Happily Ever After (Explore)

The Mail has been delivered by boat for over 150 years in the Queen Charlotte Sounds and Beachcomber Cruises are proud to uphold that service! They are the only official licensed New Zealand Post Rural Delivery Service by water in the Queen Charlotte Sound / Tōtaranui making this a truly unique and interesting tour!

Designed to take you off the beaten tourist path so you can experience the real Queen Charlotte Sounds / Tōtaranui.

Come along on the Mail Boat Cruise and share the excitement of Mail Day as the skipper delivers the New Zealand Rural post bags, groceries and freight to the residents that call the Queen Charlotte Sound waterways home.

Operating from Monday to Saturday, no one day is the same as the route changes daily covering a different area delivering the Mail. People often ask what the best day to go is, or what route we like the best, but each mail route has its own highlights.

Sit back and relax, take in your skippers amazing wealth of knowledge as they provide an interesting and informative commentary. The Mail Boat vessel Matua presents excellent viewing areas and is the most comfortable way of cruising and taking in the vista of the waterways of the Queen Charlotte Sounds. Keep your camera handy for any wildlife encounters!

If time allows the Mail Boat Cruise will take a short stop at one of the brilliant locations within the Queen Charlotte waterways, you route will show upon check in.

See the best of Marlborough region with a beautiful cruise in the Marlborough Sounds to the predator free Motuara Island and check out the incredible WW1 and WW2 aviation exhibits at Omaka Aviation Centre.

Beachcomber Cruise in the Marlborough Sounds

Depart from Picton out to the stunning Motuara bird Island. Immerse yourself in the natural surroundings, native birdlife and stunning views for approximately 1 hour.

On arrival at this magnificent island, you will hear a chorus of songs from the local inhabitants. Sit and enjoy the bird viewing station approx 5-minute walk from jetty before following the moderate gradient track approx 800m one way around the hill with several lookout points along the way before reaching the highest point of the island (128m) there awaits fantastic views across to Ship Cove. There is a spectacular view to the North Island from the Cook Straight Lookout. Lift the lid on one of many wooden nestling boxes along the track and a sleepy Little Blue Penguin (or even a Kiwi) may just glance up to see who is watching over him.

Motuara Bird Sanctuary Island attracts bird lovers from all over the world. All introduced pests were removed in the early 1990's and the island is now home to a variety of native species having struggled to survive or died out on the mainland. Many of these are critically endangered and this Island provides them with a secure future.

Some of the wildlife you will see includes, Saddleback (tieke), NZ Robin (toutouwai), Bellbird (korimako), Tui, Grey Warbler (riroriro), NZ Pigeon (kereru), Silver Eye (tauhou), Fantail (piwakawaka), the endangered South Island Saddleback, the very rare King Shag, Maud Island Frog and the Marlborough Green Gecko.

The vessel will come and pick you up from Motuara island then transport to historic Ship Cove for a site visit before having you arrive back in Picton approx 12:30pm

* Motuara Island is a predator free island administered by the Department of Conservation.

Aviation showcase at Omaka

This experience gives you and a friend access to the Knights of the Sky' and the Dangerous Skies' exhibits at the Omaka Aviation Heritage Center.

Knights of the Sky features Sir Peter Jackson's collection of WW1 aircraft and artefacts, and in true Peter Jackson fashion, thousands of hours have gone into the displays around each aircraft, many of which depict events that took place during the war.

Dangerous Skies is a display of WW2 craft, with some infamous warbirds on display, again in cinematic quality scenes, including an impression Lockheed Hudson plane accurately recreated to appear crashed in the depths of a jungle, as the plane was during the war! This is an incredible experience for Aviation Buffs and non Buffs alike!

We think being a ‘sea postie’ is one of the best jobs in the world, and it is something you can experience onboard with the Pelorus Mailboat all year round!

Delivering the mail by sea in the Marlborough Sounds is a truly unique experience. This full-day cruise is a chance to see an authentic, fascinating slice of daily life in this remote part of the NZ.

The Pelorus Mail Boat has been operating for more than a century. As a sea postie for a day, you’ll cruise through the largest, quietest and most remote part of the Marlborough Sounds – Pelorus Sound/Te Hoiere and Kenepuru Sound, and experience what we reckon is the best job in the world.

Between deliveries and pick-ups of mail, parcels and supplies, relax on a spacious catamaran and marvel at the stunning scenery of clear blue water in tranquil coves and bush-clad hillsides. Meet some of the residents who await the Pelorus Mail Boat on far-flung jetties, unspoilt beaches or who meet your boat on their boats. A highlight for many passengers is the variety of four-footed furry residents who accompany their owners when you arrive.

The friendly, fun local crew will provide informative and entertainment commentary about life in this isolated part of the Marlborough Sounds. You’ll learn what life far away from the nearest road is really like, along with some of the area’s fascinating history. The crew will also keep an expert eye for local marine wildlife including dolphins, seals, penguins and stingrays.

There is free tea, coffee and hot water onboard - please bring your own lunch. Havelock has several cafes, a bakery and a small supermarket where you can stock up before you check in.

Sail out of Havelock Marina to enjoy the natural beauty of the Marlborough Sounds with a relaxing Greenshell Mussel Cruise, featuring freshly steamed mussels paired with a glass of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc for the ultimate wine/food match.

Relax and unwind while you cruise the tranquil Pelorus and Kenepuru Sounds aboard a well-appointed launch MV Spirit on this half-day exclusive tour, departing Havelock.

Learn about local history and the fascinating aquaculture industry from your knowledgeable crew, cruise past a mussel farm and take in the stunning scenery.

Departing Picton, cruise with Cougar Line through scenic Queen Charlotte Sound/Tōtaranui to a Marlborough Sounds resort for a sumptuous lunch.

Choose from Furneaux Lodge or Punga Cove in stunning Endeavour Inlet. After lunch, Cougar Line will pick you up again for a relaxing boat ride home.

Ferneaux Lodge:

Cruise to Furneaux Lodge through Queen Charlotte Sound/Tōtaranui in the morning, arriving in time for lunch at the Furneaux Restaurant.

Choose your delicious lunch from the set menu, and relax on the sweeping lawn overlooking Endeavour Inlet, or inside the cosy restaurant in Furneaux’s historic homestead.

Explore the grounds, do a short walk or simply drink in the views until it’s time to meet us at the jetty for the scenic cruise home - approx 3pm.

See the Furneaux Lodge set menu

Punga Cove:

Cruise to Punga Cove through Queen Charlotte Sound/Tōtaranui in the morning, arriving in time for lunch at the Boatshed Café & Bar.

Relax on the jetty while overlooking Endeavour Inlet, or inside the welcoming café while you enjoy your lunch from the tasty set menu, including stone-baked pizzas.

Explore the grounds, sit on the beach or simply drink in the views until we pick you up again for the scenic boat ride home - at approx 3.15pm.

See the Punga Cove set menu

Get the best of both worlds. This is an ideal winery tour for those who want a snapshot of the views, tastes and flavours of the Marlborough wine region.

Your friendly and knowledgeable guide will be with you for the morning and you will visit three of our favourite wineries on superb wine trails through the vineyards, on river stop-banks, and down quiet country roads. Along the way, you’ll be surrounded by spectacular views of the Richmond Range, Wither Hills, Wairau River and beautiful Marlborough vineyards.

You will learn a little about the history of the area around Blenheim and the background to growing and producing wine in Marlborough.

This experience is small and personal with a maximum of eight people per bike tour. Your guide will be with you to answer your questions and ensure you have the best possible experience.

You do not need to be an experienced cyclist to enjoy this bike tour. The pace is leisurely and the terrain is gentle, ensuring easy riding no matter what your skill level. Don’t worry about the weather – if it rains this switches to a driving wine tour for the morning.

Pick up from your Blenheim or Renwick accommodation (approx. 9:15 am) and drop off (approx. 1 pm) is included.

The Great Track and Pack Pass is the best option for transport to and from the Queen Charlotte Track.

There is no time limit on the pass so it allows you to walk or bike the track in however many or few days you choose. Most people complete the track in 4 days, 3 nights although there is no standard way to complete the track, some people like to take their time and spend up to 7 days or some complete it in 2 or 3. Please ask our reservations office for advice if you are not sure how to plan your trip.

The Queen Charlotte Track is rated one of the Great Walks of New Zealand. This panoramic track offers virgin New Zealand bush, exceptional views and accommodation to cater for everyone's budget which is made up of camping grounds, backpackers and five star resorts.

We recommend that the track is walked or biked from north to south and your accommodation booked prior to your departure from Picton.

The Great Track and Pack Pass includes the following:

A drop-off at Ship Cove (the beginning of the track) on one of our scheduled departures
8:00am (1st Oct - 30th Apr), 9:00am or *1:30pm departures from Picton (1:30pm please enquire via email office@mailboat.co.nz)
A pick-up from Anakiwa at 3:30pm with an approximate arrival back in Picton of 4:30pm other pick up points are available
Luggage transfers along the track - maximum 20kg per person
*Please note that the 1:30pm will arrive at Ship Cove at approximately 3:30-4:00pm

If you choose to transport between accommodation and not walk sections, this is an additional cost to the Great Track and Pack Pass, please ask the reservations team for options and pricing.

Excludes: Accommodation, QCTLC Pass, Mountain Bike transportation ($5 each way), Motuara Island $5 visit fee, anything not specified above.

Queen Charlotte Track Land Cooperative (Q.C.T.L.C.) Pass
Private land fees: Sections of the track cross private land and track users are required to have a Queen Charlotte Track Land Cooperative (Q.C.T.L.C.) Pass for all Q.C.T.L.C. private land between Kenepuru Saddle, Torea Saddle, Te Mahia Saddle and Anakiwa. The pass fee contributes to track maintenance, enhancement and access. Please respect the owners’ property and do not use vehicles or take firearms or dogs on the track.

Pass fees: $12.00 for a 1 day pass. $25.00 for up to 5 consecutive days. $35.00 for an annual pass. Schoolchildren are free.
Passes can be purchased when booking or in office on day of departure.

Marlborough Tour Company is the largest and longest-running touring company in the top of the South Island, offering quality experiences that showcase the very best of Marlborough.

This is their Sip Marlborough Tour, the perfect introduction to Marlborough’s incredible wine region in a fun and relaxed way. The half day tour gives you a taste of some of Marlborough’s beautiful selection of wines, from a mixture of the regions most iconic, & also boutique, wineries. You’ll spend an afternoon tasting the delicious wines, wandering stunning wineries & meeting the people who help to produce the wine.

Grab a friend & enjoy an afternoon together in Wine Country!

Enjoy a full day exploring Marlborough's Wineries at your own pace by bike! The team at Explore Marlborough will sort you out with all the gear & a detailed map of the wineries you could visit along the way. Make a day of it with a friend or partner, stopping along the way to taste wines & have lunch at one of the stunning wineries, all with a gentle, flat & beautiful bike ride in between, this is an awesome way to sample some of Marlborough's most famous wines!

You will be picked up from your accommodation in either Blenhiem or Renwick at 9.30am or 10:30am and will be dropped back at your accommodation at the end of the day.