Splurge on the joy of sucking up seafood bounty with an authentic sea to plate experience. Authentic as it comes as you actually participate in the harvest of greenshell mussels.
Kenepuru & Pelorus Sound in Marlborough offer greenshell mussel foodie treats, a wicked golf course surrounded by a working farm, with a side option of lawn croquet, glorious walking trails including the iconic Queen Charlotte track. Less visited, brilliant Marlborough on full display.
Top sights
- Enjoy the outstanding charms of the Queen Charlotte track in a bite sized portion from the quiet of Kenepuru Sound
- Golf anyone where the views of the Marlborough Sounds compete with the sheer delight of a golf course packed with personality
- Greenshell Mussel cruise is a stalwart for foodie lovers, visit a farm, sample fresh mussels plucked from the sea
- Explore the coastline and bays with a local on a cruise with Kenepuru Water Taxi service with a shipwreck, ‘Amokura’, shorebirds and leisure boats.
Walking the Queen Charlotte track
Follow the ridge line with views to match between Queen Charlotte Sound and Kenepuru sound on a day walk between Portage and Te Mahia for a day walk. The relatively short 8 km walk is a popular alternative to the entire trail.
Kenepuru local walking trails
Nopera Golf Course, Marlborough, Kenepuru Sound
Situated on a working farm, is a must for golf enthusiasts. The only golf course nestled within the Marlborough Sounds. The enthusiastic volunteers make sure the greens are in superb condition and you have the joy of meeting local golfers as you wander the 9 hole course. There is the intriguing option of playing lawn croquet.
How to get to Kenepuru Sound?
By road the distance is 82 km on a no exit narrow winding gravel road. Road access can be restricted to residents only. Check beforehand before departing. The best way to access Kenepuru Sound is by boat or commercial water taxi service.
Havelock is the hub for Kenepuru and Pelorus Sounds. Cafes offer delicious green lipped mussels, seafood delicacies. There are art galleries and an interesting museum narrating the story of saw milling, settlers and pre-European Maori activities. The historic town is fronted by Victorian era wooden buildings reflecting the brief gold rush in the 19th century.
Linkwater
Linkwater is the detour point for Kenepuru Sound. Linkwater is where the turnoff is for road access for two well known resorts. A road trip is approximately 2 hours to the end of the no exit road (you have to return on the same route). The road climbs up a saddle above Endeavour Inlet of the Queen Charlotte Sound and then loops, winds its way around the side of Mt Stokes, above Gore Bay, and finally down to the north into Titirangi Bay.
Punga Cove Resort is road accessible via this route as is Mistletoe Eco-Resort. A gem is unwrapped at the end of the road. Titirangi Bay is a pretty remote beach; the reward for turning up. From there the road continues down to a small camping ground where you can access the beach. The small campground has no powered sites. The Titirangi Farm Park campground has toilet and shower (cold) facilities.
Travel pack information
Shipwreck Amokura – Kenepuru Sound, Marlborough
Amokura was formerly the HMS Sparrow. She was built in 1889, and was bought by the NZ Government for use as a training ship in 1907. Used as a New Zealand training ship between 1905 and 1918, and during that time, between 1910 and 1918, was used on sub-antarctic expeditions. She was later used as a coal hulk, before being broken up in the Pelorus Sound in 1957 … source Amokura (Ship) | Items | National Library of New Zealand.
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