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Ho Ho Ho ……..Hard to believe it’s that time of year again…..
Christmas greetings to all of our Travel Club members and their families……..
We have all enjoyed watching the gardens spring into colour and now look forward to some long hot summer days. So best wishes from all the team here at Marlborough Travel for a very Merry Christmas and we hope you all have a chance to relax and spend some wonderful family time together….. And we know of course you will have all been very good during the year so enjoy opening your pressies!!
Great News! We now have our Travel Club online at
www.marlboroughtravel.co.nz so this means you can read previous newsletters, trip comments and view photos. If you have comments or photos you would like us to put on our website please don’t hesitate to email them through.
If you no longer wish to receive our newsletter, please contact us. Please note that this is a subscription based newsletter and if you have received this newsletter in error please let us know. You can unsubscribe to this newsletter by clicking the link at the bottom of the page, Or email us at
info@marlboroughtravel.co.nz
Also a reminder that all trips are based on minimum and maximum numbers so if you are interested in a trip please give us a call or send an email as soon as possible. Also keep in mind that we do offer larger groups a discount, please contact us for details.
All the very best wishes for Christmas and the New Year
Fay and the Marlborough Travel Club team...
Chris and I were very pleased to host our recent Marlborough Travel Club adventure to the Chatham Islands….. In my mind I have always conjured up an image of small rugged islands of isolation and mystery.
After our wonderful week across there my opinion of the Islands being isolated remains but the size is somewhat larger than I had anticipated. Low lying and quite vast in places…. Most interesting to learn of the different geology that makes up these Islands including Greywacke, limestone and volcanic balsalt.
Our small group of 14 including Chris and myself enjoyed experiencing a completely different lifestyle from the “Mainland” NZ. The Chatham Islanders impressed us with their unique culture and history: Moriori, 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 friendly and most welcoming to us and more than happy to share their little corner of the world in a hospitable way.
Every day was full with a tour organised by the Hotel. We really missed the picnic lunches when we arrived home…
Another delight was discovering the Islanders love of life and laughter. Their wonderful sense of humour and common sense gets them through times of hardship and everyone pitches in to help as we learned on Pitt Island where the following day we visited it was “docking day” where the entire Pitt Island population arrives to get the job done, followed by a feed of lambs tails!!
Thanks to all who made the effort to join us on this inaugural trip…
Sue
We have had numerous enquires to return to the Chatham’s
14th to 21st October 2008. Please register your interest now.
Depart Marlborough Travel Depot 8.30 am
Depart Nelson at 4 pm.
Enjoy a fun day in Nelson, great shopping, have 3 hours in Nelson shopping, then we will visit the Christmas Shop at Eyebright & the Richmond Mall.
Cost: $35.00pp
Minimum numbers apply.
Join us for a unique wine and food cruise experience. Be amazed at the natural beauty and tranquillity of this stunning area. Learn the history of the Sounds and Mussel farming.
Enjoy freshly steamed mussels with a complementary glass of Sauvignon Blanc. This cruise departs daily from the Havelock marina to cruise through the inner Pelorus Sound and up through the Kenepuru Sound. You will see all of the fabulous scenic areas of the Kenepuru along with various land uses for forestry, farming, lodges and holiday homes. On the way our skipper will keep you informed with a commentary on the region, the history and the people who have settled here over 6 generations.
Ex Havelock Marina - Jetty 6
Report 1.15pm Depart 1.30pm
Return approx 4.30pm
For bookings 1st to 14th December.
This cruise retails @ $99.00 per person
Our Marlborough Travel Club “special price $79.00 per person”
Looking for a great Christmas present?
Why not consider a d’Urville Island Cruise Voucher?
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
Our first tour was so well received we have decided to do a return visit.
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.
Tuesday 1st April
8.30am: Depart from Blenheim, we will travel via the Coastal route to Motueka.
Pick-ups also available from Nelson.
Wednesday 2nd April
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.
Thursday 3rd April.
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.
Join us for a day of local knowledge.
Depart Marlborough Travel Depot at 9.30am.
Take the time to enjoy Havelock, and the Tawa Walk (35 minutes) at Pelorus Bridge (optional or you may rather have a coffee at the café).
Explore Whakamarina Valley with a local historian, learn the history and view old gold mining sites.
Enjoy your picnic lunch then we will travel around the Queen Charlotte Drive to view both the Pelorus and Queen Charlotte Sounds, Momarangi and return via Picton to Blenheim.
Approx time arrival in Blenheim 4.30pm.
Cost $45.00 per person
Bring your own picnic lunch. We will supply tea and coffee.
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!
Our Fiordland trip this year had very good feed back, some we aim to improve on.
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.
We need people interested to contact us
In 2006 Chris and Sue travelled with friends on a safari to Kenya. They both suggested that this would be a tour our travel club members would really enjoy and remember forever!
This trip will be an adventure through this stunning African country.
You will get up close and personal with wild animals!
You will be in Kenya from the 13th – 25th September.
Highlights include:
Staying at a Wildlife Conservation Park
Out on Safari viewing big game animals in the wild
Camping out amongst the stars in luxury ensuited tent campsites (very safe)
Staying at a luxury beach resort on the shores of the Indian Ocean
This is a once in a lifetime experience!
We can organise your flights for you to and from Nairobi if you wish
(i.e Christchurch – Sydney – Dubai – Nairobi with a stopover in Dubai)
Or you may want to organise your own flights in conjunction with some other holiday either before or after the Kenyan trip.
Registration for this tour is now being taken. This tour will only allow a maximum for 10 people.
Approximate Cost at this stage is $16,000 per person on twin share basis.
Includes a p/c sum for air transfers CHCH – CHCH @ $3,000 per person
For more information on any of the tours please contact Fay and the team at Marlborough Travel.
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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Contact Us 
Greenshell Mussel Cruise
d’Urville Island Day Cruise
Explore Stewart Island Aboard ‘The Affinity’