HomeOutward Bound New Zealand is located at Anakiwa in the Queen Charlotte Sounds at the top of the South Island.
You'll need to organise your journey to and from Picton (or CHCH airport for our Journey course) but there are plenty of ways to get there!
Location
Where is Anakiwa?
Outward Bound New Zealand is located at Anakiwa, nestled on the shores of Queen Charlotte Sound at the top of the South Island.
We recognise Te Ātiawa as tangata whenua of Anakiwa, and together we value the diverse history of this special location.
Arrival & Departure
All participants are required to organise their own travel to and from Picton.
Outward Bound staff will meet you on the harbourside of 2 Wellington Street, Picton - across the street from Oxley's Bar & Kitchen.
Look for the Outward Bound signs and please check-in with our staff when you arrive, they will be wearing branded clothing.
If you are delayed call us on 0800 688 927. We will call your emergency contact if you do not arrive.
Remember to eat a good-sized lunch before your course begins.
On the final day of your course, Outward Bound will drop you off at your arrival location, 2 Wellington Street, Picton, for you to make your way home.
Course start:
12.30pm* on the harbour side of 2 Wellington Street, Picton
Don't stress if your ferry is scheduled to arrive in Picton at 12.30pm - we have lots of participants arriving on this ferry.
If your arrival time in Picton is scheduled or anticipated to be later than 12.30pm, please notify us ASAP. We have a firm Picton departure time and late arrivals may be responsible for covering their travel costs from Picton to Anakiwa.
*11.30am start for Professional + Women in Leadership courses
Course end:
12.30pm* drop off at 2 Wellington Street, Picton
*3pm drop off for Professional + Women in Leadership courses
Booking your travel
** PLEASE DO NOT BOOK YOUR TRAVEL UNTIL YOUR MEDICAL FORM HAS BEEN ACCEPTED BY OUR ENROLMENTS TEAM **
By Air:
The closest airports are Blenheim and Picton. Flights to the course must arrive before 12pm (11am for Professional courses) and return flights should depart after 2pm (4pm for Professional courses) to allow time for your connection.
Book your flight to Blenheim with Air New Zealand at www.airnz.co.nz, or to Picton with Sounds Air at www.soundsair.com. Marlborough Shuttles (0800 203 027, info@marlboroughshuttles.co.nz) offers a shuttle service from Blenheim to the course meeting point in Picton.
By Ferry:
Your ferry to the course must arrive in Picton at 12.30pm at the latest (11.30am for Professional courses) and your return ferry must depart after 1pm (3.30pm for Professional courses).
Don't stress if your ferry is scheduled to arrive in Picton at 12.30pm - this is perfect!
By Train:
South Island: Your transport to the course must arrive before 12.30pm (11.30am for Professional courses) and your return transport must depart after 12.30pm (3pm for Professional courses) at the end of the course. An overnight stay in Christchurch is usually required if traveling from the West Coast or South of Christchurch.
North Island (to connect with ferry): take a train or bus to Wellington. An overnight stay in Wellington is usually required to arrive at your course on time, or take an overnight bus. Book your bus with www.intercity.co.nz or your train with www.tranzscenic.co.nz.
By Car:
There is no parking available at Outward Bound. For information on parking in Picton, visit the Marlborough District Council website.
Interislander discount
Use promo code Outward1 in your online ferry booking (www.greatjourneysofnz.co.nz/interislander) to receive a 10% discount off the best available fare.* Confirmation of your course to be shown on request at check-in.
* Promo code is not available during peak travel period from 15 December - 14 January. Promo code can only be used when booking on the Interislander website or through the Interislander call centre. The code is not valid for use at travel agencies or i-SITEs. All other Interislander Terms & Conditions still apply.
Discounted Accommodation in Picton
There is a range of accommodation on offer in Picton if you need to overnight there before or after your course.
Tombstone Backpackers
Our friends at Tombstone Backpackers in Picton offer a 10% discount to all OBNZ students when they book direct with them via their website, email or phone – just show proof that you are a course participant when checking in and mention this when making your booking - the discount is applied at check-in.
Tombstone offers a large range of rooms with everything from a self-contained apartment to bunk rooms and prices to suit all budgets. As part of your booking, you'll enjoy breakfast, WIFI, an outdoor spa, bicycles, off street parking and a pickup/dropoff service free of charge.
Piwaka Lodge & Backpackers
Piwaka Lodge & Backpackers offer a 10% discount to all OBNZ students and travelling family members. Simply let them know you're attending an OB course when you book via their website, email or phone.
They have shared dorm rooms and private rooms, all include free WIFI, breakfast and free on-site parking.
Tombstone Backpackers
Piwaka Lodge & Backpackers
Keeping in touch during your course
Letters are the best way of keeping in touch whilst at Anakiwa:
Outward Bound School
Private Bag 403
Picton 7250
You can also receive 'care packages' (sweet treats etc.) while on your course. These need to be sent by courier to our physical address.
Outward Bound School
387 Anakiwa Road
RD1, Picton 7281
IMPORTANT! Please note that due to our rural delivery address, delivery can take up to 5-7 days. Therefore we recommend care packages and letters are not sent for students on 5 or 8 days courses or posted to students in their last week of a 21 day course. We can not guarantee the package will be delivered in time.
Please remember you will not have personal phone or email contact available during your course.