Our Region
Blenheim, Renwick and Wairau
Blenheim in Marlborough, New Zealand
Marlborough's main town, Blenheim, has great cafes, galleries and shops wrapped up within the picturesque Taylor and Opawa rivers, a short distance to the region's world famous wineries.
There's an abundance of vineyards and cellar doors surrounding Blenheim, so explore the stunning Wairau Valley and discover why the world is in love with Marlborough wine.
Central Blenheim is best explored by foot, with an abundance of great cafes, restaurants shops and galleries, along with popular walkways along the Taylor River Reserve.
Walk a little further afield to get to Pollard Park, a beautiful botanical garden, playground, golf course and exercise trail.
The Marlborough Farmers’ Market is held at the A&P Showgrounds every Sunday morning and the Marlborough Artisan Market is on in town on Saturdays.
A short drive or bike ride will take you to the world-class Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre, where World War One history comes to life thanks to the talents of the team behind The Lord of the Rings.
The centre’s Knights of the Sky exhibition features The Hobbit director Sir Peter Jackson’s personal collection of WW1 aircraft and memorabilia. This story of aviation in the Great War is brought to life in sensational sets created by the internationally acclaimed talent of WingNut Films and Weta Workshop.
Captivating scenes depict the aircraft in context, sometimes recreating an incident that actually happened in the war. Rare memorabilia is on display, worthy of any national collection and ranges from beautifully crafted ‘trench art’ through to personal items belonging to the famous Red Baron.
Or head to the historic Brayshaw Park and Marlborough Museum, where exhibitions include Te Pokohiwi - The Wairau Bar 1250 AD, a land mark exhibition of the Wairau Bar archaeology site, place of the earliest known graves in the country and key to understanding daily life in the 13th century.
Marlborough’s world famous wine industry is on Blenheim’s back doorstep in the Wairau Valley, so make sure you taste its sublime wines amid the vines that grew them.
Head to nearby cellar doors for a taste of Marlborough’s flagship sauvignon blanc, along with award winning aromatics, pinot noir and sparkling wine.
Lunch at a vineyard restaurant to try some amazing local cuisine, including garlic, asparagus, olive oil and cherries grown in the Wairau Valley, and King (Chinook) salmon, oysters and Greenshell mussels from the Marlborough Sounds.
The Wairau Valley is also home to rich heritage and ecology, and a great way to learn more about both is on a kayak trip on the Wairau Lagoons, where Royal Spoonbill, shag, bartailed godwit, herons and terns can be spotted. Learn some of the history of Maori here, and of whalers and pioneering settlers.
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Popular in Blenheim, Renwick and Wairau
Cressida Bishop Director Millenium Art Gallery
“There are a massive amount of interesting creative things going on here, and you need to stop and take the time to see them.”
My insider guide to MarlboroughRichmond Range
Hike or mountain bike through native bush to a DOC hut on the Richmond Range, then up through alpine flora to one of its beautiful peaks.
Blenheim i-SITE Visitor Information Centre
Saint Clair Vineyard Half Marathon
Put on your running shoes for the Saint Clair Vineyard Half Marathon in May, a stunning run through private vineyards.
Blenheim i-SITE Visitor Information Centre
Buy cherries at a roadside stall
Marlborough is bursting with delicious cherries in December and January. Stop by any roadside stall to pick your own or buy them already packaged. The true taste of summer.
Blenheim i-SITE Visitor Information Centre
Journey through WWI
Explore the living history of aircraft at the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre, created by Weta Workshops and Wingnut Films, who also made 'The Lord of the Rings'.
Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre
Visit boutique wineries
Hunt down small, artisan boutique wineries and learn about what makes them so special - whether European influenced, organic, or family owned and run.
Blenheim i-SITE Visitor Information Centre
Marlborough Wine & Food Festival
Head to the Marlborough Wine and Food Festival in February, for a great line up of Marlborough wine & food, along with fantastic music.
Blenheim i-SITE Visitor Information Centre
Featured
Soak up the view at Brancott Estate
Get there early in the morning when it’s quiet and have a coffee looking at the view.
Featured
Linger at cellar doors
Savour Marlborough pinot noir in front of a toasty fire, or enjoy a lunch made from premium local ingredients at a vineyard restaurant.
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Wither Hills Farm Park
Head to the Wither Hills Farm Park, on the outskirts of Blenheim, where a multitude of trails wind up to stunning views of the Wairau Valley, Mount Tapuae-o-Uenuku and Cloudy Bay.
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Biking
Mountain bike Marlborough’s epic high country trails and coastal ridges, road bike undulating routes at the edge of the sea, tour on long flat runs through vine-clad valleys or take the whole family biking along one of the region’s many rivers.
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.
Popular in Blenheim, Renwick and Wairau
i-SITE visitor information services
Blenheim i-SITE Visitor Information Centre
Venues and Accommodation
Chateau Marlborough
Hotel
Chateau Marlborough - Blenheim
Restaurants and Cafes
Marlborough Vintners Hotel
Bed and Breakfast
The Peppertree Luxury Accommodation
Lodge
Vintners Retreat
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