Getting to Marlborough

By Road

Once you're here, Marlborough is an ideal place to explore by road, with little traffic and lots of scenery. Picton, Blenheim are linked by State Highway 1, but there are plenty of other roads to explore. Much of Marlborough’s stunning landscape is accessible by vehicle, with brilliant scenic drives taking you to a range of towns, valleys, hills, mountains and coastlines across the province.

The Queen Charlotte Drive links Picton and Havelock, and travels via beautiful scenery, or turn off after Rai Valley to drive to French Pass.

If you would like to rent a car or campervan, there are plenty of options from budget to luxury.

Please drive safely

We want your driving experience in Marlborough to be absolutely brilliant, so please - when you're visiting our region it’s important to drive safely and follow New Zealand's road rules. While many of Marlborough’s roads are tar-sealed and wide, some are narrow, have one-way bridges, and may even have loose gravel and wandering farm animals.

If you're visiting from another country, we encourage you to learn more about driving in New Zealand at the New Zealand Transport Agency website.

By Air

Arrive by air and get a birds eye view of the intricate waterways of the Marlborough Sounds, the stunning mountains at the tip of the Southern Alps, the braided strands of the beautiful Wairau River, and an ocean of grapevines in the valleys.

Marlborough Airport is a 20 minute flight from Wellington International Airport and a five minute drive to Blenheim. You can also fly into Koromiko Airport halfway between Picton and Blenheim. Either way, you’ll get a Brilliant view of Marlborough’s landscapes, from snowy peaks to sunken Sounds.

Two airlines fly direct to the region. Air New Zealand fly to Marlborough Airport from Auckland and Wellington. Sounds Air fly to Marlborough Airport from Christchurch, Wellington, Napier and Paraparaumu, and also from Wellington to Picton Airport (Koromiko).

By Bus

Sit back, relax, and enjoy the views as you travel by bus in Marlborough. This is a great option for those without a car, with opportunities to visit towns such as Picton, Blenheim and Havelock. You can get to Marlborough with InterCity.

Once you're here, you can travel around the region with Hop on Hop off or around Blenheim with the Blenheim Bus Service.

By Bike

If you're planning on cycling from Christchurch, check out the alternative cycle route, or via State Highway One here.

By Boat

Bring a boat with you, charter one here, or jump aboard a water taxi or cruising tour to explore the Marlborough Sounds.

Whether you choose to head out by sail, kayak or cruise, a boat is the perfect way to explore the Sounds.

By Ferry

Cruise past remote bays, baches, islands and native bush as you travel through the Marlborough Sounds - one of the most picturesque ferry journeys in the world. You can travel between Wellington and Picton with Interislander or Bluebridge.

Watch for pods of dolphins and soaring seabirds from the deck, or sit back and enjoy great coffee in the comfort of an armchair, taking in the view. The journey from Wellington to Picton takes approximately three and a half hours.