Discover Ship Cove
Pack a picnic lunch, bring your camera, and we’ll take you to a hidden place, the historic anchorage of early Maori and European explorers at the outer reaches of Queen Charlotte Sound.
Join our morning cruise to discover Ship Cove...
- A tranquil haven for early explorers
- A cove steeped in NZ history
- A place of solitude and reflection, accessible only by boat
- A glimpse of our past, with shoreline bush and waterfalls
Ship Cove was a place of abundance for early Maori and the favoured anchorage of 18th Century explorer Captain James Cook. Travel with us and you’ll discover why. It’s easy to explore for all ages, from a grassy shoreline reserve, surrounded by unspoilt native forest, with a gentle 20 minute walk through bush to a waterfall.
Learn more about Captain Cook, his visits, and Maori settlements and legends of the Sounds, via the excellent new signage - part of the Department of Conservation’s redevelopment of Ship Cove. Other new facilities include a large picnic table, a shelter, and toilets.
The more energetic can disembark at Resolution Bay for a 2-hour coastal hike over a ridge to Ship Cove, enjoying spectacular views of the Sound.
The return cruise to Picton visits Endeavour Inlet (named for Cook’s ship) and other locations, often encountering dolphins who love to ride the bow wave.