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Lochmara Adventure: Explore Queen Charlotte Sound
4.3
13 Ratings
Picton
Explore Lochmara’s natural wonders with a scenic cruise, wildlife feeding, and unique underwater observatory. Perfect for nature lovers and adventure seekers.
Explore Lochmara’s natural wonders with a scenic cruise, wildlife feeding, and unique underwater observatory. Perfect for nature lovers and adventure seekers.
Duration:
8 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Lochmara Marlborough Sounds - Lochmara collaborates with DOC to breed the Red Crowned Kakariki for educational purposes and the Yellow Crown Kakariki for release. Their goal is to preserve these stunning species for future generations to appreciate. Guests are invited to participate in an educational walking tour in the afternoon, where they can…
- Lochmara Marlborough Sounds - Lochmara collaborates with DOC to breed the Red Crowned Kakariki for educational purposes and the Yellow Crown Kakariki for release. Their goal is to preserve these stunning species for future generations to appreciate. Guests are invited to participate in an educational walking tour in the afternoon, where they can witness the feeding of Kunu kune pigs, Arapawa goats, native eels, and the Red Crown Kakariki at a scheduled time. Alternatively, visitors can explore the 11-acre property on a self-guided tour with a provided map. Additionally, guests can enjoy a meal at the cafe or engage in kayaking and paddle boarding activities.
What's Included
- 20 Minutes Cruise
- Free use of Kayaks and paddle boards
- Nature walks
- 20 Minutes Cruise
- Free use of Kayaks and paddle boards
- Nature walks
What's Not Included
- Lunch
- Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
- Drinks
- Lunch
- Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
- Drinks
Additional Information
Spend a day or just a few hours at Lochmara in the Queen Charlotte Sound. Enjoy a delightful 20-minute cruise to Lochmara and explore a variety of activities. Take a self-guided walk around the 11-acre property, featuring interpretation panels on native flora and fauna. For those who enjoy a challenge, there is a 3.5 km access track to the Queen…
Spend a day or just a few hours at Lochmara in the Queen Charlotte Sound. Enjoy a delightful 20-minute cruise to Lochmara and explore a variety of activities. Take a self-guided walk around the 11-acre property, featuring interpretation panels on native flora and fauna. For those who enjoy a challenge, there is a 3.5 km access track to the Queen Charlotte Track. Participate in the daily hand-feeding of animals, including the Kakariki (native parakeet), and join a guided tour (additional fee applies) of the “Underwater Observatory - see below the sea without getting wet,” the only one of its kind in the top of the South Island.
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
Location
Lochmara booking office
London Quay
Please report to the office 30 minutes prior to departure, next to the coat hanger bridge, Wellington Street.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.3
(13 Ratings)
5 stars
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1 star
Maggie_n
Dec 15, 2025
'Dunedin a city to remember' - Travelled with Iconic Tours NZ. kim our bus driver and tour guide, gave us exceptional value. His charm, historical and local knowledge made our journey around Dunedin and Lochmara Castle a wonderful experience.
Review provided by Viator
Petermk8642rm
Apr 5, 2025
Very much built on a hill so could be difficult for some. - This is an amazing place on Marlborough sound. Just short boat trip from Picton it’s great place to go for an afternoon or you can stay there. I just went for afternoon. Plenty see and do. They look after various animals and birds and you can do a tour while you’re there. Also have one of the few underwater observatory there which was interesting. They do tours for that as well. Cafe had great food and coffee pleasant place to spend afternoon.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Duncan_n
Feb 5, 2025
Wonderul day at Lochmara - This resort is a special place and well worth the cost for a day trip. The staff are wonderful; very friendly and helpful. We enjoyed a long hike along the Queen Charlotte Track and interesting sightings of native birds and other wildlife. The food was great and service staff were excellent. Definitely a great excursion.
Review provided by Viator
Karen
Feb 9, 2021
Wildlife and good walking - Hard to choose what to do for a full day, but went with a day at Lochmara and we made the right choice. The booking was simple, every member of staff we met were warm and friendly and we had a fun day packed with wildlife experiences and decent walking. We paid extra for the underwater observatory and the private bath house and both were excellent value for money. The cafe food was delicious and had a great selection of light bites and fuller meals.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Marlb75
Jan 23, 2021
Do a little or as much as you like....you can even book to stay overnight - Do as little as you want or get back nature and go for a long walk...
Loved the boat ride out there especially from the back of boat. Once there my friends and decided to talk a walk and we weren’t disappointed with the views as we climbed. On the way back down (and kind of following the map) we discovered more interesting spots. Once back at our starting point, it was lunch and wine time... yummy food. We when got ice cream and headed to the small beach area and watched our friends two boys go out in the kayaks and paddle boards. (There were included along with the boat ride there and back)
The staff were wonderful and so was the boat skipper who took us out and back
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Michelleandjase
Dec 30, 2020
Great family day out - Great family day out. Very laid back, great cafe restaurant with good options for kids and adults and lots to see while onshore. We took the 10:30am boat over and 3:45 back so around 5 hours there and that felt about right. Beach is safe and great for swimming, kayaking and SUP, and the underwater experience was well worth it if visiting with kids. Lots of things to see while out and exploring - birds, animals, crumps camp etc. Not too touristy which we loved, just a relaxed and well catered spot for a day out. Recommended for family's.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Maureenstevens2018
Feb 18, 2020
What a great day out - We went to Lochmara Lodge with the boat and lunch option. This was great value for money, especially when we could have also used the kayaks and paddle boards if we had wanted to. The lunch was very nice, with plenty of choices. Our Australian visitors were so impressed they are thinking of spending a couple of days staying there on their next visit. Thanks for a great day.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
X2810hfmichellew
Oct 26, 2021
Lovely day trip - Had a fabulous time. With two small kids (3&1)it was well worth it, however is not pram friendly.
Staff were so lovely and welcoming. We will definitely be back when the kids are abit older.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Brynkoru
Feb 24, 2021
Good day out - This is a stunning location and the water activities are real fun with crystal clear water and safe sheltered bay - some of the wildlife attractions and other points of historical interest are looking a little dated and could do with a revamp and the paths are not easy to follow and not suitable for the elderly or those unsteady on their feet.
However this did not spoil our day out at this great little spot in the sounds.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kiwitraveler73
Jan 13, 2021
Great bay, but don’t eat there - Took the day trip - if I went again I would eat lunch in Picton rather than have to queue for 30 minutes to place an order then wait for a further hour for the meals. The meals were ok - nothing special.
Also paid for the underwater observatory- pretty underwhelming and not worth the money. It was supposed to start at 3.30 - started 10 minutes late - don’t bother with it - spend your time on the beach or looking around or a walk instead.
The bay is beautiful, great to kayak and swim there.
Although they had a shortage of children’s life jackets (most had broken zips).
Beautiful bay - stunning scenery.
They are under prepared in peak season - and here I was thinking that nz tourist companies were desperate for our dollar.
Staff not very helpful when I asked when my meal will arrive - this and the wasted money on the underwater observatory ruined a good day.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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