Exclusive Day Excursions in the Marlborough Sounds

Forest Trails Day Excursion: Experience the serenity and beauty of Pelorus Sound, enjoy nature, stretch your legs, check out a remote off-grid luxury lodge, and savour local food.

Our day excursions are an ideal way to experience the untouched beauty of Pelorus Sound in the breathtaking Marlborough Sounds, and are a perfect outing for corporate team-building events, pre- and post-Christmas socials, or for friends and families wanting to enjoy a special day.

At Homewood, 8km of forest trails and 6km of shore walks await you, to explore, walk, hike, mountain bike or run. A cold lunch buffet is served at the Lodge, featuring locally-sourced food.

What to Expect

For your self-guided walk, run, or ride, we provide trail maps and handouts describing some of the wildlife, flora, and points of interest. The forest trails are well formed, well marked, and require a moderate fitness level. We can direct you to less or more intense walks, depending on your ambition for the day. You will need suitable outdoor clothing and footwear.

Many species of native and introduced wildlife make their home at Homewood. Wekas, fantails, bellbirds, wood pigeons, and tuis are commonly seen. You might be lucky enough to encounter a resident NZ falcon, one of NZ's rarer birds. Perhaps dolphins will perform acrobatics in the bay. One trail leads to a kahikatea tree almost 2m in diameter, over a thousand years old, that has several trees of other species rooted on its limbs. You might have a chance encounter with seals, deer, or goats.

The area is rich in Maori and pakeha history. You can see the site of a grisly cannibal episode, and learn the stories behind Coffin Rock and Capsize Point.

Some will be intrigued with our off-grid, water-access-only, solar-powered style of operation.

Availability

The Day Excursion is available for pre-booked groups between 8 and 20 people from 12 December 2020 to 15 April 2021.

Booking

The cost for this unique experience is $65 per person, including lunch buffet.

Bookings are required at least 2 weeks in advance, with a 50% payment due at the time your booking is confirmed. As space is limited, we recommend booking early to secure your preferred date. Major credit cards are accepted, as well as direct bank deposit (NZ only). Payment of 50% is due at the time of booking, and the remainder on the day of the excursion. A 50% cancellation fee applies for cancellations less than 7 days before the excursion date. In the event of a government-issued Alert Level 3 or 4 a full refund will be made. Terms and conditions apply.

Transportation

The scenic ride down Pelorus Sound to Homewood is an enjoyable prelude to the excursion, with a chance to see dolphins and orca, along with mussel farms and abundant bird life. Some groups provide their own transportation; or if you prefer we can help you to coordinate this with local water transport operators. The cost of commercial transportation typically runs between $70 and $90 pp return.

To make a booking, email: info@homewoodbaylodge.co.nz