Have my plans set for 4 nights before joining up with my OAT tour in Wellington in March.

Especially would like suggestions for first day--besides just recovering from the flight from NJ-- and also for tramping on the QCT.

Arrive mid-morning Blenheim; rent car and drive to Havelock for 1st night. Anything to see along the way? Love wineries, but not in this sleep deprived state and learning to stay on left side of road.

Day 2: Drive to Te Mahia Bay Resort. Imagine there will be many photo stops along way.

Day 3: Explore/hike out from resort. Suggestions for best part to hike for scenery without driving too far. Suggestions for places to meet water taxi before or after 1 way walk?

Day 4: Whole day to play. Kayak? before getting back to Havelock for night

Day 5: Early drive to airport for 8:30 AM flight to Wellington.

Note: Had planned to stay near Blenheim/Renwick last night and maybe visit some wineries then. However, there is what sounds like a huge bike race and every place was already booked. Will be sharing road (Rt 6) with bikers on return drive. Hope it's note crazy.

You're going to get into an unfamiliar rental car, drive on the opposite side of the road in an unfamiliar country known for it's driving challenges after a ~20 hour journey and an 18 hour time difference?

Please don't.

You might as well drive drunk.

You'll be putting yourself, and more importantly, OTHERS at risk.

Why not stay that first night in Blenheim and drive to Havelock the next day? MUCH safer.

Clousie -

Have you considered something like this?

Day 1 -

Arrive Blenheim, take taxi to accommodation, get settled, perhaps take an arranged winery tour that afternoon, overnight Blenheim

Day 2 - Collect rental car, drive Blenheim to Te Mahia Bay Resort, stopping to explore en route.

Day 3 - Explore the QCT - you can access the track on foot from your resort, by walking 20 minutes up. You don't need to drive at all. I'd dedicate the entire day to the track - walking to Portage or Lochmara Lodge, then heading back to your resort, and perhaps a massage.

How far you want to walk will determine whether or not you need a water taxi. Your accommodation can give you a taxi schedule and make specific suggestions.

Day 4 - Explore more of the track, or just relax at the resort

Day 5 - As is - assume you're flying Blenheim to Wellie? Probably too late for this, but did you consider ferry from Picton to Wellie instead?

By staying in Blenheim at the start of your trip, you avoid putting yourself and others at risk by driving. The money you save on your rental car that day could be applied to an organized winery tour.

The drive from Blenheim to Havelock is only about 35 minutes, so it won't add much to your drive to the resort the following day. Plus, you'll have the whole day to get there and you can stop as you see fit to explore.

Is there a reason you chose Blenheim and Havelock instead of say, Nelson and Picton?

Here's some info on the Grape Ride. I doubt it will affect your drive much. Just allow plenty of time.

http://www.graperide.co.nz/

Thanks, Melnq8, for the suggestions.

Have looked for places to stay the first night around Renwick/Blenheim but only coming up with basic motels that don't seem to be booked. Thinking if we took a relaxing long lunch, sans wine, we might be refreshed enough to drive to Blenheim. Rt 6 appears to be a rather straight road when compared to some others.

OTOH, if we stayed in Blenheim, the next day we could drive through Picton and do the Queen Charlotte Drive.

You asked why Havelock over Picton. A friend said H was quieter than the port city of Picton and near the mailboat dock, which we had intended to take Day 2. Unfortunately, it doesn't go on a Wednesday.

Reason for Havelock last night is that even several months ago we couldn't get anything in Renwick/Blenheim on a Friday night because of the big bike race that weekend.

Debated for quite a while between flying/ferrying to Wellington. Neither of us are great on rough water and since we'll be meeting our tour group that day, didn't want to chance the outside possibility of a cancelled ferry. Suppose flights could be cancelled, too, but there are more options during the day which would still get us there in time.

So still debating lodging location for Night 1. Don't want to spend our first afternoon/evening sitting in a basic motel on the highway when we could be in a cute town. But there are some good reasons to stay closer, too. Not sure we'd be up for a wine tasting the first day either. Would prefer to just stroll around and refresh.

Picton isn't exactly busy (population 4.500), although it does get more activity than Havlock (population 486) because of the ferry.

Because you're staying within the sounds, I don't quite understand why you'd backtrack to Havelock to take the mailboat? Can't you pick it up from nearer your accommodation?

I understand your thoughts about the ferry. Makes sense.

What date will you arrive into Blenheim? I might have some thoughts on accommodation that aren't 'basic motel on the highway' (which is easy to avoid anyway).

Have you checked any of these? Definitely not road side motels!

http://www.tourism.net.nz/region/mar...-accommodation

http://www.winesofnz.com/vineyard-ac...n-marlborough/

http://www.marlboroughbb.co.nz/http:...ay/83:Blenheim

http://www.staymarlborough.com/selec...ID=0&StyleID=4

http://www.bachcare.co.nz/holiday-ho...rough/blenheim

http://www.greatnewzealand.co.nz/Dir...ay/83:Blenheim

Thanks, I looked at the sites you sent and found two possibilities. Brookby Cottage or Korohi Vineyard.

Most are not available on Tuesday, Feb 28 or are more than we planned to spend although they do look lovely and on another trip may consider them. This time looking between $150-200 NZ.

Very unusual for me to be looking for accommodations last minute so can understand the lack of availability.

Availability in your price range for your night here:

http://www.antareshomestay.co.nz/

http://www.angleseahouse.co.nz/

http://www.trescoblenheim.co.nz/

And here:

http://www.twotreelodge.co.nz/fastpa...p/templateid/1


https://marlboroughnz.com/listings/bonniebrook/

http://marlboroughjadetours.co.nz/jade-owl-b-and-b/


A night in a NZ B&B is not to be missed if you have the opportunity.

And here:

https://www.coedencottage.co.nz/

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/16882539

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/990092

I'm finding loads of not-roadside motel options in your price range for Feb 28.

You're AMAZING, Melnq8!

Off to shovel snow--3 inches of what was predicted to be 8-12, YEA.
Will check the places you've suggested while enjoying that cup of tea or glass of wine when I come in.

Have been waiting to hear back from Korohi Vineyard that I contacted last week. Hopefully that will work out.

So glad you convinced us to make this change instead of trying to drive even a short distance to Havelock. Just figured out the time and the entire trip from NJ including layovers will be 24 hours. UGH. But I'm sure spending 3 weeks in a beautiful country will be worth every hour.

So now we'll probably drive through Picton and the Queen Charlotte Drive on our way to the Sounds. On our return to Havelock 2 days later, does it make sense to leave time to visit Pelorus Bridge Reserve or should we just savor the time in the Sound as long as possible?

Also have a totally free day in Nelson during the tour. Any suggestions? Won't have a car at that point. Thinking of kayaking even though we may do it in the Sounds too.

I'm glad I convinced you too Clousie!

We once spent two nights in Rai Valley for the sole purpose of walking the tracks in the Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve. Unfortunately, due to the reserve's location, some of the tracks aren't very serene - think jake brakes coming down hilly SH 6 slowing to cross the single lane bridge and round the curves.

We did enjoy the Elvy Waterfall Track, and it was further from the road, so more peaceful.

My trip report from that particular trip is here:

http://www.fodors.com/community/aust...e-si-of-nz.cfm

I guess it comes down to what you want to accomplish. There are certainly some nice hikes at the reserve, and it might be a nice diversion along the way, but its probably not something I'd go out of my way for.

As for Nelson - so much to see and do there, but not having transport will be an issue.

Maybe a wine tour? Or a visit to the World of Wearable Art?

https://www.worldofwearableart.com/museum/

Nelson also has a craft beer trail and a vibrant arts and crafts community.

There are some nice tracks too - where is your accommodation?

Korohi was unavailable so have booked Angel Sea which is more in the town of Renwick. They can pick us up at the airport for $20. Wonder if a cab may be less.

Our hotel in Nelson is Grand Mercure Nelson Monaco Apartments, which unfortunately seems to be away from Nelson. However, I'm sure the company will supply some type of transportation to town or different activities. They won't leave us sitting at the hotel. We are going to the Museum of Wearable Art as a group.

Sounds as though it will be nicer to spend more time in the Sounds rather than visiting Pelorus Bridge. Will read your report.

Yeah, your hotel is five minutes from the airport, which is close to WOW.

The tour operator will probably have a list of options.

I kinda doubt a cab will be less than $20, but it never hurts to check.