Close to Home: To the island

Grand old steamboat TSS Earnslaw on spectacular Lake Wakatipu. Photo / Dennis Richardson

As well as a variety of charter options, catamaran MV Odyssea offers scheduled excursions in the Marlborough Sounds. The next sailing is on October 3.

Contact: 0800 990 800
On the web: marlboroughtravel.co.nz


South in spring

Any time is a good time for a Lake Wakatipu cruise but spring means warmer days with snow still on the mountains. At Walter Peak Station, spring lambs add a touch of magic.

Contact: 0800 656 501
On the web: realjourneys.co.nz

Dolphins in the Bay

Tauranga's Dolphin Seafaris make getting up close to the abundant marine mammals a breeze.

Contact: (07) 577 0105
On the web: nzdolphin.com

Silent treatment

Opotiki's Art Deco DeLuxe Theatre hosts the Opotiki Silent Film Festival, September 4-6. All feature films have live piano accompaniment.

On the web: silentfilmfest.org.nz

What women want

This month's Travel Night speaker at the Auckland Central City Library is Rosemary Neave, who developed the online travel guide for women, Women Travel the World. It's on Level 2, September 14, 6pm. Contact: (09) 377 0209

On the web: aucklandcitylibraries.com