Marlborough has plenty of brilliant places for families to explore

Travel Style

Family

Something for the whole family.

Leap into the crystal clear Pelorus River, fish from the wharf on a blue-sky day, dash into surf at Whites Bay, then cast for kahawai at the Wairau Bar.

Spot dolphins in the Marlborough Sounds, visit eco trails surrounding resorts, and walk amid endangered wildlife on island sanctuaries.

Explore Marlborough’s passion for aviation, on the ground or in the air, or take on our cycling and walking trails.

Marlborough's a brilliant destination for family holidays young and old.

Kaipupu Wildlife Sanctuary

Activities

Visit the community run Kaipupu Wildlife Sanctuary, a mainland sanctuary just a few minutes by boat from Picton, full of native birdlife.

Kaipupu Wildlife Sanctuary

Blenheim i-SITE Visitor Information Centre

Take a flying jump

Activities

Leap from the Lochmara Lodge rope swing into the sparkling sounds below. For more sedate pleasures, walk the eco trail to find weta hotels and geckos.

Take a flying jump

Lochmara

Swim in the Pelorus River

Activities

Make a splash at the beautiful Pelorus River, where the water is deep, cool and crystal clear, surrounded by beautiful native bush.

Swim in the Pelorus River

Pelorus Bridge DOC Campground & Cafe

Kayak the Pelorus River

Activities

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.

Kayak the Pelorus River

Pelorus Eco Adventures

Cruise with dolphins

Activities

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

Cruise with dolphins

Visit Anakiwa

Activities

Check out the end of the Queen Charlotte walkway at Anakiwa, a very attractive bay in the Marlborough Sounds. Take walk to Davies Bay for a taste of the walkway.

Visit Anakiwa

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