|
Isn't winter just perfect..!! Frosty starts mean beautiful clear sunny days, just perfect for cruising the Marlborough Sounds. So grab the opportunity to head out on our launch Odyssea for a cruise to d'Urville Island.
_____________________________________________________________________________
 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.
_____________________________________________________________________________
Named after the French Explorer Jules Dumont d’Urville the island is an area of approximately 150 square kilometres. The island is separated from the mainland by French Pass through which water passes at up to eight knots (14 km/h) at each tide. D'Urville investigated the passage for several days in 1827, and damaged his ship passing through it.
The history of d’Urville stretches back many hundreds of years earlier with d’Urville being an important trading area of Maori and a major source of Argillite rock used for tools. Historian Gerrard Hindmarsh wrote
“Every coastal tribe in the country could recite sailing directions to the mineral-rich mass at the north-west tip of the South Island…”
Maori called the island Rangitoto ki te Tonga, Rangitoto of the South, Rangitoto a reference to the red skies (of sunset), or black rock, after the argillite
.
_____________________________________________________________________________
MV Odyssea
Odyssea is a 21 metre power catamaran, a very large and stable launch based in the Havelock Marina. With large lounge areas and viewing decks on two levels this vessel offers all of the comforts for cruising the Marlborough Sounds. Onboard we have great indoor areas (with heaters!!) for everyone to be inside if they wish.
_____________________________________________________________________________
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 at the Marlborough Travel office on 03 577 9997.
_____________________________________________________________________________
Please note that this is a subscription based newsletter and if you have received this in error please use the "unsubscribe" button below or contact Marlborough Travel as soon as possible.
|
Contact Us 
