mrwunrfl

The place near Picton is the Portage Resort Hotel.

Melnq8

Regarding Marlborough Sounds lodging -

We've dined at the Portage (food was very good), but haven't stayed there, although we've considered it. They've gotten mixed reviews on TripAdvisor.

You might also want to take a look at Craglee Lodge - we popped in there during our last stay at BOMC and met one of the owners - it looks like a nice place.

We had a bad experience at Punga Cove several years back and based on TA reviews, they're still having problems. We were there again in August, just passing through while walking the Queen Charlotte Track, and from a strictly visual viewpoint, it seems not much has changed since we stayed there.

mrwunrfl

Nelson looks like a nice town. Beautiful day today. I wish I could stay awhile. If I had only known there is to be a lingerie parade this evening! At Ahllensteins Arcade, 6-8PM.

I decided on Wednesday in Taupo to spend Thursday night in Wellington. Took the bus from Taupo to Napier on Wednesday and spent the night at the Scenic Circle hotel. Nice enough place, very good location.

I loved taking a self-guided tour of the art deco buildings and the small park.

Flew to Wellington on Thursday and visited Te Papa.

I found that the Kiwi Experience bus was stand-by only, so I bought a $16 ticket on the Intercity bus. The ferry ride was fun. Cold and cloudy in Wellington. Warm and sunny in Picton. The scenery in the sounds is beautiful.

When I got to Picton I asked about renting a car for the day. Got turned down, for day hires, by 5 or 6 places. Finally, Budget was willing to rent me a car with dropoff at Nelson without the $80 dropoff fee.

I drove the Queen Charlotte Drive. The best parts were at the beginning: about a mile out of Picton is a great view of the harbor.

There was a cruise boat in the harbor named the Statendam. When I was in Auckland it was at port and later that day I saw it sail out. When I was in Napier, that boat had just left.

The other good part, best part of the QC drive is just east of Havelock. There is a lookout there, it is marked, down a one lane road. Park at the circle at the end and walk the trail 100 feet and there are great views of the sounds on one side and Havelock and the valley and mountains on the other side.

All the part of the between those two points - just outside Picton and just outside Havelocki - was really optional. Extremely winding road.

Will now find the airport and then drive a bit west.

mrwunrfl

nelsonian, I thought I was taking your advice about arriving at the airport at 5 minutes till 6PM but now see that you reccommended 5 minutes after. You were right, of course. Very easy airport to use.

After I found the airport and found that I could drop the rental car directly in front of the terminal, I headed west at 4PM. I didn't have any plan, unfortunately, except to go west for an hour and then come back. I went past Motueka and towards Abel Tasman NP. Drove the road up and up and up figuring that I might get to the crest of a ridge, but the road just kept ascending. I turned around at 4:55PM and headed back.

I took the train yesterday from Wellington to Auckland. Good trip to do once. Went to Bay of Islands today, to the treaty grounds and then a cruise, and I loved it. It was a beautiful day.

Wonderful country here in NZ. Great, wonderful people. Fun to be in a place where English is the principle language.

This is an outstanding place for a holiday.

Melnq8

<This is an outstanding place for a holiday.>

Couldn't agree with you more.

Glad to hear you're having a good time.

Melnq8

<I went past Motueka and towards Abel Tasman NP. Drove the road up and up and up figuring that I might get to the crest of a ridge, but the road just kept ascending. I turned around at 4:55PM and headed back.>

Takaka Hill maybe? Takaka Hill separates Mouteka from Golden Bay.

Or maybe you were headed towards Marahau (entrance to Abel Tasman on the Motukea side)?

mrwunrfl

Towards Marahau is where I should have gone, I think.

Going north from Motueka Hwy 60 came to a T. The highway continued left, up into the mountains, and I followed it. I was following a sign to ATNP, but at that T at the last minute I think I saw it point to the right to Abel Tasman. I was confused because the signs had seemed to indicate that I needed to stay on 60 to get to the NP.

The right turn, that I should have taken, was Riwaka Kaiteriteri Road.

mrwunrfl

The flight back from Nelson was interesting when I saw the eastern end of the Wairau Valley just before the plane flew over Blenheim. Interesting view since I was able to recognize it for what it was. Then the view included Cape Campbell before turning to Wellington.

The drive west from Havelock to Nelson was interesting except for the mountains to the west of the Rai valley. Coming down towards Nelson the road was winding back and forth. The driver two cars in front kept breaking every 5 seconds. It was a pain.

Might have preferred going down 63 towards Rotoiti. But I'll never know for sure. No regrets in any case.