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
Mondo Kopua Biking enthusiast
"The top of the south has some of the best riding in the country. There’s a huge range of trails and I think it’s just getting better and better."
My insider guide to MarlboroughCheck out the latest art exhibition
Head to the Millennium Public Art Gallery, across from Seymour Square in the heart of Blenheim. See the latest cutting edge exhibitions from local and national artists.
Millennium ART Gallery
Sample local sparkling wine
While you're here you must sample a Méthode Marlborough. Premium quality sparkling from the Marlborough region has a history as long as it's flagship variety Sauvignon Blanc.
Blenheim i-SITE Visitor Information Centre
Garden Marlborough Festival
Enjoy workshops and tours at the Nelmac Garden Marlborough Festival, and be in sure to stay in town for the famous Fete at Seymour Square.
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
Marlborough Farmers’ Market
Devour a beautiful brunch at the Sunday morning Marlborough Farmers’ Market or cool down with fresh-fruit ice creams and juicy cherries.
Blenheim i-SITE Visitor Information Centre
Drink craft beer & eat pizza
Eat pizza and drink Rennaissance craft beer at Dodson’s, looking through to the brewery at work or enjoying the sun in the garden.
Dodson Street Beer Garden
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Fishing on the Wairau
Whether it's spin or fly fishing, the Wairau River is a great spot to have a go at hooking a delicious trout for your lunch or dinner.
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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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Compare vineyard sub-regions
Visit cellar doors in the Wairau, Waihopai, Awatere and Omaka Valleys, comparing the flavour profiles of each sub-region.
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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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