TOURS WITH A CONSCIENCE
WORDS Liam Stretch PHOTOS Supplied
Most Kiwis like to think they are pretty well-travelled, but chances are you’ve never made it into our backyard’s most unique spots. Step in Driftwood Eco-Tours, taking New Zealanders and international visitors alike to hidden gems throughout God’s Own.
Run by husband-and-wife team Rose and Will Parsons, Driftwood Eco-Tours is refreshing and environmentally conscious in its approach.
“We started in 2004, and our policy right from the very beginning was to give back to the communities that we work with, be that a farmer, a conservation area, a wetland – we would make a donation of some sort to any one of those places, because we felt to get something of value to that area, you’ve got to give something to that area,” says Will.
Tour options range from learning about Moriori culture on Chatam Islands to historic D’Urville Island, Molesworth to Port Ligar and Pelorus Sound, with many others in between.
The pair say that each tour is personalised.
“They’re kept small and unique, with the aim to hopefully educate people on the unique landscape of New Zealand flora and fauna.”
One such tour is Port Ligar. On the Marlborough Sounds’ western side, Port Ligar is a farm property that includes native forest, excellent farm tracks, and wildlife.
Rose and Will say it’s a chance for people to experience history they may not know about New Zealand, and the stories are as engrossing as the scenery.
Throughout the tour, guests stay in the beautiful Waitata Lodge, hosted by locals Debra and Mike Brennan. Having arrangements with local landowners has enabled Rose and Will to get their guests into places unlike anywhere else.
Stopping off at D’Urville Island and French Pass – named for the French colonial exploration in the region – guests will hear some of the island’s colourful stories from the guide. The day includes visiting lookouts and mineral belt, boasting various plants and intriguing rocks such as serpentine.
Joining other local legends, Gary and Ellen Orchard take guests through to the Pelorus Sounds on their launch, a region overflowing with history and nature. There’s also a bushwalk through Bulwer – once surveyed to be a town in 1859, it was a depot for ships sailing by. Not eventuating into a village, the settlement later became known as McCaulelyville after the McCauleys bought up the majority of the titles after the family’s arrival in 1886. Weather permitting, there is also a chance to take in the Chetwood Islands.
Continuing the couple’s dedication to local, the meals are crafted by Marlborough-based catering company Karaka Kitchen, which can be easily prepared in the well-appointed kitchen at Waitata overlooking the bay.
The tour includes pick up and drop off from anywhere in Blenheim. On top of the trip of a lifetime, every trip contributes to the donation the Parsons make back to the communities and environments that make Aotearoa so special – there is particular attention currently paid to the eradication of wilding pines, with $100 per visitor committed to Marlborough Sounds Restoration Trust.