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.

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

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

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

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

Visit a mussel farm

Activities

Take a tour boat to one of the mussel, oyster or salmon farms within our unique waterways to see how some of our wonderful seafood is grown.

greenshell-mussels

Greenshell Mussel Cruise

Walk and bike Picton

Activities

Explore the walking and biking trails around Picton.

Walk and bike Picton

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