Magical Marlborough
Fresh seafood, award-winning wines, craft breweries and picturesque sheltered bays are not the only unique highlights about Marlborough. With a relaxed lifestyle, the region offers endless activity options for everyone making it a great destination for a day trip or a perfect summer holiday.
Marlborough boasts brilliant weather, stunning scenery and an abundance of acclaimed mountain and road trails, including a Great Ride and three Trails along the New Zealand Cycle Trail, Nga Haerenga. This pedaller’s paradise has thrilling adventure, low key rides, and everything in-between.
This region offers a wide range of leisure activities, from swimming with dolphins and kayaking in the Marlborough Sounds, walks through forests and along the rugged coastline, as well as scenic boat cruising, fishing and water sports. The relaxed lifestyle and the flourishing wine and gourmet food industry in Marlborough are enjoyed by both locals and visitors alike.
Marlborough has many great cafes & restaurants in Blenheim, Picton, Renwick and Havelock. Enjoy a leisurely vineyard lunch sampling local gourmet food. The streets of these main centres are lined with a variety of dining options, from traditional Kiwi bakeries through to fine dining restaurants.
Marlborough is well-known for its Sauvignon Blanc and other white wines, as well as for its seafood. The region hosts a number of festivals through the year. The Marlborough Wine & Food Festival is the longest-running festivals of its kind in New Zealand. The annual festival features the finest of the local wine makers who present over 200 wines, alongside local food producers offering a variety of delicious products.
The Marlborough Sounds provide great opportunities for hiking. The Queen Charlotte Track is the most famous of these, which takes 3-5 days to walk or 2-3 days to cycle. The direction of the track can also be followed by sea using a kayak, and some visitors combine walking and kayaking over 5 days to complete the journey.
Day trips from Picton to the Queen Charlotte Sound are a great way to get a taste of Marlborough. Spend the day or overnight at Lochmara Lodge to explore part of the Queen Charlotte Track, enjoy a meal at their waterfront café, or partake in many of their onsite activities which include water sports, native animal encounters and a sculpture trail. Easily accessible by water taxi from Picton, Lochmara Lodge is a unique place to spend the day with the family, or longer for a special break away.
Day Activities in Marlborough
- Wine & Beer Tours – Boasting over 141 wineries and 4 unique breweries (including the Moa Brewing Company) jump on a guided beer and wine tour for an enjoyable day out with friends.
- Water Activities – Cruise the Marlborough Sounds, rent a kayak, visit the Pelorus Green shell Mussel Farm, explore one of the many islands or go fishing for sought after blue cod and snapper.
- Hire a Bike – Get some exercise and take in the stunning Marlborough scenery. A great activity for families and groups of friends.
- Visit Arapawa Island – A little piece of paradise. Get a glimpse of an old-world New Zealand you will never forget. Surround yourself with nature and get up close to native wildlife. Tour the Paua farm and sample locally grown Paua (abalone). Also producers of Paua pearls, see some of the most rare and beautiful pearls in the world.
- Discover the world-renowned WWI and WWII exhibits at Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre.
- Local Cuisine - Explore the local markets and artisan manufacturers to try locally grown produce such as chocolates, olives, honey, saffron, pinenuts, hazelnuts, garlic and sea salt.
- Family Friendly Walks – There are plenty of scenic walks in Marlborough suitable for families of all ages. Try the flat loop track at Wairau Lagoons Walkway near Blenheim. Enjoy the superb forest and river backdrop around the Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve near Havelock or the visit the excellent walking and mountain biking tracks at Wither Hills Farm Park.
