Sound advice: 'Get out and explore'
BY CLAIRE CONNELL
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In the second in a three-part series aimed at getting Marlburians out and about over the summer months, a Department of Conservation ranger shares her favourite places for recreational activities in the Marlborough Sounds.
Sea kayaking, boating, fishing, waterskiing and bird watching are just some of the endless activities to do in the outdoor paradise of the Marlborough Sounds, says Department of Conservation ranger and area asset planner Margot Ferrier.
Ms Ferrier should know.
A keen walker, mountainbiker and kayaker herself, she spends most of her days out exploring the Sounds for work purposes – the dream job for someone who loves the outdoors as much as she does.
Her job as a Department of Conservation (DOC) ranger means she is often out and about, and is happy to pass on advice to outdoor newbies keen to explore the best of the Marlborough Sounds.
She reckons Marlburians should "get off the beaten track" this summer, and aim to explore somewhere they have not been before.
While the Marlborough Sounds are popular with locals, they often will not drive that "extra 15 minutes" to somewhere new and spectacular, she says.
Ms Ferrier's advice? "Get out there and explore and find some new places to go."
And you don't necessarily need a boat either, she says. Momorangi and Anakiwa are reasonably sheltered spots for kayaking, and provide a good introduction to the activity. Mistletoe Bay and Torea Bay are also nice areas and accessible by land. "The weather is beautiful, the scenery is great, and there's heaps of stuff to do."
For the fishers, Waihi is recommended for snapper, gurnard and tarakihi, and further out blue cod can be caught.
The Queen Charlotte track is great for walking, as is the 27km Nydia track up the Pelorus River, which is also a great mountain biking spot.
Diving is popular in Easy Bay, and Kumutoto Bay has a special lane set up for waterskiing only, she says. Keen birdwatchers should check out Motuara Island, where DOC is redoing the track.
Many places, such as inlets in the Kenepuru Sound, remain untouched and free from the bustle of visitors, she says.
Ms Ferrier's favourite place is Tennyson Inlet, where she enjoys sea kayaking.
"It's just absolutely stunning. It always seems nice and quiet and peaceful."
For more information, and for safety advice while in the outdoors, contact the Department of Conservation Nelson/Marlborough office on 035203002, or visit doc.govt.nz.
- The Marlborough Express
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The weather restricts a lot of activites around Malborough!