Kaipupu Point Sounds Wildlife Sanctuary and the Bluebridge Cook Strait Ferry

“Restoration of an indigenous Marlborough Sounds environment,
for ever, for everyone.”

This is the vision for the Kaipupu Point Sounds Wildlife Sanctuary.

Kaipupu Point is a small but prominent headland situated at the southern end of Queen Charlotte Sound, between Picton Harbour and Shakespeare Bay. The size of the sanctuary area is approximately 40 hectares and it is part crown reserve administered by the Department of Conservation and part private land owned by Port Marlborough New Zealand Ltd, our foundation partners in this project.

Photo of Kaipupu Point by Geoff Pearson, taken from Mt Freeth.

The Kaipupu Point Mainland Island Society was established in 2006. The long term goal of our society is to establish a wildlife sanctuary on Kaipupu Point in a ‘mainland island’-style through the eradication of introduced pests, animals and plant species. The first major part of this, the predator proof fence, has been completed.

Our intention is that the mainland island at Kaipupu Point will involve and engage the community, with public access encouraged for locals and visitors alike. This is an extremely worthy project of great environmental, educational and tourism value for Marlborough and New Zealand.

Our mission:
To enrich the community through the restoration and guardianship of an indigenous Marlborough Sounds wildlife sanctuary, in which the natural ecosystems, native flora and fauna flourish in a predator-free environment that can be appreciated by all