Taking a moment on New Zealand's Queen Charlotte Track in the Marlborough Sounds. Copyright Destination Marlborough
Stand Up Paddle Board
Pelorus River

Travel Style

Adventure

It's not what you do, it's how you do it.

If your idea of a great holiday is getting your heart rate and adrenalin to skyrocket or doing something super unique that can't be done anywhere else, then Marlborough is the perfect spot for your next adventure.

Get your blood pumping with world-class running and biking events, flying in planes, swimming with dolphins, playing golf on a remote farm or heading out on an epic mountain bike trek, hitting the snow or hunting down rare native species. Get into it!

Go Camping

Accommodation

Bring your tent or campervan and find a holiday park or DOC campsite to enjoy the views and outdoor activities.

Go Camping

Spot the king shag

Activities

Get a glimpse of the king shag, the second rarest bird in the world with a stagnant population of 500-600. The king shags nest near Motuara Island in the Marlborough Sounds.

Spot the king shag

Blenheim i-SITE Visitor Information Centre

Take the mail boat

Activities

Travel from Havelock or Picton and call in to isolated homesteads and secluded bays to deliver mail and groceries to families living in the Marlborough Sounds.

Take the mail boat

Blenheim i-SITE Visitor Information Centre

Bike Molesworth Station

Activities

Bike through the iconic Molesworth high country station, ending in Hanmer for a rejuvenating hot pool swim.

Bike Molesworth Station

Cycle Molesworth Guided Tour

Mount Tapuae-o-Uenuku

Activities

The highest mountain peak outside of the Southern Alps is visible from almost everywhere in Marlborough and central to Maori legend. Some climb it, and everyone admires it.

Mount Tapuae-o-Uenuku

Blenheim i-SITE Visitor Information Centre

Paddle the Sounds

Activities

Rent a kayak and paddle your way from bay to bay, choosing to be independent or guided.

Paddle the Sounds

Blenheim i-SITE Visitor Information Centre

Related Guide:

Walks
Accommodation

Walks

Get 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.

Marlborough walks can be as challenging as Mount Tapuae-o-Uenuku, as beautiful as the Queen Charlotte Track and as relaxing as the Taylor River reserve.

Whether you’re hiking for a day or a week, staying in a tent, hut or lodge, you’ll love the pace of Marlborough.

Start planning your walk with New Zealand Mountain Safety Councils Plan my Walk app. An awesome app that provides you with useful information of particular tracks, alerts, weather and what gear you will need. Click here to check it out

Read our guide

View My Trip