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!

Camp on Blumine Island

Head to the predator-free island, Blumine Island in the Marlborough Sounds, and hear kiwi at night and wake to a beautiful dawn chorus, before walking to the WW2 gun emplacement.

Blenheim i-SITE Visitor Information Centre

Cruise with dolphins

Go dolphin watching, and learn about all the marine wildlife you see along the way, including seabirds and seals.

Royal Spoonbills in Wairau Lagoons

See Royal Spoonbills in their mating plumage and Godwits on their annual migration, while you paddle the Wairau Lagoons.

Sounds sunset by water

Head out by boat or kayak to find a bay all to yourselves, with a gourmet picnic and a Marlborough riesling or sauvignon blanc. Then watch the late afternoon sun slowly set.

Marlborough Sounds sunset. Photo: Daniel Forster

Blenheim i-SITE Visitor Information Centre

Take the mail boat

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.

Blenheim i-SITE Visitor Information Centre

Spot the king shag

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.

Blenheim i-SITE Visitor Information Centre

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Walk and bike Picton

Explore the walking and biking trails around Picton.

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Dream date in the Sounds

Catch the early morning summer boat trip to Motuara Island, then get dropped off at Furneaux Lodge for late breakfast. Walk to Punga Lodge for wood-fired pizza.

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Kayak the Pelorus River

Discover the beautiful location of the dwarves in a river scene from 'The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug' travelling by kayak in lieu of barrel.

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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

Gary Spence Emergency Management Officer

Travel Style

Adventure