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Well what a lovely summer we have had. Sorry I have not been personally available over our busy summer period, but there is always someone in our office that can help you.
Please contact us for more details on any of our trips and keep in mind that all our trips are subject to enough members to make our trips viable. So please invite your friends to come along.
We do offer discounts for larger groups, please contact us for details.
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info@marlboroughtravel.co.nz
Fay and the Marlborough Travel Club team...
Blenheim to Blenheim
So much fun was held by all last year, and the fish that was bought home!
Travel from Blenheim to Christchurch and fly to Chatham Islands and return.
Stay in Hotel Chathams right on the water front in Waitangi, situated in the scenic Petre Bay.Included is 7 nights twin share or double accommodation, all food – including breakfast, packed lunches, evening 3-course meals specialising in local produce and seafood.
Daily tours throughout Chatham Island with tour guide knowledgeable in local history & Culture, flora & fauna, landforms etc.
Sunday is ½ day fishing day, then to Admiral Farm for farm style bbq lunch.There are some wonderful walks i.e. Wharekauri, Okawa and Ranga Ika just to mention a few.
Cost: $2995.00 per person share twin or double basis. (same price as last year).
Optional extras:
½ fishing trips $100.00 per person – Minimum numbers required – weather permitting.
OR
Full day tour Pitt Island, departing from Owenga, travel to Flower Pot, ½ day guided land tour and lunch on Pitt Island, then 2 hours fishing. Full circumnavigation of Pitt Island, encompassing views of the other outer islands (Mangere, South East etc), or if you prefer you can fly over $300.00 per person. – Minimum numbers required.
Chris & Sue hosted last years trip, a couple of their comments were:
We experienced a completely different lifestyle from the “Mainland” NZ. The Chatham Islanders impressed us with their unique culture and history: Moriri, Maori, Whalers, Sealers, Missionaries and later farmers and fisherman ..all in the melting pot to produce the eclectic tapestry of their environment and the wonderful local people who live there today. They were so friendly and most welcoming to us and more than happy to share their little corner of the world.
Close off date: Friday 25th July
Deposit of $300.00 will be required ASAP to secure this trip. First 16 people to pay will go!
Please register your interest now.
8.30am: Departure from Havelock Marina – Jetty 6
d’Urville Island cruises on our launch MV Odyssea have proven to be very popular, as many of us have never been to the outer Sounds. Its a fabulous vessel, large and stable with all of the home comforts. On todays cruise we will depart out of Havelock and cruise through the Pelorus Sound passing the Greenshell™ mussel and salmon farms which are both included in our lunch menu. on the way a nice morning tea will be served or alternativlely Odyssea has a full licenced bar so sit back and enjoy.
d’Urville Island is New Zealand’s 5th largest Island. (Same size as Singapore). We will cruise past some of the most amazing raw, eroded stark cliff faces to ominous rock formations and farmlands. A full commentary will be given throughout our cruise. On previous cruises we have been totally captivated with true stories of the people and their lives on d’Urville.
The cruise will go via Maud Island, Duffers Reef, the Chetwode Islands, the Trio and Rangitoto Islands. We will go into Catherine Cove and go ashore at the d’Urville Island Wilderness Resort for a short time. Maybe a quick drink or cappuccino.
 Weather permitting we will complete a circumnavigation of d’Urville continuing down the west side of the Island via Port Hardy, to Greville Harbour and through the infamous waters of French Pass. Morning tea will be served on departure from Havelock. The cruise will stop in the stunning Greville Harbour where you will enjoy a sumptuous BBQ lunch on-board, afternoon tea will be served on the journey home.
Return time into Havelock Marina is approximately 6.30 pm. (may vary according to tides weather, etc).
Cost: $195.00 per person ex Havelock
$210.00 per person ex Blenheim return
Includes: Cruise, morning and afternoon tea, freshly steamed mussels, sumptuous BBQ lunch.
Minimum and maximum numbers apply
5 night cruise “Great Fishing”
Departing Blenheim, overnight in Oamaru and Invercargill, and return via the West Coast, overnight in either Queenstown or Wanaka and Hokitika.
Board the ‘Affinity’ a comfortable, friendly vessel for 5 nights.
Access this remote and exciting part of New Zealand.
Rugged coastlines, enjoy Port Adventure and explore lovely golden beaches and inlets.
Visit Ulva Island bird sanctuary and see native birds.
Visit an old whaler’s repair base and hear of the history from the days of the Antarctic whalers.
Catch some Stewart Island cod.
Cost: $3,450.00 per person on twin/double share basis.
Includes: Travel, accommodation, continental breakfast daily, all meals and activities onboard Affinity only, Stewart Island Ferry crossing.
Limited 14 people.
Deposit of $500.00 per person due on booking
Marlborough Travel Club Members have first option on booking as this will be advertised.
Close off date: Friday 11th April.
Please note: Change of dates
Farewell Spit is New Zealand’s longest sandpit system and one of our most important wetlands areas; it is one of only 3 areas in NZ designated as a Wetland of International Importance and as it is right on our doorstep it should definitely be on every Marlburian’s “must see” list. Access to the Spit is restricted to permit holders so don’t miss this great opportunity to visit this unique and precious nature reserve.
Accommodation is at The Junction Hotel in Takaka.
Sit back, relax and enjoy the drive from Blenheim to Nelson and onto Golden Bay with stops along the way for morning tea & lunch. Own cost.
Wednesday 30 April
8.30am: Depart from Blenheim, we will travel via the Coastal route to Motueka.
Pick-ups also available from Nelson.
Thursday 1 May
Early start today. Enjoy a continental breakfast, we will depart The Hotel at 8am and travel to Collingwood.
From the information centre at Cape Farewell we will go on a private 4WD Farewell Spit Tour. Enjoy a picnic lunch. The tour will be approx 6 hours. After the tour we will head back and spend the night in Takaka.
Friday 2 May
There will be time to do some exploring around Golden Bay before starting our journey back to Blenheim. We will travel to Nelson via Upper Moutere, arriving home approx 5.30 pm.
Cost per person: $395.00 double or twin share
$425.00 single accommodation
Includes: Coach Transport from Blenheim, Farewell Spit 4WD Tour includes a picnic lunch,
2 nights’ accommodation, continental breakfasts, dinners,
Saturday and Monday lunch additional.
10.00am Depart from Marlborough Travel depot. Visit a local garden and enjoy morning tea.
Our next stop will be at The Nutt Ranch. Here you will taste a range of Hazelnut products from roasted hazelnuts to dukkah. Enjoy your picnic lunch here as well.
Heading towards the Wairau Valley our next stop is Ormond Aquaculture, where organic Salmon and fresh water crayfish are farmed. Here you will have a tour of the farm and learn about the operations of the salmon farm. This company have received environmental awards for their chemical free and environmentally friendly produce.
Our next step is the Leighvander Cottage which offers all the delights of yesteryear. Delicious Lavender muffins, tea and coffee will be served for afternoon tea before we head for home.
Our last stop will be an opportunity to visit the Jaymar soap shop.
Arrival time back in Blenheim will be at approximately 4.30 pm.
Cost per person: $45.00pp – Includes a picnic lunch. Minimum Numbers Apply.
Join us for a 3 day fun trip. Hugely successful in the past!
Wednesday - we will depart Marlborough Travel Depot at 8am and travel to Christchurch.
Free time in the afternoon for some shopping or personal activities in Christchurch.
Thursday - you can either board the Tranz Alpine Express known as being one of the most spectacular rail journeys of the World, and travel over the Arthur’s Pass to Greymouth, where we will collect you.
Visit Shanty Town and a look around Greymouth.
Friday - we will continue home along the West Coast through subtropical rainforests, mythical sculptures of the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks, Paparoa National Park, the beautiful coastline of the West Coast, through The Buller Gorge to arrive home approx 5.30 pm.
Please register for this tour. Minimum numbers apply.
Cost: $395 twin share or double per person or $475 single supplement.
Includes: Travel, accommodation, continental breakfasts, entry to Shanty Town. Optional Extras: Tranz Alpine Express $64.00
This trip is a must do for everyone and you will remember it for years to come!
The temperature may be a little cooler than present. However this is a fantastic time of year to explore Fiordland. At this time of year the weather is very settled and there are no masses of people! The vessel you will cruise Fiordland in, has great central heating to keep you nice and warm.
Firstly depart Blenheim by coach and travel to Oamaru where we will overnight. The following day you will travel through Dunedin and across the Southland plains to the stunning lake side town of Te Anau where we will stay the night.
 The following day you will depart for Manapouri by coach. Here you will then board a boat and cruise across the stunning Lake Manapouri. Upon arrival at West Arm you will then visit the Manapouri Power Station – an amazing engineering feat in this remote location.
Then the coach will travel over the Wilmot Pass into Deep Cove, Doubtful Sound. Here you will board the vessel “Affinity”. This vessel will be your home for the next 6 nights.
On the last day of the cruise you will then be helicopted out of Dusky Sound to Manapouri – a fantastic way to view this remote and stunning landscape.
Once you have returned to Manapouri we will travel up to Queenstown. Enjoy a half day shopping in Queenstown. We will also stay the night here. The next two days will see our group travel up the West Coast with a night in Franz Josef and Punakaiki before returning to Blenheim.
If you are interested please let us know as soon as possible as maximum numbers apply. The cost below is based on twin-share only.
Cost: $ 3550.00 per person, twin share
Includes: Cruise, Transport, Continental breakfast, Helicopter flight, Accommodation, Power station visit.
Been to Karamea – Last Resort?
I certainly haven’t but always wanted to see ‘what was there’.
So now would be a good time. Karamea is the closest town to the South Western entrance to the Heaphy Track.
Karamea is a secluded haven situated at the end of the road. It is flanked by the bush covered mountains of the Kahurangi National Park and the other side is the Tasman Sea. Karamea has a mild climate and beautiful surroundings and has that ‘off the beaten track’ feel which is not often found nowadays.
Walk part of the Heaphy Track (even 5 minutes), visit the museum for local history, estuaries.
The Last Resort is largely hand built, has a charming atmosphere, and is warm and friendly.
Enjoy a relaxing spa at the Last Resort which is situated beside the river.
Visit a natural Nikau palm plantation. Bring a picnic lunch for our first day, we will find a nice place on the way.
Cost: $365.00 per person. Includes travel, twin share or double rooms with ensuites, 2 x 3 course dinners, 2 x cooked breakfast, picnic lunch at Karamea.
Optional Extras: massage therapy, spa, sunbed, trip to Oparara Valley.
For more information on any of the tours please contact Chris, Sue, Fay or Brent at the Marlborough Travel office.
Phone: 03 577 9997
Fax: 03 577 9979
Email
info@marlboroughtravel.co.nz
Or look us up on the Website
www.marlboroughtravel.co.nz
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d’Urville Island Day Cruise
Explore Stewart Island Aboard ‘The Affinity’