Travel: Nature lessons in the picturesque Marlborough Sounds
As we drove through the windy roads of Marlborough, a scared goat jumped from the side of the road through a bush leading to a steep cliff face.
A couple minutes later the “Goat Hill Track” appeared. Coincidences like this could only mean one thing ... We were in the sounds. A place where the outdoors is the only TV channel.
Dylan du Ross recently left Hawke’s Bay and is sharing his travel experiences around New Zealand.
Goat Hill viewpoint.
The Goat Hill viewpoint track was a great place to start the journey, with its dirt floor littered with leaves, cicadas trying their best to burst my eardrum and beautiful altitudinous trees.
Ever since my first hike I've wanted to learn more about the flora and fauna that decorates New Zealand. It's a regret of mine that I never paid much attention when learning about this at school.
A little green sign detailing a scarlet flowering rata vine – or ratapiki – gave me my first chance. The potential height of over 15m and how it flowers in autumn/winter (one of the only natives to do so) interested me.
It's scary how much there is to learn outside, my mind can't even comprehend it. We moved onto Okiwi Bay.
Okiwi Bay was where all the fun was. Holiday homes outlined a body of water where “blue” is the only word that comes to mind.
The bay is the definition of fun outdoors, as boat after boat gets lodged into the water.
Jet skis, kayaks and canoes were also heavily apparent. However, if those activities are too pricey, a swim in the water looks just as good. I loved it. It's funny how people build these amazing houses around them, just to sit on their decks, and appreciate nature.
Okiwi Bay
Elaine Bay
It was astonishing how each bay could be as stunning as the next. Elaine Bay however, properly introduced me to the cheekiest animal I've ever met. The Weka. This flightless bird seemingly flourishes in Marlborough Sounds.
Pinching backpackers’ tea cups, jumping into caravans and constantly trying to cadge food like that one annoying friend at lunch. I'd like to learn how this bird does so well for itself compared to the kiwi. We left the bay to continue our adventure to French Pass.
Elaine Bay Wharf
The journey along the gravel road to French Pass was breath-taking. It got to the point where every 150m we had to make a stop as we witnessed the same view from a slightly different angle.
My vocabulary was quickly exhausted as there was just too many scenes to react to. I must have sounded like a poorly trained parrot, saying “wow”, over and over again. The cows gave me a moo, they were sick of me.
We made it to the French Pass campsite which offered its own set of views from sea level. Flat seas at the foot of rolling hills with pebbly beaches to separate them. We were camping on land worth millions for $12 a night.
What more could you want? I'm finally starting to learn that there are thousands of extra TV channels available, I just had to turn off the screen.
Maggie helping make dinner with a view.
However, if there was a channel showing the local fire service in action, I'm sure it would be a favourite.
