Page 37 of New Zealand Island Discoveries Shore Tours by P&O Cruises

picton marlborough farm garden experience approximate duration 7 hours picton pcn-c cruise trek queen charlotte sound approximate duration 4 hours pcn-d discover why picton and the marlborough province are such great places to visit ­ picturesque towns a proud working farm with a colourful history of its own a patchwork of vineyards and a boutique winery a beautiful estate surrounded by gardens and welcoming local people at each stop what you visit woodend gardens the home of colin and eldred boyce seven acres of splendour from its sweeping lawns to its countless flowers and trees this is one of marlborough s top gardens pathways and box hedging lead through to masses of roses dahlias azaleas lilies and rhododendrons embark on an eco-tour featuring a cruise on beautiful queen charlotte sound known for its history and bounty of resident wildlife coupled with a guided trek within motuara island bird sanctuary where you will discover nature at its best your queen charlotte sound cruise as you cruise the sound with your knowledgeable guide you will be introduced to the variety of wildlife abundant in the waterways whilst the skilled skipper keeps an eye out for dolphins fur seals and marine birds after leaving motuara island cruise over to ship cove where captain cook anchored five times in his three voyages around the world your guided bush walk landing on motuara island bird sanctuary you ll take a guided bush walk where you may see bush robins bellbirds pigeons small blue penguins in the breeding season and perhaps even the rare south island saddleback the more energetic may choose to admire the fantastic views gained from the lookout tower which is 406 feet above sea level it was from this vantage point that captain cook made a declaration of claim for new zealand refreshments your guides will relate stories of cook s exploration in the area as you tuck into morning or afternoon tea at historic ship cove photo opportunities snap a picture of ship cove s monument to captain james cook and keep your camera poised and ready for wildlife sightings notes wine-tasting participants must be 18 years of age or older notes to make your day as enjoyable as possible please ensure that you wear comfortable flat-soled shoes clothing suited to the weather conditions and some exposure to the elements a hat and jacket and bring along some sunscreen and bottled water barewood visit this historic sheep farm located in the heart of the awatere valley be entertained with a sheep-shearing demonstration in the woolshed and watch the working sheep dogs go through their paces in the fields the homestead is surrounded by lawn that leads down to a woodland area containing this tour operates in shade loving perennials and onto a pergola planted with old roses and clematis a motorcoach with a forrest estate a complete hands-on family of vintners who grow make and driver/guide market their own wines passionate about wines john forrest and his wife bridgit will unveil the art of wine tasting the etiquette the language and how and why order of tour stops may vary wines are blended john s aim is to capture the fresh variety of flavours of marlborough wine and enhance the drinking pleasure for you local currency is recommended for purchasing wine and souvenirs lunch and refreshments devonshire tea will be served at woodend gardens later in the day stop for a farm-cooked lunch served under barewood s verandas and crown your day with a wine tasting at forrest estate what you see along the way departing picton travel through the rich farmlands to the wairau valley where the first grapes were planted as recently as 1970 on over the hills to awatere valley then the township of blenheim and through the district with its vineyards and farmlets pass through the small town of seddon named after an early new zealand prime minister before returning to picton picton 70 71 picton

[close]