For the second winter running we have endured a record breaking rainfall event! Just when our road was beginning to resemble something passable the August deluge has changed all that and we’re back to road closures….
We are now awaiting geotechnical tests etc and funding to restart the repairs so it’s a bit of an unknown as to when the road will reopen. There are hundreds of sites like that pictured above but we’re hoping there will be some kind of road access by Christmas. When we find out we’ll let you know! The good news is that the Queen Charlotte Track is operational and we can access that and the luggage transfers associated with it so we are fully open for your visit.
There are still options to get here even if you’re not walking or biking the QCT. You can still bring your car to Ngahere Hou via the barge. These trips are being subsidised by the Marlborough District Council and this can be booked through the Picton or Havelock I-sites or directly through Johnson’s Barges in Havelock for the trip from Havelock to Fish Bay, or through Kenny’s Barging in Picton over to Torea Bay. We are about 15-20 minutes drive from either of these barge ramps. The trip from Havelock takes from 2-3 hours depending on how many stops they make, and from Picton roughly 30 minutes. Including the subsidy it’s about $100 per vehicle each way. It’s a great way to see the Sounds and in many ways is more pleasant than the long and winding road!
You can also leave your car in Picton and get the water-taxi over to Torea Bay. This is a great way to get to us that many people used even when the road was accessible. The boat trip is only 15 minutes from Picton and we can pick you up from Torea Bay and bring you back. Cougarline, Beachcomber and Picton Water-taxis do both scheduled trips daily and private hires at any time. If you want an even more scenic trip on the Queen Charlotte Sound you can go out to Punga Cove and we can pick you up from there too. These water-taxi trips also qualify for the MDC subsidy if you tell them you’re coming to the Kenepuru. Talk to Picton I-site or the water-taxi operator about secure parking available.
So however you get here there’s a warm welcome, rest and restoration waiting! We look forward to seeing you over the summer…..