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Sea kayaking, Marlborough SoundsPicton HarbourPictonThe Coastal Pacific Railway, Kaikoura CoastMyths & Legends TourA delightful way to tour the sounds is bycruising in the company of a local Maori family.Your skipper and first mate, husband and wifePete and Takutai, are passionate about this partof New Zealand and their enthusiasm is infectious.Over the course of this full day trip through thesheltered inland waterways you will learn aboutthe amazing biodiversity of the sounds as well aslocal Maori legends. Your boat, Tutanekai, is abeautiful old two-masted classic launch with asomewhat eclectic character making this acharming way to experience one of NewZealand’s most beautiful areas.PictonPicton comes to life during New Zealand’ssummer months as many visitors pass through ontheir journey from the North Island. The hustleand bustle dies down during the winter, but theInterislander Ferry still ships people across theCook Strait on a regular basis. Although normallyseen in passing, Picton is actually a sweet,characterful town offering a great deal to thosewho choose to stay for a few nights. As well as allthe activities in the sounds, Picton boasts a varietyof busy cafés and good restaurants, and enjoyspretty countryside surroundings.The Peppers Portage Hotel,Marlborough SoundsThe Peppers Portage Hotel has a rich historyas a special holiday place for New Zealanders.The resort is tucked into a wide quiet bay andthe guest rooms are spread throughout thegardens with a range of views, particularly of thespectacular Kenepuru Sound. The roomsthemselves are relatively simple in style but allhave en suite facilities and most have small privatedeck areas. The main building has cosy loungeareas clustered around an open fire, a bar withconservatory and outdoor deck, and breathtakingviews. The key feature of the Portage is thewealth of experiences and activities on offer forguests. From short rambles to full day hikes,sightseeing cruises, sea kayaking and wine tastingsessions with a local Marlborough winemaker, itmakes an excellent base from which to explorethe area.McCormick House, PictonMcCormick House, PictonThis delightfully restored Edwardian countryhouse sits in large, mature native gardens whichare home to tuis (a member of the honeyeaterfamily), fantails and bellbirds. The guest bedroomsare all individually designed with quirky featuressuch as the claw-foot bath in the Captain’s Room,deluxe multi-jet spa shower in the Palm Roomand blue lighting in the Boatshed Room. Enjoy asumptuous breakfast of fresh local produce in thedining room before setting off for a day exploringthe nearby Marlborough Sounds’ walking trails,boating on the sounds or wine tasting in thevineyards surrounding Picton and Blenheim.Coastal Pacific RailwayLinking the port of Picton with the city ofChristchurch, the Coastal Pacific Railway offers afantastic opportunity to discover the east coast ofthe South Island. The track passes through theundulating hills and vineyards of the Marlboroughregion and traces the east coast through Kaikoura.With the dramatic peaks of the Kaikoura Rangeon one side and the crashing South PacificOcean on the other, the scenery is incredible.The journey takes around five hours to complete.For information about other railway routes inNew Zealand please see page 47 and 58.View from the Peppers Portage Hotelwww.audleytravel.com/newzealand l 01993 838 820 l South Island 39