Unseen 

Queen 

Charlotte 

Sounds 

Fly-Cruise

Fly with Air New Zealand to Blenheim around midday. On arrival we meet our local guide Dennise. We will start with a casual lunch before visiting Peter Jackson’s Omaka Heritage Centre, NZ’s world class WW1 & WW2 aviation museum. If aviation is not your thing, we’ll offer an alternative! Later in the afternoon we transfer to our hotel for the next two nights.

Hotel d’Urville,
52 Queen Street, Blenheim
Breakfast at a local café (included)
First night dinner at a local restaurant (included)

We explore Blenheim and the beautiful surrounding Marlborough wine region. We’ll stop at a high vantage point to view the whole Awatere Valley then head to Tipuari Wines where winemaker Olivia tells you about their wines and the stories of the area over a winetasting High Tea. We return to town mid-afternoon and head out again early in the evening to our Bon Voyage Dinner at Clos Henri’s Sainte Solange Chapel.

Mid-morning we’ll drive north to Picton with time for a light lunch before farewelling Dennise and joining Heritage Explorer this afternoon at the marina. The captain and expedition team will be waiting to welcome you aboard and show you to your cabin.
You will have the opportunity to familiarise yourself onboard then join the captain on the bridge or fellow travellers on deck as we set sail along Queen Charlotte Sound this afternoon.

First sighted in 1642 by Abel Janszoon Tasman while seeking shelter for his ships Heemskerck and Zeehaen from a storm near d’Urville Island, it was Captain James Cook who would first set foot here aboard the Endeavour during his five visits to Ship Cove, his New Zealand base between 1770 and 1777, in what he would call Queen Charlotte Sound.

We have three full days to explore the waterways, islands, walkways and tracks of scenic Queen Charlotte Sound. Today we plan to explore Tory Channel where the skeletal remains of the Perano Whaling Station provides a reminder of the region’s early whaling history and perhaps follow in their footsteps up to the lookout on Arapawa Island where epic views across the channel can be enjoyed. We also plan to visit Ships Cove to explore the region and learn of its history by visiting Captain Cook’s memorial inauguration in 1913 and perhaps walking through ancient native bush to Ships Cove Waterfall.

A true expedition day, today we look to explore sections of New Zealand’s famed Queen Charlotte Walkway, once a network of pioneer day bridle paths. One of the country’s most diverse coastal tracks, native bush, historical bays, endless skyline ridges and unsurpassed views of the stunning Queen Charlotte Sounds. Set your own pace with opportunities for drop offs and pick ups at various Bays. Enjoy shorter walks and lunch on board or collect a packed lunch and spend the whole day immersed in nature.
Keep your eye out for dolphins and New Zealand Fur Seals as they are frequently seen in the waters throughout the sounds.

Conservation and exploration go hand in hand today as we explore the rarely-visited island sanctuaries of Motuara and Blumine Islands. Fascinating history abounds on Blumine Island where WWII military ruins await exploration, native species flourish and stunning views combine along the Oruawairua Track of this former Pilot and Signal Station Reserve, sheep farm and now scenic reserve.

Several rare bird species including the once wide-spread Orange-fronted Parakeet, now New Zealand’s rarest Parakeet, were translocated to the island between 2011 and 2012, in which the island is now also home to South Island Saddleback, brought back from the brink of extinction last century from 36 birds rescued in 1964. Descendants of these birds were translocated to Blumine Island in 2009. On Moturara Island journey along the scenic loop track flanked by native bush and accompanied by the soundtrack of flourishing birdlife to the island’s summit for spectacular 360-degree views of the surrounding islands, Cook Strait and the North Island (on a clear day).It has been predator-free since the early 1990’s, and is now a haven for Saddleback, South Island Robin, Yellow-crowned Parakeet and Maud Island Frogs which have all been relocated here. Motuara also serves as a creche for Rowi Kiwi.

Sailing back into Picton this morning we enjoy a final breakfast and farewells before departing the cruise. Dennise will meet you for a scenic transfer to Blenheim. There will be a farewell lunch before dropping us at Blenheim airport for our Air New Zealand return flight home.