ACCOMMODATION
The Portage Resort Hotel
The Portage is the centre for Marlborough Sounds Water and Wilderness Festival in 2008.
The Portage has 41 hotel rooms ranging from rooms for 2 people up to 2 bedroom rooms sleeping 6 people, ideal for families. There is also the budget Walkers Lodge offering bunk style accommodation.
Dining at The Portage is at Te Weka Restaurant, the Snapper Cafe and the Retro Bar.The hotel has The Portage Adventure Centre on site and the Kenepuru Store next door.
The Portage is ideally situated on Kenepuru Sound. It is a 5 minute trip over Torea Saddle to Queen Charlotte Sound for the 15 minute boat trip to Picton. All activities for the festival will be at The Portage or provided by an activity operator leaving from The Portage wharf at Torea Bay.
Special Festival packages are available and are listed in the individual Festival Weekend pages.
You may prefer to book a room separately, so we have a Festival room rate for each room type – available from 26 September to 28 October 2008 only.
- Courtyard Garden rooms – $195 – Festival rate $125 (no view)
- Hillside rooms – $260 – Festival rate from $165
- Kowhai Lodge room – $298 – Festival rate from $195
- Kenepuru Spa Suite – $335 – Festival rate from $225
Hotel Rooms Festival Rates
Walkers Lodge beds -
- $40 per person in a 4 bed bunk room, share bathroom
- $50 per person for a room with linen for 2 people with share bathroom
- $60 per person for a room with linen and ensuite
Road Access to the Portage
It is easiest to reach The Portage by 15 minute direct boat transfer from Picton, the resort will arrange this for you.
If you prefer to drive to the resort we strongly recommend a 2 night stay as many of our guests have told us that the 1.5 to 2 hour drive each way for just one night is demanding.
Kenepuru Road is a sealed, winding road with beautiful bush and scenic views.
From Picton it is 30 minutes on Queen Charlotte Drive to the Linkwater turnoff (do not take the Anakiwa turnoff).
At Linkwater you turn onto Kenepuru Road and it is 45 mins to 1 hour to The Portage. The resort is very visible from the road.
Alternatively if you are travelling from Blenheim or Nelson, we recommend driving in from Havelock along Queen Charlotte Drive to Linkwater and following the Kenepuru Road to The Portage.
(Queen Charlotte Drive is the link road between Havelock and Picton.)
Map showing Portage access by road and sea
Red line is road access route from Picton and direct boat trip across Queen Charlotte Sound
Te Mahia Bay Resort
Just 15 minutes down the road from The Portage, Te Mahia Bay Resort has self contained accommodation. Te Mahia has no restaurant but does have a small convenience shop and cafe. A car is a must if you stay at Te Mahia.
Accommodation starts from:
Waterfront Apartments - $240 a double per night
Modern Motel units - $165 a double per night
Heritage Units – $145 a double per night
The Yacht Club Hotel
Based in Picton, this is the ideal property if you are wanting to stay in town to catch the boat across to The Portage for events and some of the activities.
The Yacht Club Hotel, located beside the Picton Marina, has 31 well appointed rooms including two one-bedroom Apartments and a three-bedroom Penthouse.
Their award-winning Chartroom Restaurant boasts an extensive menu featuring fresh local produce and Marlborough's award winning wines.
Rates:
| B&B one person | B&B two people | |
| Pool Room | $ 238.99 | $ 256.00 |
| Ocean Room | $ 278.00 | $311.00 |
| 1 Bed Room | $ 318.00 | $336.00 |
