Walking Tours Picton

Embark on a fully guided wildlife and dolphin cruise like no other on your way to the Queen Charlotte Track.
Travel through Marlborough's Queen Charlotte Sound encountering a huge variety of rare, wonderful and interesting species along the way. A nature cruise and historical experience with fantastic scenery, wonderful wildlife and degree qualified guides. A perfect way to experience the Marlborough Sounds before you head onto the Queen Charlotte Track.

Our passionate expert guides will be with you all the way - our team are passionate about the local environment and love to share its unique aspects with our small groups.
We also see NZ fur seals and numerous seabirds.
Cruise the majestic Marlborough Sounds on a scenic journey to Motuara Island Bird Sanctuary. Our comfortable vessels and expert team take you on a conservation focused, wildlife adventure for your soul. Outstanding commentary and fantastic viewing areas allow you to enjoy playful Hector's, bottlenose, or dusky dolphins. We also see NZ fur seals and numerous seabirds before landing on Motuara Island for a 1-hour nature lover's walk to remember, before being dropped at the start of the Queen Charlotte Track. We will drop you off at Ship Cove and say farewell as you head into the bush.
We are located conveniently on Picton's main Waterfront with car parking close by and only a 1-minute walk from the main street.

The ultimate day out for bird enthusiasts keen on seeking rare and endangered bird species.
Embark on a wildlife and dolphin cruise like no other. Travel through Marlborough's Queen Charlotte Sound to two unique Wildlife Sanctuary Islands, encountering a huge variety of rare, wonderful and interesting species along the way.
Our passionate expert guides will be with you on the boat and on Motuara Island - our team are passionate about the local environment and love to share its unique aspects with our small groups.
We will drop you off on Blumine Island at approximately 9am, (this part of the tour is unguided). For bird enthusiasts keen on seeking the rare and endangered Orange-fronted Kakariki, you have a 90% success rate of finding this elusive bird, bird watchers from all over the world come here to photograph and view these amazing creatures. Before we drop you off we will tell you our secret method for success. As you have five and half hours on Blumine you will also have time to look for South Island Saddleback, Bellbirds, Kereru, Tomtits, Tui, Weka, and the very rare Mohua.
Note there is no jetty or pier onto the island, so you may end up with wet feet jumping on and off the vessel!
Please note this option is subject to availability and weather conditions.

We will pick you up at approximately 2.30pm and take you up to Motuara Island, a predator-free, premier wildlife sanctuary which is home to some rare species such as the yellow-crowned parakeet and Saddleback.

Our comfortable vessels and expert team take you on a conservation-focused, wildlife adventure for your soul.

Expert commentary and fantastic viewing areas allow you to enjoy playful Hector's, Bottlenose, or Dusky Dolphins (90% encounter rate!).

Explore the island on your own or go with our knowledgeable guide who will point out and describe the resident blue penguins, rare saddleback, melodic bellbirds, cheeky robins, native pigeons and yellow-crowned parakeets (kakariki).

If it's a clear day, you may also be able to spot the North Island in the distance. Motuara Island was significant for Maori. At the southern tip of Motuara Island is smaller Hippa Island which was the site of a pre-European Maori. The adjacent Ship Cove was where Maori first met pakeha on a sustained basis - our guides will show you exactly where. Motuara Island was the location where, in 1770, Captain Cook proclaimed British sovereignty over the South Island.
After returning to the boat, sit back and relax with a hot drink and cookies, enjoy a free sample of Yealands award-winning local wine before making our way back to Picton. We will be stopping to check out any extra species we discover.

Features: Touch and be in Awe of a 1500-year-old Totara Tree our Kaitakai ( Guardian) Onboard binoculars for viewing wildlife Gourmet Pinto Gris Wine Full Guided Experience on Premier Wildlife Sanctuary Island Walk the BEST 5km of the Queen Charlotte Track – Kupes Trail Bottlenose, Common, Dusky, Hectors Dolphins and Orca Travel with E-Ko and Support local Conservation efforts Cruise the calm sheltered Waters of Queen Charlotte Sound

Kids toys, books and drawing boards
Free professional high-quality wildlife photos downloadable on our website
Departure 0800 Daily Arrive at 0730 for Briefing at 0745



Cruise the majestic Marlborough Sounds on a scenic journey to Motuara Island Bird Sanctuary for a Fully Guided Experience . Our comfortable vessels and expert team take you on a conservation focused, wildlife adventure for your soul. Outstanding commentary and fantastic viewing areas allow you to enjoy playful Hector's, bottlenose, or dusky dolphins. We also see NZ fur seals and numerous seabirds before landing on Motuara Island for a 1-hour nature lover's walk to remember.

After your visit to Motuara Island, New Zealand highest producing Predator FREE Sanctuary the tour takes you to gorgeous Schoolhouse Bay. Then you can Walk the BEST of Queen Charlotte Track, an easy 5km walk through Virgin bush back to Meretoto or Ship Cove. This trail is the only section of the original native bush up to 40m tall and has the only remaining stand of True Native Forest. Kupe arrived in Meretoto 1200 years ago and used to forage for food on this trail, stopping to pay his respects to the forest giants that still stand there today. One of the trees estimated to be over 1500 years old is a natural forest father; stand in its roots and feel the awe of its magnificence.

Walking through the Best part of the Queen Charlotte Track, you’ll be guided by your audio/video book, which marks out many other unique items. See, touch, taste the Virgin bush, drink the water, touch the trees, gather forest herbs, and see our Predator FREE 250 trapping location. Your Gourmet Lunch , including local Wine/ Beer with Antipasto Platter has been delivered to Ship Cove / Meretoto so No heaving food to carry - just the snacks provided and a FREE conservation cup to drink water from the numerous steams or your own filtered Water bottle- all supplied.

The stories and history of Meretoto are displayed in Department of Conservation interpretation signs and toilets. There is a sheltered eating area, a long pier for swimming access and boats, and a short waterfall trail for your pleasure. Alternatively, you can use the custom-made seats to enjoy the local gourmet cuisine, a glass of wine, soak in the Mana, and replenish your Soul’s Mauri (life force).