Marlborough Sounds travel guide

Background

The sounds exhibit evidence of Maori settlement from as early as the 14th century, but the most famous early historic association was with Captain James Cook, who visited them on each of his three voyages in 1770, 1773-1774 and again in 1777. He was particularly fond of Ship Cove near the mouth of Queen Charlotte Sound, which he visited five times; a monument in Ship Cove commemorates his visits. As you might expect, Cook is responsible for many place names in the area.

Other less celebrated visitations included those of Abel Tasman (before Cook) and French navigator Jules Dumont d’Urville in 1827. It was D’Urville who discovered the chaotic and incredibly narrow passage of water between the mainland and D’Urville Island which guards the northwestern corner of the sounds. He called this strait French Pass, or Passe des Français, and it remains as much of a threat to shipping today as it did to the early navigators. In the same year as D’Urville’s visit, London whaler John Guard established Marlborough’s first European settlement, and the country’s first land-based whaling station at Te Awaiti Bay, on Arapawa Island in the Tory Channel. Guard went on to explore and name Pelorus Sound in search of other suitable sites for settlement. Apart from the whaling stations and some early attempts at farming, the area, due to its topography, remained sparsely populated, keeping much of its native bush intact. Sadly, much of that bush has now given way to the ubiquitous sheep.

Festivals and events

For further information on other annual events and specific dates contact the VIC (I-Site) or look up the regional website http://www.marlborough4fun.co.nz.