Discover Romance in Marlborough
Whether you're celebrating an anniversary, setting off on your honeymoon, or planning a romantic getaway for two, Marlborough is the perfect spot to escape the crowds and enjoy some one-on-one time with your significant other. Plan your trip with this list of unforgettable activities and exclusive accommodation options that are sure to put butterflies in your stomach, and have you reaching for those Do Not Disturb signs.
Come and wine-down!
From its award-winning wines and delicious culinary experiences heroing locally produced ingredients, Marlborough is a true haven for wine aficionados and foodies.
Imagine cycling through vineyards, stopping at cellar doors and tasting world-class wines, before indulging in a delicious long lunch surrounded by vineyards. Cue collective dreamy sigh. We’re not talking about Tuscany, this is Marlborough - home to dozens of cellar doors within a very close radius and not a hill in sight - ideal for a relaxed and fun wine tasting experience by bike.
For more serious wine connoisseurs, a wine tour is highly recommended for those wishing to make the most of their stay. There are many fantastic local tour operators, providing a wide range of tour options, including private tours in luxury cars.
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Cycling & Mountain Biking
Bike 2 Wine
Bike 2 Wine is operated from Olde Mill House B&B in Renwick, the heart of the Marlborough wine region. We have over 20 cellar doors for tasting within an easy to cycle 5km radius of us.
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Wine Tours
Wine Tours by Bike
A very warm welcome from Steve, Jo and their team. If the idea of spending time cruising on bikes, relaxing in beanbags, nibbling on cheese platters, indulging in gourmet food, tasting beautiful wines, chatting with winemakers and hearing their stories takes your fancy, we would love to make that happen for you.
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Wine Tours
Little Marlborough Wine Tours
Spectacular Marlborough wine tours with a legendary and fun tour guide, tailored specifically for you and up to 3 friends.
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Wine Tours
Bubbly Grape Wine Tours
Come and join our local guides on a fun, relaxing Marlborough wine tour and wine tasting experience - a fun filled tour with hosts as "Effervescent as Champagne".
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Wine Tours
Discovery Wine Tours
Roots to Glass- We are Discovery Wine Tours of Marlborough.
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Wine Tours
The Orginal 'Marlborough Wine Tours'
Daily Group Tours and Private Wine Tours in Marlborough, New Zealand.
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Wine Tours
Jimmy’s Classic Marlborough Wine tours
Jimmy’s Classic Marlborough Wine Tours caters for small groups of up to four people, with a focus on boutique, family owned wineries to give you an exclusive Marlborough wine tasting experience.
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Wine Tours
Private Marlborough Wine tour - with a Winemaker
Would you like a Private tour of Marlborough's finest wineries with your very own Winemaker as your Tour Guide?
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ActivitiesActivities
Winery Express Tour - Hop n Grape Tours
The Winery Express tour with Hop N Grape Wine Tours starts at 10.30am and finishes at 12 and is perfect for travellers who have to keep moving but want to learn about Marlborough’s wine industry.
Not interested in Wine?
For something other than wine, Marlborough is also home to a number of craft breweries and a boutique gin distillery. Dodson Street Beer Garden is located next door to Renaissance Brewery and is a great spot for relaxing with a brew, or head along to Boomtown Beer Garden or Moa Brewery for a cold pint under the trees. The Gin Room is THE place to taste some of the rare boutique gins produced right here in New Zealand, including the award winning Roots Marlborough Dry Gin.
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Gourmet Experiences and Tours
The Roots Gin Shack & Tasting Room
Visit Roots Gin Shack - Marlborough’s home of award-winning gin.
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Restaurants and Cafes
Dodson Street Beer Garden
Our Blenheim Restaurant features Cuisine from Germany, Italy and Kiwi Classics.
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Beer & Breweries
Moa Brewing Company - Tap Room
Visit the brewery where it all started for Moa, now focused on developing exciting and award winning new products, plus premium and specialty brews.
Food glorious food...
For long lunches, book a table at any of the winery restaurants and you won’t be disappointed. They all have their own unique style and menu, but proudly champion some of the amazing local produce that is grown, foraged, farmed and hunted in this amazing region. If you happen to be in Blenheim on a Sunday, head along to the Marlborough Farmers’ Market and taste your way around the region - from goat’s cheese, to honey, fresh fruit and vegetables, artisan breads, olive oils, pine nuts and cured meats.
At the end of the day, nothing is more romantic than heading out for a meal at a delightful restaurant with a table booked for two. There is a wide range of excellent restaurants in and around Blenheim, but you can’t go past the innovative cuisine and outstanding service at Arbour Restaurant (Two Hats, Best Regional Restaurant in New Zealand 2022). And another long standing, award winning local favourite is Scotch Wine Bar and Wine Shop (One Hat and Best Wine Experience 2022). If you’re on a romantic holiday, dinner at Frank’s Oyster Bar and Eatery is clearly a must and booking a table at the beautiful Harvest Restaurant is also highly recommended. Click here to our top picks for the best spots to drink and dine in Blenheim.
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Winery Cellar Doors & Wine Tastings
Saint Clair Vineyard Kitchen
Saint Clair Vineyard Kitchen is situated on the corner of Rapaura & Selmes Road about ten minutes from the centre of Blenheim.
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Restaurants and CafesRestaurants and Cafes
Allan Scott Bistro at Allan Scott Family Winemakers
This is the stop you won't want to miss on Marlborough's Golden Mile.
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Winery Cellar Doors & Wine Tastings
Wither Hills Cellar Door & Restaurant
The iconic Wither Hills winery is situated just five minutes from central Blenheim on the Southern side of Marlborough's Wairau Valley, lying in the lee of the Wither Hills range.
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Winery Cellar Doors & Wine TastingsWinery Cellar Doors & Wine Tastings
Cloudy Bay Jack's Raw Bar Marlborough
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Restaurants and Cafes
Arbour
A sole chef restaurant experience with kind, welcoming service. When you dine at Arbour you simply relax and enjoy what Bradley is cooking.
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Restaurants and Cafes
Harvest Restaurant
At Harvest, the ethos is simple - authenticity... We aim to create a space that celebrates authentic hospitality where you can relax, enjoy and have your every need anticipated.
Serenity in the Sounds
Exploring the Marlborough Sounds is a must, offering hidden luxury, stunning views, and dreamy sunsets. With over 1500 kilometres of coastline, the Sounds’ inlets and emerald waters are perfect for relaxation and unforgettable memories. Numerous tour operators provide amazing experiences, especially in Tōtaranui/Queen Charlotte Sound, where you can enjoy wildlife, rich history, and breathtaking scenery from the water. Activities include morning cruises to Motuara Island Bird Sanctuary, swimming/watching various dolphin species, hiking or biking the Queen Charlotte Track, and kayaking through hidden coves. For an elevated experience, Helicopters Nelson & South Pacific Helicopters, offers thrilling heli-picnic sightseeing tours to remote, breathtaking locations. Pelorus Air will take you to the wider Pelorus Kenepuru Sounds for breathtaking scenic flights.
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ActivitiesActivities
E-Ko Tours
World-Class Wildlife & Nature Tours in New Zealand
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Boat CruisesBoat Cruises
Beachcomber Cruises
Beachcomber Cruises are the Marlborough Sounds cruise, transport and Queen Charlotte Track transfer specialists.
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Tours
Marlborough Tour Company
Discover Marlborough with us.
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Walking & HikingWalking & Hiking
Wilderness Guides NZ
Let our team show you the Queen Charlotte Track and Marlborough Sounds. We live, work and play in this fantastic region - your guides are local people, have grown up here and call this area home.
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Scenic Flights
Pelorus Air
Locally owned and operated, Pelorus Air offers a great opportunity to access the Marlborough Sounds and the top of the South Island.
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Walking & HikingWalking & Hiking
Marlborough Sounds Adventure Co
We have been providing comprehensive, hassle-free adventures in the Marlborough Sounds for over 25 years.
More on the Marlborough Sounds
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Picton & Tōtaranui Queen Charlotte Sound -
Havelock & Te Hoiere Pelorus and Kenepuru Sound -
On the WaterExplore 1500km of winding coastline, secluded bays, historic sites, marine reserves and island sanctuaries, fostering kiwi and other native species. -
Queen Charlotte TrackThe 72km Queen Charlotte Track offers a rich history, incredible scenery and the freedom to walk or mountain bike without heavy gear with a network of water taxis available to transfer you to and from the track, and transfer your gear to your accommodation each night.
Romantic retreats
Whether you base yourself in Blenheim, Picton or the Marlborough Sounds, there is a wide range of accommodation options in Marlborough. From charming vineyard cottages, modern self-catering vineyard accommodation to luxury eco-resorts in the Marlborough Sounds, you’ll be sure to find somewhere unique to relax and make the most of your time in this beautiful part of the world.
Set among stunning scenery in the magnificent Queen Charlotte Sound, Punga Cove is the perfect retreat with options to explore by foot, bike or kayak. Whether you’re stopping by for a pizza and pint at their waterside Boatshed Café & Bar, or staying the night, Punga Cove is the ideal way to immerse yourself in nature.
Whether you’re after adventure or relaxation, Bay of Many Coves offers world-class cuisine, breathtaking scenery and restorative spa treatments. Nestled between stunning native bush and a secluded bay this five star resort is the perfect way to treat you and your loved one to some serious down time.
And if you prefer the solitude and pristine beauty of Te Hoiere/Pelorus and Kenepuru Sounds, book a room at Hopewell Lodge, Te Mahia Resort or Te Rawa lodge.
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Bed and Breakfast
St Leonards Vineyard Cottages
Boutique vineyard cottages, Marlborough.
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Lodge
Bay of Many Coves Resort and Spa
Bay of Many Coves is a five star luxury lodge in the Marlborough Sounds. Relax in a spacious apartment with uninterrupted views of the blue waters and native bush clad hills.
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Hotel
The Marlborough
Experience the relaxed elegance of The Marlborough.
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Lodge
Punga Cove Resort
Set among stunning scenery in the magnificent Marlborough Sounds, Punga Cove is the perfect retreat, surrounded by nature.
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Lodge
Hopewell Lodge
The very best in New Zealand Hospitality! Welcome to Hopewell, a Supreme Award winning self-catering lodge set in a stunning location on the waters edge of the magnificent Kenepuru Sound, Marlborough Sounds, New Zealand.
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Motel
Te Mahia Bay Resort
Te Mahia Bay Resort is found in one of the most beautiful bays in the Marlborough Sounds, at the top end of the South Island, New Zealand.
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Lodge
The Lodge at Te Rawa
Lodge accommodation in Pelorus Sound.
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AccommodationAccommodation
The Nineteenth Vineyard Accommodation
Luxury self-catering accommodation in Marlborough.
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Lodge
Furneaux Lodge
Furneaux Lodge in New Zealands Marlborough Sounds offers waterside accommodation and dining along the Queen Charlotte Track.
You may be interested in...
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Your Marlborough Winter GuideWinter in Marlborough promises clear blue skies, high sunshine hours and calm sparkling waters. The wildlife has come out to play, and the fireplaces are lit in the cellar doors. Settle in and we'll help you plan the perfect Winter trip to Marlborough. -
Family friendlyTake the stress out of planning what to do with the whole family, and explore these options that will keep everyone happy. There's a place for everyone here. -
WalksGet to know Marlborough step by step, via walking tracks to alpine peaks, golden trails on working farms and native bush walks in the Marlborough Sounds. -
BikingMountain 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. -
10 Blenheim restaurants you need to eat at right nowFrom fine dining set in the vines to lively Brazilian-inspired fare and casual gastro-pub eats, no matter what you’re craving, there’s a place for you on this list. -
Winter Fireplace TrailWhen visiting Marlborough, why not take yourself on a foodie adventure and taste locally grown Greenshell™ Mussels. Seventy percent of New Zealand’s Greenshell™ Mussels are grown here in the Marlborough Sounds as this environment provides a perfect growing space for them.