SONIA BEAL - The Marlborough Express

As part of our summer sizzler series, Pelorus Sound-raised Sonia Beal is swayed by the charms of Queen Charlotte Sound on a day trip with adventure tourism business Wilderness Guides.

IAN ALLEN - The Marlborough Express

As they say in Kaikoura, "there's more to a whale than just a tail".

The Marlborough Express

In our summer series, Ian Allen dances underwater in Kaikoura.

The Marlborough Express

Penny Wardle continues our summer series of Marlborough attractions by reserving a place at Cloudy Bay Vineyards for a lunch matching fine wines and fine foods.

SAM MORTON - The Marlborough Express

In part two of our summer sizzle series reporter Sam Morton visits Ship Cove in Queen Charlotte Sound with Cougar Lines

TANIA BUTTERFIELD - The Marlborough Express

To kick off our summer series of Marlborough attractions Tania Butterfield takes a fizz boat on safari in the Sounds.

MICHAEL BERRY - The Marlborough Express

In the final of our Summer Sizzler series, reporter Michael Berry enjoys a perfect day in the Marlborough Sounds.

CHERIE HOWIE - The Marlborough Express

They appeared like teenage pop sensation Justin Bieber – surfacing fleetingly to a reception of clicking cameras and high-pitched squeals. However, it wasn't Bieber fever that descended on the waters of French Pass in the Marlborough Sounds last Friday, but rather dusky-dolphin fever.

SIMON WONG - The Marlborough Express

In our Summer Sizzler series, Marlborough Express reporters explore some of the fantastic opportunities for fun and relaxation in Marlborough, with the idea of encouraging locals and visitors to do the same. Simon Wong finds peace and serenity at Mistletoe Bay eco village in the Marlborough Sounds.

In our Summer Sizzler series, Marlborough Express reporters explore some of the fantastic opportunities for fun and relaxation in Marlborough, with the idea of encouraging locals and visitors to do the same. Claire Connell goes to great heights.

TANIA BUTTERFIELD - The Marlborough Express

"Quick, come here and look at this map," Wilderness Guides kayaking tour guide Chris Shaw says.

PENNY WARDLE - The Marlborough Express

In the first of our Summer Sizzler series, Marlborough Express reporters explore some of the fantastic opportunities for fun and relaxation in Marlborough

The Marlborough Express

Picton is one of Marlborough's main entrance ways but many people hurry through it on their way to somewhere else. Reporter ANGELA CROMPTON checks out leisure activities offered to guests at Essons Valley Farmstay B&B.

The Marlborough Express

The Marlborough Sounds is a big backyard. And they are home to some of the world's rarest species. As part of the Summer Sizzler series ANNA WALLIS heads to where they are being kept safe.

In the latest instalment of The Marlborough Express Summer Sizzler series, RACHEL YOUNG treks with llamas through Kaikoura's countryside with Kaikoura Llama Trekking.

In the latest instalment of the Marlborough Express Summer Sizzlers series, MICHAEL BERRY takes a dash of downhill mountainbiking, mixed with a bake in the Marlborough Sounds sun, as he follows a Marlborough Sounds Adventure Company cycle tour from Portage to Anakiwa.

BY PENNY WARDLE - The Marlborough Express

Explore Marlborough's Bike the Vines is an endurance event of cycling, sipping wines and fine dining.

The Marlborough Express

In another of the The Marlborough Express Summer Sizzler series, general reporter BLAIR ENSOR and sport reporters PETE JONES and JOHN ALEXANDER hop on Picton Launch Charters' Ocean Fox and hunt for the tasty bounty which lies beneath the surface of the Queen Charlotte Sound.

BY EMMA DANGERFIELD - The Marlborough Express

In another instalment of The Marlborough Express Summer Sizzlers, EMMA DANGERFIELD finds out that learning about the Maori culture is not just for the tourists. It can be a rewarding experience for New Zealand residents, too.

BY MAIKE VAN DER HEIDE - The Marlborough Express

In another instalment of The Marlborough Express summer sizzler series, reporter Maike van der Heide tries to keep up with a pod of bottlenose dolphins with Picton's Dolphin Watch Ecotours.

The Pelorus Mail Boat delivers mail to some of the Marlborough Sounds' most isolated residents.

BY CHERIE HOWE - The Marlborough Express

Phil and Deb Clegg have escaped their old hair salon in the Kenepuru Sound.

The Marlborough Express

In the first instalment of the The Marlborough Express summer sizzler series, reporter FRITHA TAGG tries her hand at sea kayaking with the Marlborough Sounds Adventure Company.