Before we went and checked in for the ferry we took advantage of the free hours our midday sailing had given us and drove up to Mount Victoria lookout. The drive up the steep, winding, narrow roads was enough to set your heart racing but we made it in one piece thanks to Ben’s careful driving. The views from the top were truly spectacular!
At 196 metres high the lookout point gave us 360 degree views out across the city, the surrounding area and the Cook Strait where the ferries ambled into port.
In the distance we watched as our Bluebridge ferry docked at the harbour, and took it as a sign that we should head down and check in.
After a short wait at the ferry terminal we drove onto the ferry and parked up on the upper car deck. We bid Wellington farewell at 1pm, sitting on the back decks taking in the views as we sailed out of the harbour.
We sailed along the coast heading west, with the Miramar peninsula (of the North Island) on our right and views across to the mountainous north east coast of the South Island on our left.
Half way through our voyage we headed into the Marlborough Sounds; described by Geologists as ‘drowned valleys’ formed millions ago by the mountains sinking and allowing the ocean to flood into the low lying areas.
The narrow gateway to the top corner of the Sounds (pictured above) was well navigated by our captain and we were soon well on our way through the stunning maze of deep coves and secluded bays fringed by native forests.
We arrived at Picton on schedule and drove straight to our campsite at Waikawa Bay.
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