Marlborough

Fly into a heritage aviation centre

At Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre, inside two standard-issue hangars, is a priceless collection of military aircraft from both World Wars, displayed in brilliantly realistic dioramas created by the magic of Wētā Workshop and WingNut Films. Dramatically lit, and authentically displayed complete with bullet holes and dents, they are so real that it's even more incredible that men actually flew and fought in these flimsy machines. If you're feeling bold, you can squeeze into the front of a vintage biplane for a joyride over wine country. Read more

An epic rail adventure

This is the closest you'll get to the Hogwarts Express without going to Scotland. A classic coal-fired steam engine pulling heritage carriages, the Marlborough Flyer is a splendid sight as it puffs along the track between Blenheim and Picton. Traffic stops beside the road as people tumble out of their cars to take photos and wave – but even better is to be riding on board. You just can't beat the romantic thrill of chuffing through lovely scenery on a train that is literally out of history. Read more

Meet the local wildlife

Dolphins are found 90 per cent of the time with E-Ko Tours. And you might be lucky enough to have a magnificent encounter with one of the rarest — the tiny, almost toylike — Hector's dolphin. On Motuara Island you can get a glimpse of what New Zealand looked like before the introduction of pests. This predator-free sanctuary has a large population of kererū, tūī, grey warbler and bellbird. There are also some rarer species, including the stunning yellow-crowned parakeet. Read more

The best on-water activities

The upper South Island’s extensive network of sea-drowned valleys make up over one-fifth of Aotearoa's coastline. The Marlborough Sounds is an extensive marine playground teeming with on-water activities and excursions. You can leisurely cruise through the tangle of sheltered waterways, ride along on the world’s most picturesque mail run, school up on local history and sample the local kaimoana, or paddle downstream like a hobbit. Read more

The best times to be in and around Marlborough

Good weather ensures that there’s always something on in Marlborough throughout the year. The Golden Sounds Music Festival is a brand-new festival bringing the cream of dance music to Blenheim. The Havelock Mussel and Seafood Festival is a family-friendly celebration of the local greenshell mollusc. The Marina 2 Marina run, between Picton, Waikawa and Anakiwa, is probably one of the most scenic ways to work up a sweat. Read more

A remote island paradise

​Rangitoto ki te Tonga/D’Urville Island in the Marlborough Sounds is the kind of place you visit to connect with nature. About 50 people live there permanently, but there is a steady stream of visitors, from fishing charters to the historically curious, and nature lovers. Driftwood Eco-Tours specialises in taking people to remote places to experience nature, which is exactly what you'll find on the country's eighth-largest island — regenerated forest and wildlife galore. Read more

These routes were made for cycling

Grand landscapes, endless sunshine and a flourishing trail network is putting Marlborough firmly on the cycling map. Choose from town or country, easy or epic, and enjoy some dining, wine tasting or coastal scenery on the side. The golden, softly rolling Wither Hills are a super-scenic landscape for a leg stretch. Picton’s Victoria Domain boasts 13 kilometres of trail ranging from easy to advanced — with spectacular views around almost every corner. Beginner riders might prefer a leisurely tasting tour of the region’s world-famous wineries. Read more

The best walk you've never heard of

Forget the Abel Tasman and Queen Charlotte; this is a more rugged alternative and considered an “advanced” walk by DOC standards. The 27-kilometre Nydia Track runs from Pelorus Sound across to Duncan Bay, with an overnight stop in Nydia. Most people get a shuttle back, so they don’t have to do the return walk. You'll climb saddles through dense fern forest, catch glimpse of Marlborough's highest mountain, and pass through lush farmland — with only birds for company. Read more

New Zealand's Amalfi Coast

In Marlborough, you'll find New Zealand's version of the winding Amalfi Coast — only with cliffside farms rather than vineyards. Officially known as the Croisilles Harbour–French Pass Road, this is one of the country's best hidden gems. The road is only 60 kilometres but it will take you more than an hour and a half to drive. It's dramatically windy, at times following the ridgeline, with imposing cliffs to the bays below. At almost every turn, you'll see a new secluded bay, surrounded by native bush and emerald waters. Read more

Marlborough's startling alien-like salt lake

The Red Sea is too far away for most of us to visit. Even Australia’s pink lakes are currently out of bounds, but the result of the same conditions which make those bodies of water so distinctive can be seen just half an hour’s drive from Blenheim. The startlingly alien-like Lake Grassmere (Kāpara te hau), which varies from pale to purple, is caused by the presence of tiny algae and pink shrimp in the water. You can’t swim here, but carry on along the road and you’ll get to Marfells Beach. Read more​

The world's most scenic mail route

The Pelorus Mail Boat sets out three days a week from the little town of Havelock, to cruise through the Marlborough Sounds delivering not just post, but much more, to the people who live tucked away in the bays along this convoluted coastline, some of them so remote that they have no road access at all. On board the comfortable catamaran, everyone is welcomed and shown the ropes before passing beaches, bush-clad hills, and mussel farms. Read more

A floating hotel at sea

Chartering a yacht sounds like something only the rich and famous do. However, Sounds by Sail offers a luxury night afloat its 32-footer for $395 per person, which includes dinner in a remote bay with local wine. The skipper will even row ashore for the night to allow you to enjoy the ambience. The boat is operated by Phil and Deborah Clegg, who have exceptional knowledge of the local area – and will happily let you get behind the helm and have a go at sailing. Read more

Kayaking with stingrays

One of the best ways to explore the Sounds is with Sea Kayak Adventures, which has a base in the coastal village of Anikiwa. A guided tour will have you feeling removed from civilisation within minutes as you glide along past bush-clad cliffs. The guides are excellent at picking out wildlife, including dolphins and the occasional killer whales, which come looking for stingrays. As you paddle deeper into the Sounds it's common to spot enormous stingrays, which come up for a closer look. Read more

The South Island's other seafood capital

Havelock, a tiny town between Nelson and Blenheim at the head of the Marlborough Sounds, is the self-declared “Greenshell Mussel Capital of the World”. Marlborough produces about two-thirds of New Zealand’s greenshell mussel crop, as its sheltered waters offer ideal conditions for farming them. They don’t come fresher than those found at the Mills Bay Mussels tasting room by the Havelock Marina. Take a seat outside in the sun, and decide how you’d like them – beer-battered, crumbed, grilled with garlic butter or steamed in white wine with some crusty bread for mopping. Read more

Three of the best brew pubs

Beer lovers have plenty to sip on in the country's largest wine region. Moa Brewing Company is a pioneer of NZ’s craft beer scene and its taproom in Raupara is where you can try new releases and trusty award winners. Renwick’s Boomtown Brewing Company is the place to be on a sunny day with a Marlborough Lager in hand, and the Dodson Street Beer Garden has one of the largest selection of craft beers and ciders on tap in New Zealand (and great pizzas). Read more

Riesling in a sea of sav

Famous for its riesling in a region synonymous with sauvignon blanc, Framingham has never been afraid of being the odd one out. Winemaker Andrew Brown goes out of his way to produce wines that differ from the typical Marlborough sav with its zingy acidity and tropical fruit aromas, specialising in aromatics that also include viognier and gewurztraminer. Visiting the winery’s tasting room in Renwick, you can sip your way through a selection of rieslings, from some of the oldest vines in the country, and discover how different they all are from each other. Read more

Restaurants for a special occasion

You don’t have to look far for a world-class dining experience in Marlborough. Elegant dining rooms and delightful spaces are found between the city and the vines. Harvest Restaurant inside the luxury Marlborough Lodge uses charcoal to push the limits of local ingredients – some of which are plucked from the 16 acres of gardens surrounding the venue. Scotch Wine Bar is a modern restaurant in the heart of Blenheim with nearly 2000 bottles of wine. Saint Clair Family Estate is a delightful spot for lunch overlooking the vines and the Richmond Range, and Arbour delivers a taste of the region across two tasting menus. Read more

A berry nice day out

Grapes aren’t the only kind of fruit to flourish in Marlborough’s temperate climate. The region’s high sunshine hours help produce bumper crops of strawberries, blueberries and cherries. Picking your own plump and juicy delights is a quintessential summer activity here, especially when there’s a promise of real fruit ice cream after rummaging around between branches and undergrowth. Read more

The restaurant with a robot waiter

On entry, Blenheim's Bamboo Garden appears like your typical Asian restaurant, with a wide variety of Chinese, Thai and Japanese dishes. Your order is taken by a human, but a few minutes later a robot emerges from the kitchen and whizzes towards your table. It slowly approaches before revealing, in a Mickey Mouse-type voice, which tray is yours. Read more

Blenheim's luxury boutique escape

14th Lane Urban Hotel is a luxury boutique option if you want to stay central. This eight-room hotel was, for a time, one of Blenheim's only nightclubs. Now, the well-appointed mood-lit rooms are all about luxury. You'll be greeted with eight pillows on your bed, dreamily soft sheets and uber plush dressing gowns ready to jump into. The bathrooms are enormous, complete with luxury amenities and a backlit mirror – it feels like you could be in a suite at the Park Hyatt. The hotel has a communal lounge for catching up with friends and planning activities. Read more

Overnight in a grape escape

Flanked by vines on all sides, the Hans Herzog Vineyard cottage is about as Marlborough as you can get. With a complimentary tasting included with the stay, the Wairau River running along the edge of the property and bikes on-hand for gentle exploring, you can get the full experience without even leaving the grounds. Each stay starts with a tour of the vines and winery. And despite the cottage being a stone’s throw away from the winery, it still feels utterly secluded. Read more

New Zealand's bay of bliss

Bay of Many Coves is the undisputed jewel of the Marlborough Sounds. The five-star retreat is nestled in its own bay and is only reachable by boat, or helicopter if your bank balance permits. The resort hugs the hillside with a series of luxury apartments scattered among the bush. The spacious apartments all have uninterrupted views of the sea with a "honeymoon-style" vibe. There's a communal pool and hot tub, although when not lounging in their rooms, most people spend their time at the restaurant and bar on the wharf, or try kayaking, paddleboarding and fishing. Read more

Forty winks in a wine barrel

Wine-themed accommodation is just a 15-minute drive from the heart of the country's largest wine region. The shape of the accommodation might fool you at Sleeping Barrels, but they were never actually used to store wine. The Riroriro barrel is named because of your chance of seeing a riroriro down at the stream below. The other barrel – Pīwakawaka – is nestled in the garden rather than looking out to the Richmond Ranges. The barrels share a generous inside bathroom at the rear of the house and there are outdoor showers if you're there in summer. Read more

A secluded coastal retreat

A $175 hotel room in the big cities doesn't buy you much, but in the Marlborough Sounds, you could be tucked away at a secluded retreat. Hopewell Lodge is surrounded by dense native bush and inviting waters, and it's the kind of place where you can laze in a hammock with a good book or in the waterfront spa. If you want an active holiday, the resort has kayaking, fishing and paddleboarding, too. Read more

Windswept slice of paradise

In Marlborough you can catch up with friends or family without breaking the bank. On Arapaoa Island is an escape you can hire at full capacity for $40 each. The historic Arapawa Homestead has been immaculately restored to its full vintage glory complete with floral prints and dark wood finishings. Known as Gunyah, the homestead has 13 beds, including a glamping sleep-out. But the first thing you'll notice is the view of the entrance to the Tory Channel. The ferries pass so close you can almost make out who's on deck. Read more

Family-friendly fun

If you're looking for a remote lodge that the kids will love, Lochmara Lodge is your pick. After a short water taxi, you'll reach the resort, and the kids can get straight into swimming, kayaking, paddleboarding, feeding pigs and even an encounter with the rare kākāriki. The resort is also home to an underwater observatory, which gives a fish-eye view of the Sounds – and the fascinating creatures that live below. Read more

New Zealand's best value retreat

How does a luxury retreat on a private vineyard sound? In Marlborough, there's a five-star option that is a contender for the country’s best value luxury retreat. The first thing you notice when walking into the The Nineteenth is the view. The retreat sits atop a hill with floor-to-ceiling glass overlooking vines, rolling farmland and a golf course. It's the kind of place where you leave the blinds open to watch the stars, then the sunrise the next morning. Read more

The secret spot down a spectacular road

Venture along one of the country's most spectacular roads and you'll reach one of the most magical spots in the Sounds. Kokowhai Bay Glamping sits in the corner of its own little bay, surrounded by thick native bush and is just a few metres from the sea. It's completely off-grid, but solar power keeps the lights, a Netflix capable TV, satellite wi-fi, a fridge and mood lighting all going. It also has a carved stone bath and outdoor kitchen. Read more

For more information visit marlboroughnz.com