A sound encounter

Whether you’re looking for a quick dip in Queen Charlotte Sound or an extended foray in the Marlborough Sounds, there’s an abundance of cruise, hike and stay options, writes Mike Yardley.

The glossy deep blue water of Queen Charlotte Sound gleamed with photo-shoot-ready perfection. Picton had dawned bright and brilliant; families were taking the air on the velvety lawned waterfront, while perky cafes were humming with trade in their horse-shoe curve edging the harbour, crowned by the creamy-coloured war memorial. If you’re keen to combine cruising with a spot of walking, a winning option is to take a cruise to Ship Cove, before reboarding the vessel for the home-run from Furneaux Lodge.

Pulling out from Picton’s eye-catching marina, we passed by Kaipupu Wildlife Sanctuary, a prized mainland island that serves as a creche for kiwi. The area brims with predator-free islands and marine reserves, and we ogled dolphins, whales, shags and penguins. The sheer size of the Marlborough Sounds is astonishing, comprising 25% of New Zealand’s coastline, scalloped with countless coves and secluded sandy bays.

We soon drew near to Ship Cove, the starting point for the Queen Charlotte Track.

Throughout the 1770s, sheltered Ship Cove provided safe anchorage, food, water and timber for British voyager Captain James Cook and his crew on five separate occasions, marking some of the earliest sustained contact between Maori and Europeans. In total he spent 170 days here, and it is considered his favourite place in New Zealand.

I dabbled in the creek where Cook made home brew for his crew before surveying the magnificent Captain Cook monument commemorating his visits to the area. He hoisted the Union Jack and proclaimed sovereignty of the South Island in 1770 at Motuara Island. The information panels are illuminating, but what captivated my attention was one of the original cannons from Endeavour that adorns the monument. The cannon was salvaged from North Queensland after the Endeavour ran aground on a reef and the crew had to throw equipment overboard to free the ship.

With my walking boots firmly laced, I struck out for a taster of the Queen Charlotte Track. The full traverse from Ship Cove to Anakiwa is a multi-day affair, but itching for a sample of this celebrated trek, I embarked on the first day’s section to Furneaux Lodge. Fashioned from pioneering era bridle paths, the track was officially opened by the Department of Conservation in 1991, in conjunction with private landowners, who continue to help in its maintenance. The 15km section starts with a steep, thigh-burning haul, climbing away from the beach, through regenerating native forest. But after that initial gut-buster, the rest of the four-hour trail was a breeze, with gentle undulations along a panoramic ridge line.

The lookout at Tawa Saddle provides incredible views across Queen Charlotte Sound, while more pixel-burning vantage points loom large as you descend into Resolution Bay. The final stretch follows a well-graded path over a ridge and into Endeavour Inlet, threading along the shoreline. An added surprise was the short detour to see one of New Zealand’s largest and oldest trees — a 1000-year-old Rimu in Howden Forest. Toddle across the finish line with a flourish, sweetly surrendering to the laid-back hospitality embrace of Furneaux Lodge. Built by the Howden family over 110 years ago, the original homestead throngs with thirsty patrons, chilling out, swapping tales and lapping up the irrepressible sense of secluded paradise.

I leapt at the chance to stay the night at this heritage lodge, luxuriating in one of the recently refreshed in Endeavour Suites. Light and airy with floor to ceiling windows affording expansive views, the elemental escape was accentuated by a dramatic July storm that ripped through the inlet, as the wind roared like a freight train. Furneaux Lodge’s expansive lawns, lush and rolling down to the water, are a particularly distinctive feature. It’s just the spot for some lazy snoozing in a hammock. I also enjoyed the hot tub, set to a sizzling 39degC. Dinner was fiendishly good. I feasted on popcorn clams, wild pork croquettes and roasted Brussel sprouts, washed down with a Boom Town Pelorus Pilsner.

Whisked back to Picton the following morning, I wandered around the waterfront to pay a visit to the riveting Edwin Fox Museum. It is the world's oldest preserved merchant sailing ship and the only surviving ship that transported convicts to Australia. Built in 1853 in India, she also carried early migrants to New Zealand and troops in the Crimean War. The wealth of history is head-spinning, all beautifully curated in the museum. But unlike the Vasa in Sweden or the Mary Rose in the United kingdom, what I particularly love about the Edwin Fox is you can walk into its immense hull. Evocative smells of yore linger. Up on the deck, I was struck by the bunks previously slept in by Australia-bound convicts. The lovely museum staff told me about some of their exciting development plans including virtual reality experiences whereby you can ‘‘meet’’ some of the convicts who were spirited away to Australia.

For a second dip with the watery wonders of the Sounds, I jumped on board a Pelorus mail boat, which is the longest officially licensed NZ Post mail boat run in the country. Operating for 102 years, this majestic mail run cruise takes you through the far-flung reaches of Kenepuru and Pelorus Sounds — even into the outer sounds around Maud Island. Undeniably a lifeline to the hardy residents who live in the most strikingly remote pockets, the biggest thrill to match the knockout scenery were the fleeting encounters with some of the locals. I became acquainted with a chap who operates an online shoes sales business from deep in the Sounds, the online maths teacher and the fabulous Foote family, who have been tending to Wilsons Bay Farm since 1881.

We also met Dave and his dog Billy. Dave’s nickname is ‘‘The Conductor’’, because he’s been struck by lightning twice!

My skipper Leroy and assistant Tiria were effervescent hosts, as they delivered mail and groceries across the Sounds. I lost count out how many dogs lined up on the jetty with their owners to eagerly greet the boat. Every dog was given free biscuits by Tiria. I also happily took up the option to enjoy a short bush walk on the Francis Dillon Bell track to heart-stealing Jacobs Bay, with soul-stirring views across Pelorus Sound. It was a soothing, serene encounter. No wonder this is the most popular cruise in the Marlborough Sounds.

Before arriving back in Havelock, my trip on the mail boat ventured through a mussel farm, where 70% of New Zealand’s mussels are grown, of which 70% are exported worldwide, notably to China, Japan and the United States.

Feeling peckish, I popped into Mills Bay Mussels where I was royally treated by Becky and Rose. The Mills Bay Mussels Tasting Room & Eatery is located in the Havelock Marina — right at the front of their Mussel Packhouse, so you can gorge yourself stupid on the freshest mussels imaginable.

 

If you go

For more information, visit
www.marlboroughnz.com,
www.edwinfoxsociety.com,
www.cougarline.co.nz