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Well winter has certainly arrived! As you all know winter is often the best time of year to undertake a break away, with not so many tourists travelling and generally less windy days. A good opportunity to re-charge the batteries! The Marlborough Sounds generally is very calm through the winter months so if you have been thinking about going on our d’Urville Island cruise check out our trip dates below. This is a very popular cruise during the winter so remember to book early.
A new addition to the Marlborough Travel fleet is our Luxury 41 seat coach. With leather seats and onboard DVD display your tour will be one to remember! We are certain that you are going to love this coach, as it bring a real touch of class to big coach touring and even those who maybe a little unsure of bus travel will feel secure with the level space, (lots of leg room!) and comfort that this coach provides.
Coming up in August we have the Coast 2 Coast three day adventure. This trip is always well received and has the added bonus of joining the Tranz Alpine at Arthurs Pass through to Greymouth. See below for details.
If you have any questions about any of our trips please give us a call at the office
All our trips are subject to enough members to make our trips viable so remember to invite your friends!
We do offer discounts for larger groups, please contact us for details. Chris, Sue, Brent & Fay can all help you with enquires.
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 8.30am Depart from the Havelock Marina and cruise through the Pelorus Sound, past the Kenepuru Sound and out through the outer Sounds taking in the wonders of this stunning area. Visit a Greenshell Mussel Farm where your launch skipper will explain how the farm works and why mussels grow so well in the Marlborough Sounds.
Cruise past the birdlife sanctuary of Maud Island and towards the Chetwode Islands. On the way we will cruise past a NZ King Salmon Farm where your launch skipper will tell you a bit about the Salmon industry. This is a great place to spot the seals who live around the Salmon farm hoping for a free meal. Salmon will be on today's lunch menu.!!
Out of the Pelorus we will head across to d'Urville Island past the Trio and Rangitoto Islands and up to Stephens Passage for a look at Stephens Island, one of the last places in the world to have wild tuatara. While cruising around the top part of d'Urville we will stop for a nice BBQ lunch on board.
After lunch we will continue the cruise. Depending on the weather and sea conditions this could be a cruise down the western side of the island into Port Hardy and Greville Harbour or a cruise down the eastern side of d'Urville Island.
Either way we will then explore the Southern tip of the Island and cruise through the turbulent waters of French Pass. This is a real highlight as French Pass is an amazing area with some of the fastest moving (naturally occuring) water in the world.
After French Pass its off into Catherine Cove with a stop at the Wilderness Resort for a short time for people to go ashore and stretch the legs.
Cruising home in the afternoon through the Pelorus Sound to Havelock, arriving at approximately 6.30pm.
 The total cost is $195.00 per person, morning tea and lunch included.
Transport is available from Blenheim, cost including cruise is $210.00 per person.
Please note: This cruise is subject to the weather, if the weather is not favourable we will contact you the night prior to arrange an alternative day.
Join us for a 3 day fun trip.
Depart Marlborough Travel Depot at 8am and travel to and overnight in Christchurch.
Next day either board the Tranz Alpine Express over Arthurs Pass to Greymouth or travel on the bus.
Visit Shanty Town and have a look around Greymouth. We will overnight here and return to Blenheim via the West Coast subtropical rainforests. Punakaiki Pancake Rocks, Paparoa National Park, through the Buller Gorge to arrive in Blenheim approx 5.30pm.
Includes: Travel, 2 x nights accommodation, continental breakfasts, entry to Shanty Town.
Optional Extras: Tranz Alpine Express $64.00
Cost: $395.00 twin share or double per person or $475.00 single supplement.
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Ever been to Karamea? –Recommended by Our Travel Club Members.
I certainly haven’t but always wanted to see ‘what was there’ that everyone talks about.
Now will be a good time, join us. Karamea is the closest town to the South Western entrance to the Heaphy Track. Karamea has a mild climate and beautiful surroundings and has that ‘off the beaten track’ feel which is not often found nowadays.
Maybe walk part of the Heaphy Track (even 5 minutes), visit the museum for local history.
The Last Resort is largely hand built, has a charming atmosphere, and is warm and friendly.
Enjoy a relaxing spa (own cost) 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 to stop.
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.
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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.
Deposit of $300.00 will be required ASAP to secure this trip. First 16 people to pay will go!
BOOKING UPDATE - Only 4 spaces remain on the Chathams trip so be in quick..!!
Join us for a day of scenic touring and shopping opportunities galore. This fun day starts with an 8.30am departure from the Marlborough Travel office heading for Lake Rotoiti, part of the fabulous Nelson Lakes scenic reserve. On arrival at the Lakes you will have a chance for a short walk through the reserve – about 15 minutes return. Morning tea will then be served. After this we will continue on to Nelson and an afternoon of retail therapy.
If you don’t know Nelson well your Marlborough travel staff will be happy to advise you of some luncheon options in the city. The coach will depart for Blenheim via Havelock at 3pm with arrival back in Blenheim approximately 4.30pm.
Cost of this day tour - $45.00 per person
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Enjoy an afternoon leaving our Marlborough Travel Depot at 12.30pm, travel through to Picton, Waikawa Bay, view the magnificent Port Underwood Summit, looking across to the land of Horahora-Kakahu then onto Oyster Bay where there is a main wharf for the area for fishing and mussel farming. In 1838 HMS Pelorus called here for wood, water & repairs. At Ocean Bay we will stop for afternoon tea, a fresh muffin, tea or coffee.
Travelling on towards Robin Hood Bay we will see the Original Whalers Cottage which served as a School House from 1886 to 1917 with a maximum of 18 pupils and with boarders staying at the homestead.
Nearing the end of the Port Underwood Drive is Whites Bay, where the South Island terminus of the first telegraph cable linked the North and South Islands in 1866.
Rarangi is an exposed beach popular for surfcasting fishing and sea front living.
Arriving back in Blenheim approx 4pm
Cost $30.00 including afternoon tea.
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Visit Dominion Salt for a 1 hour tour; find out about the Salt harvest. We will travel down the beautiful East Coast, with its stunning coastal alpine scenery. We will stop at The
Store at Kekerengu for morning tea (own cost), see the fur seals along the way. At Kaikoura the population is approx 4,000 and is one of the few places where the mountains nearly meet the sea. Kaikoura in Maori means – to eat Crayfish. We will have time to wander this lovely town, have lunch (own cost).
We will visit Kaikoura Winery which has the most amazing views, wine tasting is $4 which will give you 7 wines to try. Of course feel free to admire the view, enjoy a tea/coffee if you would prefer.
Cost: $45.00 per person
Depart Marlborough Travel Depot at 9am – returning approx 4pm.
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 Always popular – great day out: Fantastic shopping – garden, Christmas – food, art & craft in fact just about everything. We have a waiting list which started on our return to Blenheim last year, so don’t delay.
Over 190 stalls
Depart our Marlborough Travel Depot at 7am, stop in Kaikoura for coffee, returning at approx 6.30 pm.
Cost: $65.00 includes entry fee.
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Thanks again for your interest in our Marlborough Travel Club. Please feel free to pass this on to friends and family, and please let us know if you have people who would like to join up to receive this newsletter.
We are always keen to hear your feedback on the newsletter, ideas for trips, or thoughts on how the club should be developed, so feel free to ring Brent or Fay at the Marlborough Travel office on 03 577 9997.
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