French Pass, D’Urville Island, Marlborough Sounds

The nearby narrow shipping passage between the mainland and an island, first navigated by French Captain D’Urville, gave the small settlement its name, “French Pass“, known to the Māori as Te Aumiti. During tidal changes, water rushes through the strait at up to 8 knots. The island was also named after the captain and forms the northernmost tip of the Marlborough Sounds. The drive to the end of the road, through forests, farmland and along the coast, constantly offers breathtaking panoramas.