Friday - Outer Sounds

Depart Havelock Marina at 9:30am. Today is our longest route and takes you to the Outer Sounds with views out to Cook Strait and the North Island. Our first stop is Pohuenui  Island  Resort once the site of a large sheep station running around 12000 sheep. The island is now used for a combination of farming and tourist accommodation offering access to the wonderful shellfish of the sounds, hunting and walking tracks. You can stay here for the week and we can pick you up the next time we call in.

On then to Tui Nature Reserve. The reserve is set on a peninsula with beautiful views all around. Again you can stay here and tell us about your adventure when we pick you up a week later.

One of our next stops in Bulwer Town. In the 19th century, it was thought that this spot would be an ideal place to establish a port for sailing ships. A survey was carried out, streets and houses were planned but the town was never built. This stop includes a welcome by two kune kune pigs which have been become used to us feeding them on the wharf. This is your chance to pet a real pig!

On this trip we also drop mail at one of the mussel farms in the Sound. Farming practices in the Sound have changed so that most of the income is generated from mussels rather than traditional agriculture.

Today we also visit the King Shag colony. This is a pink footed shag found only in the Outer Sounds.

We often see seals basking in the sunshine in this area and may also see dolphins playing in the channel.

Last stop today is at Te Puru, home of the Brownlee family who were legendary in the early years of Havelock and the sawmill industry.

Return to Havelock approx. 5.00pm