Picton & The Queen Charlotte Track

I took the ferry from Wellington to Picton. Some people choose to fly but I don't understand why because it is a beautiful boat ride. The Interislander boat also has a lot to offer passengers:
- bar with flat screen TV (where I was able to watch my first netball game)
- restaurant
- movie theatre
- lounges
- jungle gym for kids
- room with cribs
- viewing decks
The trip can be rough when going through the Cook Straight but my trip was great with lots of opportunities to take good pictures while traveling trough the sounds.

I stayed at a great hostel where i was able to store some stuff before i headed out onto my hike. http://www.sequoialodge.co.nz/

The next morning I got a water taxi that drove me and a couple from the US to the beginning of the Queen Charlotte Track. Depending on how much you want to walk people take 3-5days to walk the entire track. http://www.qctrack.co.nz/

I walked 15km on day one and stayed at a really nice lodge "Furneaux Lodge" where they had nice backpacker cabins but no cooking facilities so I had to eat at their expensive restaurant. Staying here reminded me of my summers in Muskoka.

On day two I walked 12.7km and stayed at my first "homestay" which is basically when someone rents out rooms in their house. This woman, Noeline, has been hosting backpackers for over 30 years!

On day three it was raining so I was happy that I had planned on getting the water taxi back to Picton. Once back in Picton I met up with Sounds Connection for my half day wine tour! There were seven of us which was a nice size group. We visited four wineries:
- Drylands
- Giesen
- Bancott Estate
- Cloudy Bay
The first three wineries provided us with multiple tastings. Giesen even had a side room with a big table set up for us with at least 8 different wines sampled. Cloudy bay only provided 2 complimentary tastings and then you had to buy other ones which I think all of us did.