Picton / Blenheim

 Today we are driving further North planning to stay in Blenheim for the next two nights. it is a perfect day and we decide to drive through Blenheim to Picton where we will spend a few hours.

But first our drive along the coastline is incredible. This has to be one of the most scenic drives on the South Island, diving along the narrow shelf between the mountains and the sea, with the occasional move inland only to return to the seascape. Not far out of Kaikoura we see a fee roadside kiosks selling lobsters.

The drive to Blenheim is only 129 km, expected to take about 1 hr 40 mins. No long after driving through some farmland, the road emerges along the coastline and we decide to stop to take a few photos at a lookout.

The road runs around the mountains on the sea shelf at times

We then decided to take in the view looking down on the rock shelf and were astounded to see a large colony of seals lying in the sun, swimming and some looked like they we feeding in a narrow channel/ rock pool. Many of them were pups

 

One of the pups with mum

 

This pup looked lost and was calling out trying to find a path back to masses

There was a bit of a feeding frenzy, or just fun and games going on in a narrow rock pool fed by the sea

A few lazed on the outer rocks disinterested 

A lone gull watched from an outer rock

We spent a bit longer than we had planned to watching the antics of the seals, but eventually pushed on admiring the scenery. Unfortunately there are rarely places to stop and take photos.

Along the way we needed a comfort break and a cup of coffee, so stopped at a roadside cafe in Ward, MJ's Cafe. The coffee was good  and it seemed to be a bit of a local gathering place with a full liquor licence.

Once we left the coast we were in Marlborough Wine Country. Vineyards are starting to dominate the landscape. 

It is still relatively early so we drive on through Blenheim to Picton, only another 26 km.

As soon as you leave Blenheim and get back into the rolling hills, they are covered in radiatia pine plantations. 

Finally we arrive in Picton. It is Sunday, and the place is very busy. Finding a carpark is a bit of a challenge but we eventually find one near the marina in the centre of town.

There are quite a few walking tracks around Queen Charlotte Sound, but we have limited time, so we take on a few short ones. There is a bridge crossing over the marina towards the peninsulat where most of the walks are. 

 

The marina is large and sits right in the middle of town. As well as the myriad of tour boats, there are a lot of private boats. We later discover an even bigger marina filled with yachts.

Initially we walk up the side of the marina past the Queen Charlotte Yacht Club to get a view into the Sound.

Yacht Club

Looking across the Sound we can see the Inter island Ferry Terminal with one of the  ferries in port.

We then head off to one of the walking tracks, a short one to Shelley Beach. 

Shelley Beach with the marina in the background

The walk continues on past the beach and joins up with another track to Bob's Bay. We walked most of this track before having to turn around to get back to feed the parking meter.

                        

Track to Bob's Bay

Another Inter Island ferry arrived during our walk.

The new arrival turning before reversing into their berth near the existing ferry

                            View back to the township from the Bob's Bay Track

Once the parking meter is attended to, we wander into town to get some lunch. The most imposing building in town is this old hotel.

The Oxley Hotel

The main shopping and dining precinct is to the right of the hotel and around the corner.There we found a nice cafe with views looking up the sound where you could actually get a sandwich.

After lunch, we had a quick walk around town to see the main shopping street.

A bit of Kiwi humour was on display as we walked around.

Time is moving on and there is still lot to see. Originally we thought we might do the walk at to the tip of the peninsula, called the Snout, but we have no time to do that. Instead we follow the road that runs along the peninsula and turn in to have a look at another marina, Waikawa Marina. It is by far one of the biggest marinas I have seen, with 19 arms extending from the western side of the inlet it occupies and 7 arms from the eastern shore. The breakwall is a masterpiece of engineering.

The end breakwall facing the sound

Boats on moorings in the open water showing how effective the breakwall is

This breakwall runs from the end breakwall all the way down the side of the marina

Between the two marinas here, it is astounding the number of boats that are berthed in Picton.

Next stop is a little further along the road, Karaka Point Lookout. There is another short walk that takes us past remnants of an old Maori settlement and down to a small beach. From Karaka Point we can look over to the tip of The Snout.

The Lookout

Pathway down to the beach

We also look back towards the marina we just left, giving a better impression of it sheer scale.

A departing Inter Island Ferry passes the tip of the Snout.

According to Apple Maps, the road we are on will take us back to Blenheim on a coastal route, rather than back the way we came. It looks like it will take longer, but the scenery should be worth it. So fearlessly we head off on Port Underwood Road to Blenheim.

It actually took 3 times longer, was very steep and windy and had a good stretch of gravel, but the views were outstanding. The road was narrow but there was little traffic and each time we came to a bay, there were cars and boats there, so the locals also obviously think it is worth the effort. Photo opportunities were most limited to flat ground around the bays. Here are a few shots of the bays we passed through.

Finally we emerge from our mountainous trail and look down on the massive vineyards that Marlborough is famous for.

By the time we get back to Blenheim, it is 4 pm, a bit later than we expected, but it has been an interesting day. Being Sunday night we thought we may struggle to find a restaurant open, but we dined at a Japanese Restaurant that had an admirable go at cooking Japanese food. It was also BYO, so one of the wines we bought from Ruru in Central Otago accompanied us.