Outer Marlbourgh Sounds - Wellington

Trip Leader - Arne Pallentin 0273914377

This is a trip for advanced club paddlers, willing and fit to paddle for several hours without landing (beaches are sparse in the outer bays). Expect to cover 25-40 km every day.
   

Trip outline 02/11 - 05/11 (Friday to Monday)

We will leave Wellington Friday morning, 09:00 on the Interislander ferry “Kaitaki” to arrive 12:30 in Picton for those travelling on this ferry.

For those joining us in Picton, I am planning to be on the water by 14:00, leaving from the beach in Picton nearest to the water taxi wharf. This will give us a c 4-5hr window to paddle to our first campsite, Blumine/Oruawairua Island (my favourite spot in the Sounds). This is a 22 km paddle (straight lines), so a bit of a push. There are two earlier campsites should we need them, Ratimera Bay (12 km) and Bay of Many Coves (16.5 km).

From here we have two days of paddling as far out and wide as weather, tides, and the group's fitness and skills allow. Plan for the second night is to meet up with the ‘luxury’ paddlers at Punga Cove (staying at the nearby Camp Bay site). The third night will be either back at Blumine/Oruawairua Island, Wharehunga Bay, or in Ratimera Bay. All are within a good morning's paddle distance to Picton to catch the 14:15 sailing of Interislander.

As most of the campsites we use have limited space the max number of paddlers on this trip will be 6-8. I will let everyone know asap if you are on so you can make your own travel arrangements to and from Picton

If you are still interested, please send me an email to: a.pallentin@gmail.com and let me know what experience you have, and what trips you have been on. .

Transport and accomodation

 It is your responsibility to book our own travel to Picton. Picton meeting point is 13.30 on Friday on the Picton waterfront beach at the end nearest to the water taxi wharf.

If travelling from Wellington recommended Ferry is;