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Marlborough Regional Information
A world of wine and sunshine
If you arrive in the region by sea or air, the intricate detail of the Marlborough Sounds engages your interest immediately. Maori legend describes the entire South Island as Maui's waka (canoe), wrecked on a reef during a fishing expedition. The shattered bow of the canoe became the Sounds.
Marlborough basks in year-round sunshine, providing perfect conditions for walking, mountain biking, sea kayaking and vineyard explorations.
It's a region where you can pick a theme and follow it through. Focus your itinerary on outdoor adventures, vineyards and wineries, arts and crafts, history and gardens or marine pursuits. Better still, mix them up and experience a little of everything this beautiful region has to offer.
Vines and wines
Marlborough is New Zealand's largest grape-growing and wine-making region. The broad, sweeping plains are home to about 70 wineries. Discover and enjoy on a self-drive, bicycle or guided tour.
The Marlborough Sounds
Bordered by forest that rises almost vertically from the water's edge, three drowned river valleys offer 1500 kilometres of sheltered beaches and waterways for sailing, cruising, kayaking, fishing and diving.
Queen Charlotte Track
This spectacular walking track winds through 71 kilometres of native forest, along ridges and beside idyllic coves. Travel with a local guide to learn about the habitat and hear the local Maori legends.
Blenheim
The heart of New Zealand's premiere wine growing region.
Blenheim is situated in the northeastern tip of New Zealands South Island, on the flat lands of the Wairau Plains. It is the largest town in the Marlborough region, New Zealand's largest grape growing and wine making region.
The town is the service centre for the flourishing wine industry. It enjoys one of New Zealand's sunniest climates, with hot summers and crisp winters. At Blenheim's centre is Seymour Square, a pretty park with fountains and a clock tower. Its other gardens include the attractive Pollard Park. Brayshaw Historic Museum Park houses a collection of restored colonial buildings and farming machinery, set out as a reconstructed colonial village. The park also has a boating pond and a miniature railway. Nearby Wither Hills Farm Park has a network of walking and mountain bike tracks and offers views over the Wairau Plains and Cook Strait.
One of the main attractions in the surrounding region is its excellent wineries. It is possible to tour many of the wineries and sample their wines. Many also have restaurants where visitors can enjoy a fine meal. One of the highlights of Blenheim's calendar is the annual Marlborough Food and Wine Festival.
In the Awatere valley, to the south of Blenheim, is Molesworth Station, New Zealand's largest cattle farm. It is a popular location for an excursion into the high country. It's is a scenic area of mountains and river valleys, and has an historic homestead.
Picton
Picton in the Marlborough Sounds is the terminus for the Cook Strait ferries. It is a pretty, small town and is also gateway to the beautiful Marlborough Sounds, a series of flooded valleys that open onto the Cook Strait. The Sounds have picturesque bays and beaches, excellent fishing, and the stunning Queen Charlotte Walkway. The Picton foreshore gently curves between the two. Here there is a beach, Kiwi golf, a children's playground and at weekends mini yachts and a small train to be enjoyed for the price of a silver coin.
The historic Edwin Fox provides an interesting insight into maritime history and Seahorse World exhibits the local sea life, and various species of Seahorse. Whilst the super yachts and pleasure boats rest in the marina past the our boat wharfs.
While children play or swim, adults can relax or stroll by the sun-spangled sea, framed by sculptural Phoenix palm trees. From Picton, the Sounds waterways stretch into the distance and activities from dolphin watching, fishing, kayaking and bush walking, jet skiing and paragliding can be enjoyed.
Hire a boat for the day and explore the pristine beauty and tranquility of the Queen Charlotte Sound's many bays and beaches. Walk through the native bush enjoying the New Zealand birdlife and spectacular vistas. Or simply relax in the sunshine outside your motel apartment with a cool drink - you're on holiday!
Kaikoura
Wide open spaces, braided rivers, mountains and whale watching; Kaikoura has it all.
Kaikoura (its name is Maori for seafood) is a small town of just over 3,000 on the East Coast of the South Island, between Christchurch to the South and Marlborough to the North.
Situated at the foot of the spectacular Kaikoura Ranges, Kaikoura is renowned for its excellent crayfish and there is fine selection of excellent cafes and restaurants serving the local specialties.
The deep seas and warm currents in the seas off Kaikoura provide an abundance of food for marine life. Sperm whales, Orcas and dolphin are attracted to the area and are a popular draw card for visitors. Whale watching and swimming with dolphins trips operate year round from the town.
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