The Marlborough Sounds: New Zealand just doesn’t come any cleaner or greener. Its
waters are so pure that many of these spectacular sunken sea valleys are used to
commercially cultivate a local delicacy, NZ Greenshell mussels. With over 1500 kilometres
of coastline the Marlborough Sounds also provides a pristine environment to enjoy
a number of sea-based activities from sailing and diving to kayaking and fishing.
A popular way to explore the region is by hiking the Queen Charlotte Track, a 71
kilometre trail leading from historic Ship Cove to Anakiwa. It provides breathtaking
views of the Queen Charlotte and Kenepuru Sounds en route, and is open to mountain
bikers from March through to November.
day one: nelson to kenepuru sound via havelock
Key
- Destinations
- Apex Locations
It’s 10 am and Bob and I are dragging our tails. Somehow it’s hard to believe that
we’re about to embark on the last sector of what has been an incredible scenic drive
around NZ. Bob finishes packing the boot and then we’re off, following SH6 along
the coast before turning inland to Hira and the Rai Valley. “It’s an absolute shambles
back there,” says Bob, pointing towards the boot, “I need some time to sort it all
out.” I nod, wondering what on earth he intends to do with all the paraphernalia
he’s collected throughout our travels, let alone how he intends to transport his
burgeoning boot-cellar!
We cross the one-way bridge over the Pelorus River and stop for a latté at the Pelorus
Bridge Café in the scenic reserve by the river. There’s a delicious selection of
homemade pies: chicken and camembert, venison, and wild pork with apple and kumara.
Bob eyes them hungrily but we continue on to Havelock where a relaxed holiday-like
air permeates. We park outside Creative Flair, a gallery displaying local arts and
crafts including incredible paintings of the sea by Rick Edmonds.
Bob’s totally captivated by them. He buys a print and rolls it in a tube for easy
transportation. Then we take a seat at Mussel Boys. I enjoy a large bowl of Mussel
Boys’ Chowder, while Bob tucks into a pot of steamers, fresh mussels whole in their
shell. He takes the first mussel out with his fingers, then uses the shell like
a pair of tweezers to extract the other mussels in true Mussel Boy style, as shown
on a chart on the wall. Then, looking rather sheepish, he orders some flats, fresh
whole mussels grilled on half a shell. “Piggy,” I say, laughing.
After lunch we hop aboard the Greenshell Mussel Cruise, a unique wine and food tour
that cruises the inner Pelorus and the tranquil Kenepuru Sounds. Once aboard we
learn the history of the sounds and the history of the local people, then visit
a Greenshell mussel farm where we’re shown how mussels are commercially cultivated
on longlines...
please click the link to download the full Nelson to Picton scenic drive, courtesy of apex car
rentals new zealand... the kiwi way
to read more extracts from our driving holiday's guidebook please click on any of
the following links:
north island scenic drives
south island scenic drives
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please click here (RRP $24.95 plus postage)
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