Marlborough Sounds wilderness accommodation
| country: | New Zealand |
| location: | Marlborough Sounds |
| price: | From NZ $110 - NZ $120 per night per couple for a cabin, from NZ $140 - NZ $160 per night per couple for a cottage. Discounts on stays longer than one week. Cottage sleeps 5. Cabins sleep 2 & 3. |
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
description
A remote hide away at the edge of the world!
The nature reserve is part of a 160 hectare peninsula in the Outer Pelorus of the beautiful Marlborough Sounds. When you arrive at the wharf, we'll have a 4WD vehicle waiting to take you up your comfortable, cosy, hideaway at 180 meter above sea level. It's one of few accommodations in the Marlborough Sounds to offer such breathtaking views! Explore walking tracks, native mature bush, secluded beaches (kayaks available), or just relax on the deck. There is also an opportunity to have a guided conservation tour.
There are several walking tracks. Some run over the ridge with 360 degree views over the Pelorus Sound. Other tracks end up on the isolated beautiful beaches, great for swimming and pic-nics. On calm days beginner Kayaks are available to explore the shores of the bay, where you will even find breeding Shags! There are also inside activities like puzzles, paint and games available.
The nature reserve is part of a 160 hectare peninsula in the Outer Pelorus of the beautiful Marlborough Sounds. When you arrive at the wharf, we'll have a 4WD vehicle waiting to take you up your comfortable, cosy, hideaway at 180 meter above sea level. It's one of few accommodations in the Marlborough Sounds to offer such breathtaking views! Explore walking tracks, native mature bush, secluded beaches (kayaks available), or just relax on the deck. There is also an opportunity to have a guided conservation tour. There are several walking tracks. Some run over the ridge with 360 degree views over the Pelorus Sound. Other tracks end up on the isolated beautiful beaches, great for swimming and pic-nics. On calm days beginner Kayaks are available to explore the shores of the bay, where you will even find breeding Shags! There are also inside activities like puzzles, paint and games available.
rooms, food and facilities
The cottage: Lovely, cosy home with 2 bedrooms, one with a queen size bed the other with a trio bunk (double bed with a single over), 1 bathroom, kitchen and warm woodburner. Great deck with magical views!The cabins: Small but cosy and what a view! One cabin with a trio bunk (double bed with a single over), bathroom facilities access from the outside of the cabin. The other cabin has two single beds with an ensuite. The cabins are connected with a kitchen.
Family friendly: There are plenty of activities for children. They can build huts, have a great time at the beach and play with the Weka's, the New Zealand flightless bird that is very tame.
Baby friendly: The cottage is suitable for children. Cot and toys are available. The deck is fenced and safe for children to play on.
Walking friendly: There are several tracks, some have easy access, some are a bit more moderate. We are always happy to drive people to and from the beach. Tracks are hand made, therefore very natural and in line with the beautiful surroundings.
how to find us
By air: The nearest airports are Nelson and Blenheim. By boat: The mailboat and watertaxi both leave from Havelock, which is half an hour drive from Blenheim and a 55 minutes drive from Nelson.
how this holiday makes a difference
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About 12 years ago, on a hike, we stumbled on this beautiful bit of land. We fell in love and purchased it. Soon we realised that the land was plagued by introduced species that slowly destroyed the bush. We had to take quick action. Over the years we have built up an outstanding pest management program that after twelve years is under control. We still battle with the pigs but are in the process of fencing off the accommodation areas.
 Our luxury eco cabins are built from pinetree timber (which grows locally) and are well insulated. The cottage has a woodburner, we use only 'dead' firewood and non native tree species. We have used as many recycled materials as we could, such as doors and windows for the cottage. This also adds charm to the building. The cabins have solar power and are fitted with 12 Volt lights. Both cabin and cottage have oil lamps and candles. Power for the cottage is partly generated by an efficient and low noise Honda generator for a few hours a night, after that it will run from the battery inverter. Rainwater is collected from the roofs and it tastes delicious! We filter it down to 1 Micron. Water is also pumped up from the spring which is used for the drier periods. We ask guest to use water wisely and to re-use their towels. We buy food as much as we can from our bulk food store, which reduces packing material. Groceries are transported in crates so we don't need plastic bags. We make use of the mailboat, delivering groceries once a week rather then going out to pick them up ourselves, reducing fuel usage. Food scraps will be composted for the garden, that is, if the flightless Weka bird will leave something behind. The reserve caters for low numbers. Usually no more then 8 people, excluding our family. This will make your stay even more valuable, and allow us to maintain a minimal environmental impact. The reserve has 38 hectare protected by a Queen Elizabeth Trust covenant. We strive to return the peninsula back to its original state, a place where you can enjoy the environment as it once was! The coming year we have planned a couple of projects which we will start early 2007. There will be an enclosure built for the rare Green Gecko under license from the Department of Conservation. A bird pond in the bush will be established to create a little haven for the birds specially in the dry summer months. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |