Picton Marlborough Country

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Wine Country 

Marlborough Region

The picturesque seaside town of Picton is the South Island base for the ferry service that links the main islands of New Zealand and the heart of the Marlborough Sounds. This was Majestic Princess maiden stop in Picton, gateway to the famous wine-growing region of Marlborough.

We exchanged our Dunedin shore excursions for a half-day tour through the picturesque wine country with stops at a chocolate factory and an artisan village.

Makana Confections

Makana Confections Chocolate Factory in Blenheim, New Zealand is set up like a winery / cellar door where you can watch how they make their chocolates, taste a few samples and, of course, shop for delicious chocolates and other confectionery treats. They weren't inexpensive, but they were worth every penny. Watch this video to get an idea of what your visit would be like.

Marlborough Wine Country  The next stop on our excursion was Marlborough's Artisan Hub.  Here we had time to explore the shops and have something to eat if desired.  We were in the midst of wine country with vineyards all around us.   Following that stop we headed back to the ship with our driver pointing out sights along the way and in town.   There was a local market and some shops near the pier which we visited before calling it a day.

Additional photos can be found on our Australia & New Zealand Shutterfly page

Makana Confections Marlborough Artisan Hub Picton Wine Country
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When Mother Nature Has Other Plans

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What a gorgeous afternoon as we sailed away from Akaroa after a fabulous day on and around the harbor.    These clouds uniquely framed the coastline.

Next day our plans called for a stop in Dunedin with an shore excursion to Otago Peninsula Yellow-eyed Penguin Reserve.  Mother Nature had other plans for us, however.

The captain made an announcement that due to heavy winds and rough seas, we would not be making our planned stop in Dunedin the next day.   Instead, they had been scrambling to arrange alternate excursions in Picton, New Zealand.

Picton is a town on the north coast of the South Island, in New Zealand. It’s known as a gateway to the islands and inlets of the Marlborough Sounds. Departing Picton, we would sail thru the sounds and make our way back to Sydney, instead of scenic cruising through Fiordland National Park.

Additional photos can be found on our Australia & New Zealand Shutterfly page

Akaroa Wharf


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