Things to see and do
AT MOUNT RICHMOND ESTATE :
Spa Pool - relax in our hydrotherapy spa pool. At night time you can gaze up
at the stars.
Tennis - have a bit of a work out on the court.
Basketball - two boards to practice shooting some hoops.
Croquet - play croquet outside the cafe.
Walk into the bush - see the inquisitive robins and fantails.
Mountain bike - around the adjacent forest tracks and the Marlborough Sounds.
Glow worms
- see our resident glow worms - free tour on request..
Trampoline - for supervised children
Wildlife - as you would expect in a rural location we have a plethora of birds, with a large number of tuis and fantails. We also have kingfishers, gold finches, green finches, silvereye, riflemen amongst others. Rare long tailed bats have also been detected.
Sit on your deck and read !
Arboretum - There is stand of trees bordering the estate on the northern side
which was planted during 1937/8 for training of the young arborists. This
includes a massive range of New Zealand native and exotic trees.
MARLBOROUGH SOUNDS AND LOCAL AREA :
River Fishing – the Rai and Pelorus rivers are excellent for
trout (1st October till the end of April). Our local guide, Vic Rieter,
can you show you the best places to fish and give you expert tuition
should it be required. Novice to the experienced are
welcome. Half day professional guiding $495, full day
$750. Heli-fishing pricing on request. Also see this link -
www.nzfishing.com
*NEW* Hunting - affordable hunts for rabbits, goats, red and fallow deer, though the specialty is pig hunting done locally in a variety of different ways and places. Hunting is free range, fair chase; terrain and cover vary considerably, so talk to us and we can tailor make a package to your requirements. So if you want to experience hunting for the very first time or whether you are more experienced then let us know. Prices start at $100.
Rai Valley Cottage – Built in 1881, this cottage is one of the oldest in the area.
Furnished in the style of the 1890/1900 period, it is well worth a visit.
www.historicplaces.org.nz
Sea Fishing - Born and bred local Mike Turner is well known for his knowledge
of sea fishing and diving. Mike can take you out for a day’s sea fishing. Scallop
fishing runs from mid July to mid February. You can also try for other fish including
cod, snapper, groper (Nov – March) and the occasional kingfish. Diving might also
be possible for cray.
Kayaking - There are plenty of bays to take your kayak for a fantastic day out
or several days. If you don’t have your own kayak they can be hired in several
different bays including Cissy Bay, Elaine Bay and at French Pass.
www.seasafaris.co.nz - www.seakayakingmarlborough.co.nz
Traditional Sailing - Join the skipper on a traditional 40 tonne gaff cutter sailing boat and get some hands-on experience hauling on ropes, raising the main sail. Glide silently through amazing scenery and see dolphins, penguins, gannets and shags. www.steadfastsail.com
Tui Nature Reserve - Voted 8th best eco destination in the world by BBC Wildlife Magazine the Tui Nature Reserve Wilderness Park is a lot more than just tuis!! 42 hectares of mature and regenerating bush is the vision of Brian and Ellen; their hard work clearing the area of vermin and predators has created an area for protecting native species. Go and see the Marlborough Green Gecko, Red Crowned Kakariki and, hopefully, the elusive Giant Weta. Trips leave from Elaine Bay at 10am. www.tuinaturereserve.co.nz
Walks - There are many walks and tracks in the area. The most notable are
the several different walks (and swims) around Pelorus Bridge, a Department of Conservation site.
Click for more - www.doc.govt.nz
Complete your walk with a tea or coffee and cake at the Pelorus Bridge café.
*NEW* Tramping - Your local guide will take you through amazing Rai scenery including exotic and native forest, beef, sheep and dairy farms pointing out different points of interest and history, flora and fauna. Normally a 3 to 4 hour walk depending on stops, photos, food/drink stops and ability of walkers. It can be tailor made for fit trampers to families with children. Price $100 minimum, with max of four persons at $150. A dog can be taken by prior arrangement and would need to be on a lead at certain parts of the walk.
*NEW* Mountain Biking - Guided mountain bike riding through private land along a 13km track featuring exotic and native forests, beef, sheep and dairy farms, great scenic views, Rai river and cob cottage amongst other things. Lots of local points of interest and knowledge provided by your local guide. Bikes not provided. $50 per person.
Greenshell Mussel Cruise - Enjoy a truly unique cruise experience on the Greenshell Mussel cruise from nearby Havelock Marina. This cruise departs daily over the summer season at 1.30pm for a 3 hour scenic cruise in the Marlborough Sounds including the fabulous tasting of fresh mussels with a glass of Sauvignon Blanc. www.greenshellmusselcruise.co.nz
Tours - Marlborough Travel has been operating tours in the Marlborough region for 18 years and offer a large range of wine tours, scenic tours and cruises in the Marlborough Sounds. www.marlboroughtravel.co.nz
NELSON AND AREA :
Happy Valley Adventures - Approximately 35 minutes away towards Nelson, just after Hira is the turn off to this adventure playground. Sure to have something for all the family, Happy Valley has a range of activities that include Sky-wire Flying Fox, paintballing, horse treks, quad bike tours, argo amphibious vehicle ride. There is also a café for refreshments. www.happyvalleyadventures.co.nz
World of Wearable Art, Nelson - More than art, more than a fashion show,
more than an awards show. World of Wearable Art is an amazing combination
of all three and more. Explore the world of fashion in it’s widest context. WOW
has it’s own café too.
www.worldofwearableart.com
BLENHEIM :
Marlborough's River Queen - Classic riverboat cruises along the Opawa River towards Cloudy Bay. Take a lunchtime cruise, or combine it with a wine tour in the afternoon, or enjoy a late afternoon cruise with a drink and nibbles. www.theriverqueen.co.nz
Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre - Voted 'Best Museum in the World' by
Sydney Morning Herald, it has fantastic, realistic displays that bring all the
drama of those early flying days to life.
www.omaka.org.nz
Wine Tour - Take a half or full day tour of various wineries sampling
the world famous Marlborough wines. www.marlboroughwinetours.co.nz
