Day 1 Arrive Marlborough Sounds

Arrive in Picton (by ferry from Wellington or by train from Christchurch).

Here board a water taxi and cruise from Picton to Torea Bay where a courtesy vehicle will collect you and transfer them to the Portage Resort. The hotel and accommodations were extensively upgraded about 5 years ago. It is not deluxe but a very nice 3 ½ - 4 star in a wonderful isolated setting with prime waterfront location surrounded by bush-clad hills. Each suite in Kowhai Lodge has a super king bed and private balcony from where there are great views out over Kenepuru Sound. It is a popular anchorage for cruising boats (not ocean liners), sea kayaking, and hikers as the Queen Charlotte Walkway passes close to the hotel. Kowhai Lodge room.

The Portage Resort

Breakfast at the resort.

Free day. Among your options are to hike (guided or unguided) on the popular Queen Charlotte Walkway. You can walk north or south on the walkway from The Portage. Or take a launch further along the Sound and then walk back to the Portage. The views from the track out over the sparking waters of the Queen Charlotte Sound are marvellous. There are some very nice areas of native rainforest along the way. Another option is sea kayaking; or a cruise to a mussel farm on Kenepuru Sound to taste these delicacies and sip the famous Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc.

The Portage Resort

Day 3 Marlborough Wineries - Nelson - Abel Tasman National Park (B.L.)

Breakfast at the resort.

Then transfer back to Picton by water taxi. Meet your private car driver and travel across the hill to Blenheim in the heart of the Marlborough Wine Region. This is New Zealand's top wine producing area, it's wines winning awards around the world. Among the leading wineries are Grove Mill, Hunters, Alan Scott Estate, Shingle Peak, Cloudy Bay and Montana.

At Nelson Airport board a light aircraft for a short flight into Awaroa Lodge. There is no road access to Awaroa lodge in Abel Tasman National Park. In 2004 there was a major upgrade of the rooms at the lodge and construction of 10 superior grade rooms and 4 family suites. Now 26 rooms at the lodge - 12 x superior grade, 10 x deluxe grade and 4 x family suites. The lodge is nestled in native rainforest 300 m from the golden sands of Awanui Beach. It is a perfect base for bush walking, sea kayaking or simply relaxing on the beach. There are excursions by Aqua Taxi available daily to other parts of Abel Tasman National Park. Meals are available from an on site cafe / bar. Superior grade room.

Awaroa Lodge

Day 4 Abel Tasman National Park (CB.)

Continental breakfast.

Free day to relax on a beach, swim in the sea, kayak or go hiking through the rainforest.

Awaroa Lodge

Day 5 Abel Tasman National Park - Nelson Airport (CB.)

Continental breakfast at the lodge.

Then return to Nelson Airport by airplane. Here check in for your departure flight or collect your rental car for onward travel. (Time permitting you may want to see some of the Nelson attractions such as Hoglund's Glass Studios and the Wearable Arts before departing).