FESTIVAL PARTNERS
The Marlborough Sounds Water and Wilderness Festival is brought to you by people with a passion for Marlborough and the Sounds. The Festival is all about sharing the wonderful things that we love about Marlborough and the Sounds with you.
The Portage Resort Hotel
Experience the magic of the Marlborough Sounds at The Portage Resort Hotel. Relaxing and contemporary with 49 comfortable rooms, spectacular water views, great restaurant and cafe/bar, a wonderful sense of isolation and just 10 minutes from Picton by boat. Discover Portage water, walks and wine experiences, adventure hire and the Queen Charlotte Track are a must.
The Cougar Line
Cougar Line, the Marlborough Sounds premier water transport company, has over 21 years experience transporting people and goods to and from the Queen Charlotte track , resorts and private homes along the Marlborough Sounds. You can trust the Cougar Line to make sure your Queen Charlotte Track experience goes to plan. Providing a fast and efficient service to all resorts along the Queen Charlotte Sound our experienced staff have a wide knowledge of the area and are extremely friendly and helpful.
Forrest Estate
From the first wave of European settlers in Marlborough, the Forrest family has grown deep roots in the region. This historical connection and tradition drew Drs John, Brigid and family back home to Marlborough in 1988 from successful international careers in biomedical research. Since then they have gone on to establish a further five vineyards in Marlborough totalling 200 acres, and a modern state of the art winery nestled in a charming parkland setting, creating a warm, friendly, unique experience for all who visit at Renwick.
Marlborough Sounds Adventure Company
Marlborough Sounds Adventure Company is owned and operated by Sara Archdale and Dave Watson, both born and raised in New Zealand’s South Island. Helping people to stage their own adventures on the Queen Charlotte Track and around the Marlborough Sounds is our dream job come true. We bought the company 12 years ago, after 10 years of travelling and working in the UK, Europe and Australia. Our travel experience has given us a great understanding of all the elements that contribute to an amazing time. Supporting us every step of the way is a fantastic team of guides and base crew. While we are the original adventure tourism business in Marlborough, our team won’t let a great track record go to their heads. Each adventure gets the utmost attention, so that every hiker, biker and kayaker enjoys the safe, fun and unforgettable experience that we are famous for.
Allan Scott Family Winemakers
In 1973 Allan Scott came to Marlborough to plant some of the original grapes in the region. Two years later he planted the family’s first vineyards supplying grapes to Marlborough’s emerging wine industry. Allan and Catherine established the winery in 1990. Still family owned and operated, the modern fully equipped winery now produces a full range of wines especially suited to Marlborough’s gravelly soil and sunny climate conditions.
Their restaurant, “Twelve Trees”, one of the most popular lunchtime venues in Marlborough, attracts both locals and visitors alike. In summer the shady courtyard, with its fountains and elegant topiary, creates a cool oasis for guests, while in winter the cosy interior with its open fire provides a warm welcome. The seasonal menu featuring fresh Marlborough produce and the Scott’s famous wines make it an unbeatable combination.
Moa Beer
Moa Beer is the brainchild of winemaker Josh Scott, son of Allan Scott of Allan Scott Wines. In fact Josh does employ some winemaking techniques to make his Moa Beer and believes that it is the only beer to be made this way. The sparkle is put into the brew by the time honoured “methode traditionelle” more usually used to put the bubbles into Champagne. Tracking this Moa to its lair is no longer only for the intrepid. A micro brewery has been installed at the Moa’s permanent home in Marlborough where their Tasting Room allows the successful Moa Hunter to sample the brew during the summer months.
Marlborough Travel
Marlborough Travel is a privately owned tourism company that has operated in Marlborough for over ten years. Owner- Operators, Chris and Sue Godsiff, are both born and bred in Marlborough, as were their parents and grandparents before that. This long line of family connection to the region and a total commitment to quality service has put Marlborough Travel at the forefront of tourism development in Marlborough.
Marlborough Travel operates a well-established land and water based tour business offering a large range of tours of the Marlborough region.
Kono New Zealand
Kono New Zealand offers lucious Marlborough Greenshell Mussels from the pristine Marlborough Sounds. Kono NZ is owned by the Maori, the indigenous people of New Zealand. "Kono" in the Maori language means "food basket". Juicy, easy to prepare products include ready to eat flavoured and plain halfshell and marinated mussels in a range of tasty flavours. The Marlborough Sounds are a well known source of premium quality seafood and globally famous for plump and juicy Greenshell mussels unique to New Zealand, raised through eco friendly, sustainable farming practices in its pristine waterways. Quality is the hallmark of KONO - created, owned and operated by our indigenous community. These mussels have been carefully prepared for you in the spirit of our traditions - a celebration of our harvest, our people, and our culture.
Interislander
Interislander travels the Cook Strait between the North and South Islands of New Zealand and is one of the most spectacular cruises in the world. The 92 km journey between Wellington and Picton is one of New Zealand's most iconic tourist experiences.
Interislander operates three ships, carrying both passengers and their vehicles: Arahura, Aratere, and Kaitaki.
All offer the freedom and ease of exploring New Zealand by road. Taking a vehicle on an Interislander ferry is as simple as parking - just drive on and drive off. Nor do passengers with vehicles have any luggage restrictions. Offering up to 11 sailings a day, Interislander passengers also have the convenience of a wide choice of travel times.
Pernod Ricard New Zealand
New Zealand's leading winemaker, Pernod Ricard NZ represents the culmination of many pioneering New Zealand wineries and brands joined together, including Montana, Stoneleigh, Church Road and Corbans Wines. Today, we are the number one selling New Zealand wine company in both the domestic and export markets. With a diverse grape resource spread throughout Gisborne, Hawke's Bay, North Canterbury and Marlborough, the company produces a matchless range of quality wines. In addition to well known brands such as Montana and Lindauer, our extensive portfolio includes popular brands such as Triplebank, Saints, Stoneleigh, Church Road and Deutz.
Wilderness Guides
Wilderness Guides Limited is 100% owned and operated by Steve and Juliet Gibbons, born and bred New Zealanders who grew up in the Marlborough region at the top of the South Island and developed a passion for the outdoors. As owners and outdoor guides, Juliet & Steve truly know what makes trips memorable for their guests. Based in Picton (the gateway to the South Island and the Marlborough Sounds), Wilderness Guides offers hiking, biking and sea kayaking tours from just a few hours to multiple days. Now internationally regarded for its fine wines, this Marlborough region is in the centre of a wilderness playground from the sheltered waters of the Marlborough Sounds to the north to the alpine grandeur of Nelson Lakes National Park and Kahurangi National Park to the west.
Lawsons Dry Hills
Ross and Barbara Lawson founded Lawson's Dry Hills in 1992, they had been growing Gewürztraminer grapes for other wine companies on their Alabama road vineyard since 1980. Their first vintage, which included the Gewürztraminer grown on the Alabama road vineyard, was just 15 tonnes and was managed by Ross from the old tin shed on the property, which is still standing and forms part of the winery cellar door. Their Gewürztraminer has gone on to be recognised as one of the country's finest and has firmly established Lawson's Dry Hills on the national and international wine stage. Other plantings soon followed and the company now produce a benchmark range of Marlborough wines including Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir, as well as outstanding Gewürztraminer. All the grapes for Lawson's Dry Hills are sourced form Marlborough's Wairau, Waihopai, Omaka and Brancott valleys.
Sounds Connection
Leading providers of quality tours of the Marlborough Region of New Zealand, our Tours include visits to local wineries, arts and crafts, transport requirements and, at sea, fishing trips on the famous "Sea Bud" launch.
Private charters on both Sea and Land are a popular option. Tell us your requirements, you'll be surprised now easy and affordable it is.
The Marlborough Region offers activities for families, individuals, groups and the independent traveller - there is an adventure for everyone - Sounds Connection offers a diverse product range to showcase Marlborough. Whether you are fishing, strolling our awesome Queen Charlotte Track, touring the wineries, you may never want to leave! We offer activities for team-building events, corporate tours and personalised transport options.
Te Mahia Bay Resort
The vision was there, back in 1992 when we purchased Te Mahia Bay Resort. We were captivated by the natural beauty of the bay, its enchanting beach and surrounding bush.
To enhance this even more, we delved into the wonderful rich history of Te Mahia as a holiday resort for thousands of holiday makers over the last century. The last 14 years have seen us undertake major refurbishment of the original buildings, giving them back their feeling of warmth and character with special personal touches. Adding to the peaceful, tranquil atmosphere, we have continued to establish the wonderful gardens for our guests to relax in.
We care for our unique environment at Te Mahia, we care for our wonderful buildings steeped in history, we care about the special little touches, we care about our family and staff.
We care about you, our clients, to ensure you have a wonderful holiday and take away with you many special and fond memories of Te Mahia Bay Resort.
