Guide
Suggested Trips
Check out these recommended trips in Marlborough. These are a few sample itineraries that are a great starter to planning your unforgettable trip in Marlborough.
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Marlborough Highlights
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Taste Bud Sensation
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Walks, bike rides and kayaking
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Family Fun
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Marlborough Heritage
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Luxury Retreats & Wine Tours
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Stephanie McIntyre
“We are so spoilt in Marlborough when it comes to great food. We’ve got crayfish from the east coast and salmon, oysters and mussels grown in the Marlborough Sounds."
Marlborough Highlights
This itinerary has been designed to fit into a shorter New Zealand itinerary featuring Marlborough's two most well-known assets, wine and the Marlborough Sounds.
DAY 1
Wine Country
Arrive in Marlborough in the morning ready to start your wine tour late morning. Join a guided van or bike tour, or hire a bike, and choose from more than 30 cellar doors, tasting award winning wines along the way. Indulge in a leisurely lunch at a vineyard restaurant, and pair the wine with local produce to create the ultimate match made in Marlborough.
Stay the night in your choice of Marlborough accommodation whether it be in the heart of Blenheim, amongst the vines or in the seaside town of Picton.
Arriving early? Full day wine touring options are also available or make time for a visit to the internationally acclaimed Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre, with its theatrical displays of WWI and WWII aircraft and memorabilia.
Fun Fact: Omaka's WW1 exhibition is a collection of Peter Jackson's (the man behind The Lord of The Rings movies) aircraft, and the scenes have been helped come to life by Weta Workshop.
DAY 2
The Marlborough Sounds
Make your way to Picton or Havelock – two scenic seaside towns and gateways to the Marlborough Sounds. Spend some time in Picton and Havelock exploring boutique shops and galleries, relaxing at cafes with brilliant views, or exploring the surrounding walking and biking trails.
Explore the Marlborough Sounds, where 1500km of winding coastline is home to secluded bays, historic sites, marine reserves and precious island sanctuaries, which foster kiwi and other native species. Cruise or kayak your way through the Marlborough Sounds, home to dolphins, whales, seals and seabirds. Walk or cycle over bush clad ridgelines of the 72km Queen Charlotte Track (A to B on the Map) starting at Ship Cove, Captain Cook’s favourite NZ landing site. If you're short on time, you can also walk just a section of the track, with watertaxis providing return transfers from Picton. The watertaxis also come into their own with the option of having your heavy packs transfered to your accommodation each night, allowing to walk with just a day pack.
If you're looking for an unforgettable drive out of Havelock, head out towards the iconic Pelorus Bridge, before heading into the Marlborough Sounds and out to French Pass for one of the most scenic drives in New Zealand. Another scenic drive is to travel between Picton and Havelock via Queen Charlotte Drive, offering stunning views out to the sounds.
These are just ideas to get you started, you can easily spend a few weeks here in sunny Marlborough.
Search & book
Winery Cellar Doors & Wine Tastings
No.1 Family Estate

Wine Tours
Wine Tours By Bike, with Steve and Jo - Self-Guided Bike Hire in Marlborough

Blenheim
From $40.00
Lodge
Raetihi Lodge

From $290.00
Walking & Hiking
4 Day Classic Unguided Walk - Queen Charlotte Track

Tours
4WD Molesworth Station Tagalong Tour

Ferries & Water Transport
Arrow Water Taxis

Wine & Food
Artisanal Vineyards of New Zealand

Winery Cellar Doors & Wine Tastings
Auntsfield Estate

Boat Cruises
Beachcomber Cruises

Picton
From $50.00
Bed and Breakfast
Beachfront Villas

Marlborough Sounds
Cycling & Mountain Biking
Bike 2 Wine

Blenheim
Wine Tours
Bike Hire Marlborough

Blenheim
From $35.00
Cycling & Mountain Biking
Bikefit Marlborough

Shuttles and Transfers
Blenheim Corporate Cars

Venues and Accommodation
Brancott Estate Heritage Centre

180 Brancott Road, RD2 Blenheim
Studios & Galleries
Brian Badcock Gallery

22 Leitrim Street, Redwoodtown, Blenheim
Wine Tours
Bubbly Grape Wine Tours

From $115.00
Winery Cellar Doors & Wine Tastings
Clos Henri Vineyard

Wine & Food
Cloudy Bay Cellar Door Marlborough

Activities
Coast to Coast Helicopters 2013 Ltd

Charter Boats
Compass Charters

Boat Cruises
Cougar Line

Picton
From $40.00
Wine Tours
Discovery Wine Tours of Marlborough

From $50.00
Activities
E-Ko Tours

Shuttles and Transfers
Executive Shuttle

Wine Tours
Explore Marlborough Biking Wine Tours

From $20.00
Gourmet Experiences and Tours
Explore Marlborough Driving Wine Tours

From $35.00
Studios & Galleries
FUSIONART Marlborough

Organics, Oils & Boutique Produce
Gourmet Collection

Winery Cellar Doors & Wine Tastings
Hans Herzog Estate - Cellar Door

81 Jeffries Road Blenheim Marlborough
Charter Boats
Havelock Sea Charters

Tours
Hop 'n Grape Tours - Marlborough Full day wine tours & Half day wine tours

From $50.00
Ferries & Water Transport
Interislander - Cook Strait Ferry

From $50.00
Ferries & Water Transport
Interislander Day Excursions

Wine Tours
Jade Tours

Blenheim
From $100.00
Winery Cellar Doors & Wine Tastings
Johanneshof Cellars

Wildlife & Conservation
Kaipupu Sanctuary

Bed and Breakfast
Korohi Vineyard

Blenheim
From $160.00
Shopping
Lilac Wine

Lodge
Lochmara Lodge

Marlborough Sounds
From $150.00
Winery Cellar Doors & Wine Tastings
Mahi Wines

Fishing and Hunting
Maraqeta Lodge and Fishing Tours

Studios & Galleries
Marlborough Art Gallery - Te Kahu o Waipuna

Cnr Alfred and Seymour Street, Blenheim
Wine & Food
Marlborough Icons Tour

Blenheim
From $220.00
Gourmet Experiences and Tours
Marlborough King Salmon

Walking & Hiking
Marlborough Sounds Adventure Co

Tours
Marlborough Tour Company

From $50.00
Walking & Hiking
Marlborough Walking Adventures

Walking & Hiking
Marlborough Walking Adventures - Nydia Track

Beer & Breweries
Moa Brewing Company

Driving Adventures
Molesworth High Country Tours

Blenheim
From $798.00
Winery Cellar Doors & Wine Tastings
Mount Riley Wines

Cycling & Mountain Biking
Mountain Bike Adventures

Activities
Natural Encounters Walks

Winery Cellar Doors & Wine Tastings
Nautilus Estate

Venues and Accommodation
Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre

79 Aerodrome Road, Omaka, Blenheim
From $50.00
Rental Cars
Omega Rental Cars Blenheim

Rental Cars
Omega Rental Cars Picton

Cycling & Mountain Biking
Pacific Cycle Tours

Scenic Flights
Pelorus Air

Kayaking & Rafting
Pelorus Eco Adventures

Havelock
From $125.00
Boat Cruises
Pelorus Mail Boat Ltd

Havelock
From $60.00
Boat Cruises
Pelorus Sound Water Taxi and Cruises

Wildlife & Conservation
Pelorus Tours

Ferries & Water Transport
Picton Water Taxis

Scenic Flights
Precision Helicopters Ltd

Snowsport
Rainbow Ski Area

Scenic Flights
RidgeAir Heli Adventure Packages

Fishing and Hunting
RidgeAir Heli Hunt Adventures

Tours
RidgeAir Heli Rafting

Wine Tours
RidgeAir Heli Wine and Dine

Blenheim
From $699.00
Air Transport
RidgeAir Helicopter and Fixed Wing Charter Services

Studios & Galleries
Riverlore Art Gallery

Winery Cellar Doors & Wine Tastings
Rock Ferry Cellar Door

Bed and Breakfast
Ryland Estate

Blenheim
Winery Cellar Doors & Wine Tastings
Saint Clair Vineyard Kitchen

Kayaking & Rafting
Sea Kayak Adventures

Boat Cruises
Seafood Odyssea Cruises

Picton
From $73.00
Winery Cellar Doors & Wine Tastings
Seresin Estate

Air Transport
Sounds Air

Fishing and Hunting
Sounds Connection - Fishing Charters

Picton
From $125.00
Shuttles and Transfers
Sounds Connection - Transport

Blenheim
Wine Tours
Sounds Connection - Wine Tours

From $85.00
Winery Cellar Doors & Wine Tastings
Spy Valley Wines

Charter Boats
Steadfast Traditional Sail

Marlborough Sounds
From $85.00
Air Transport
Tasman Helicopters

Nelson City
Wine Tours
Taste Marlborough Wine Tour

Blenheim
Wine & Food
Taylor Pass Honey Co

Winery Cellar Doors & Wine Tastings
Te Whare Ra Wines

Boat Cruises
The Magic Mail Boat

Shopping
The Quilter's Barn

Shopping
The Sewing Store - Bernina Sewing Centre

Venues and Accommodation
Tira Ora Family Estate

From $575.00
Holiday House
Tui Nature Reserve Wildlife Park

Winery Cellar Doors & Wine Tastings
Whitehaven Wines Cellar Door

Kayaking & Rafting
Wilderness Guides

From $100.00
Winery Cellar Doors & Wine Tastings
Wither Hills Cellar Door & Restaurant

Winery Cellar Doors & Wine Tastings
Yealands Estate

Wine Tours
Your Local Chauffeur
