Marlborough isn’t just known for its fresh seafood, award-winning wines, craft breweries, and stunning sheltered bays. Beyond these unique highlights, the region boasts a laid-back lifestyle and countless activity choices, making it an ideal destination for an unforgettable summer holiday catering to all tastes and budgets.
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Cycle Trails
Marlborough boasts brilliant weather, stunning scenery and an abundance of acclaimed mountain and road trails, including a Great Ride and 3 Trails along the New Zealand Cycle Trail, Nga Haerenga. This peddler’s paradise has thrilling adventure, low key rides, and everything in-between.
Accommodation in Marlborough
You are spoilt for choice for accommodation options in the Marlborough region. From affordable motels near the vineyards and ferry, bed and breakfast lodges through to luxury lodges and stunning retreats in the Marlborough Sounds, this region caters for all budgets.
The Marlborough Sounds
The Marlborough Sounds is a stunningly picturesque network of sea-drowned valleys. It’s renowned for its natural beauty, featuring intricate coastlines, bays, coves, peninsulas, and islands. The area is characterised by its serene waters, lush forests, and rich marine life.
Many lodges, resorts, and retreats offer visitors a chance to unwind in the tranquility of the Sounds, offering spa treatments, gourmet dining, and beautiful views.
The Sounds is a paradise for nature lovers, adventure seekers, and those looking for a peaceful retreat amidst stunning natural landscapes.
Water Activities
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.
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.
Local Cuisine
Marlborough has many great cafes and 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.
Sample famous locally grown NZ green lip mussels picked straight from the sea.
Explore the local markets and artisan manufacturers to try locally grown produce such as chocolates, olives, honey, saffron, pine nuts, hazelnuts, garlic and sea salt.
The relaxed lifestyle and the flourishing wine and gourmet food industry in Marlborough are enjoyed by both locals and visitors alike.
Marlborough Wine Region
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.
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.
Day Activities in Marlborough
Hiking
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.
Kayak the amazing Pelorus River in Havelock, New Zealand’s most beautiful river on a Hobbit Kayak Tour. Enjoy a unique adventure at one of the most famous filming locations of ‘The Hobbit’ movies.
Take a Scenic Flight – Fly over Marlborough’s amazing vineyards, wineries and national parks – or perhaps pay a visit to one of the region’s wonderful lodges and resorts.
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.
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.
