Tory Channel, New Zealand

Bluebridge ferry just leaving Wellington on route to Picton via the Tory Channel.














Interislander going past the Heads, into Tory Channel, from Cook Strait.


Tory Channel is the sea way from Wellinton to Picton. The trip takes approx 3 hours.
From 1911 to 1964 The Perano family ran a Whaling Staion from Tory Channel, one of the few shore based whaling stations in the world. Whales were hunted and harpooned, in Cook strait from quite small boats, not a very safe profession. There has been Whalers stationed in Tory Channel for much longer, some of the first white settlers to NZ came to live in this area and chase the huge marine mammals that were worth such a lot of money, not only for the blubber with its oil, but also for the whale meat and bones, and many other parts of the whale that were used for phamacuticals and medication.
It was a sad day for these Sounds residents when the whaling staion with all its history closed, but a day of celebration for the whales and all the people traveling past on the ferry, as there was an awful stink from that bay, of old rotten whale oil and bones.
Now days there is almost nothing to see but old sheds, but, sometimes there is the magnificent sight to behold when a small pod of whales cruising magesticly past, shooting spray high in the air through their blow holes. These wonderful marine mammals are now fully protected within New Zealands territorial waters, so they swim freely and safely, enjoyed by all who see them, but unfortunately many other Nations still hunt these creatures, from huge Whaling ships, for the cash crop from the meat and oil. Hopefully one day everyone will recognise that all Gods creatures have a right to be here, just as we do, and if one link in the chain of life is removed we will all be the losers in the long run.






The Interislander Ferry cruises past Te Pangu Bay, Tory Channel, Erle isfilleting blue cod we have caught in Te Pangu Bay, while staying at the local guest house.











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Sabina sailing boat in pretty Hitua Bay Tory Channel, where we moored up for the night.