Marlborough
Search Marlborough Accommodation | Search Marlborough Activities
Marlborough is a beautifully scenic region with high sunshine hours and a great variety of countryside ranging from coast to mountains. It is also one of the most well known outside of New Zealand – even by those who have never visited – by virtue of the worldwide popularity of the delightful Sauvignon Blanc wines that are produced here. And, in many cases people will have also heard of the famous Marlborough Sounds.
Row upon row of well manicured, healthy, green vines and gorgeous turquoise waters are the image that one conjures up when the name Marlborough is mentioned … and reality certainly lives up to the image.
Marlborough is quite a large region, and can be conveniently split into four sub-regions, namely: Havelock, Pelorus, Kenepuru; Picton,Queen Charlotte Sound; Blenheim, Renwick, Wairau; Awatere, Pacific Coast.
Here are some brief highlights for each of these sub-regions, starting with the wine producing area first.
Blenheim / Renwick / Wairau There are vines as far as the eye can see, right the way across the Wairau Plain. There are many wineries that you can visit, sample and purchase from the cellar door. Visitors can take a self drive tour (there are well designed local maps available) or if you wish take a guided tour (many options to choose from). Blenheim (population 30,000) is a great touring base, and is a fascinating place to explore with lots of history, museums, arts and crafts, attractive gardens, and plenty of shops. There are cafes, and restaurants to sample the local vintages and locally grown food produce.
Picton / Queen Charlotte Sound For many this is the first glimpse of the region as they arrive on the inter island ferry from Wellington, and enjoy the careful navigation of this unique of waterways.
Picton (population 4,000) is the gateway town, full of history from early Maori settlement, to the nearby landing of Captain James Cook, and is now home to one of the world’s oldest ships. The bay and waterways are a true haven for wildlife including dolphins, seals, penguins and many more. The best way to experience this is to join a local cruise or perhaps charter a boat. It is an adventure playground for humans too, with fishing, diving, sailing, and kayaking all popular and easily accessible pastimes. On dry land there is also the famous Queen Charlotte Track, a 71 kilometre long, 3 to 5 day walking track that runs from Ship Cove to Anakiwa. It is an excellent track, all you need is a good pair of walking boots and a fit pair of legs ! For those who prefer it is possible to follow the same track on mountain bike too. There is plenty of accommodation to choose from along the way, and arrangements can be made to have your baggage transported for you.
Havelock / Pelorus / Kenepuru If the Queen Charlotte Sound has beauty with activity then the Kenepuru, Pelorus and Makau Sounds have beauty with tranquillity. Havelock is the focal township, previously a Maori settlement and one tome gold mining town, it is now more famous as the greenshell mussel capital of the world ! - being the port for the local mussel farms in the nearby Sounds. Whilst many will take to the water – fishing, diving, sailing, water skiing, swimming and kayaking are all available here – it is also possible to drive around the area and even right up to French Pass overlooking D’Urville Island. Fly fishing is also popular inland along the Pelorus River.
Awatere / Pacific Coast As you move away from Blenheim the scenery changes and becomes more hilly with wide river valleys. Vineyards and wineries are still to be seen, but also sheep farming is practised here. Over to the east coast lies the Pacific Ocean and a wilder rocky coastline in sharp contrast to the gentleness of the Sounds. Along the coast one finally arrives at the town of Kaikoura and the next region of Canterbury.
Search Marlborough Accommodation | Search Marlborough Activities