Glaciers in New Zealand
Maori children
Northland, New Zealand
Queen Charlotte Sound
Routeburn Track
Boating in Taupo
Tongariro, New Zealand
Wellington, New Zealand

Off the Beaten Track to... D'Urville Island

D'Urville Island is an island in the Marlborough Sounds along the northern coast of the South Island. Named after French explorer, Jules Dumont d'Urville, the island has an area of approximately 150 square kilometres, is the eighth-largest island of New Zealand and has roughly 50 permanent residents. Its Māori name is Rangitoto Ki Te Tonga.

The island is separated from the mainland by the dangerous French Pass, known to Māori as Te Aumiti. Here the water races through on each tide at up to eight knots creating whirlpools, eddies and currents, a truly awesome passage feared and respected by mariners.

The road from Rai Valley to French Pass village was built in 1957. The drive is spectacular with visitors rating it the most scenic drive in the country (surpassing Milford and Queenstown). French Pass village on the mainland sits opposite D'Urville Island and is a quiet fishing, farming and tourist village with a safe swimming beach, picnic areas and DOC campsite. From here, it is possible to be picked up by water taxi to the D'Urville Island Wilderness Resort located in the beautiful Catherine Cove. This resort has been described as 'the Sounds' best kept secret'.

Image Source: Tourism New Zealand. Hanmer Springs foresty, Canterbury, New Zealand

Things to Do on D'Urville Island

  • Stay at the Wilderness Resort – luxury beachfront units or self-contained baches
  • Enjoy a fully licensed cafe & bar
  • Enjoy native birds including Tui, Bellbird, Bush Robin, Weka, Kaka and other species
  • Watch for Blue Penguins and other sealife
  • Take a diving, snorkelling or fishing charter
  • Go hunting, walking or mountain biking
  • Go sea kayaking or swimming
  • Visit Catherine Cove's waterfalls

More Information

To help plan your holiday activities in the Marlborough Sounds region, simply choose from the main categories below:

More Off the Beaten Track Suggestions

If you want to discover some of New Zealand's hidden treasures, travel to some out-of-the-way places and see sites that many travellers and tourists miss out on, look at more of our 'Off the Beaten Track' suggestions.

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