Marlborough, New Zealand: things to do, when to go and how to get there

Get to know the place

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.

Marlborough occupies the northeast corner of the South Island and is, for those crossing the Cook Strait, the first stop after the sea. Ferries leaving Wellington cross the strait, enter Tory Channel and continue through Queen Charlotte Sound (Tōtaranui) to the port of Picton, a small town of about 5,000 people at the head of the sound.

The Marlborough Sounds are ancient valleys flooded by the sea: a maze of coves, peninsulas and islands covered in forest, with houses accessible only by boat. The Queen Charlotte Track runs 71 km along the ridges between Meretoto (Ship Cove), where navigator James Cook anchored on his three Pacific voyages, and Anakiwa. Boats leaving Picton carry walkers, cyclists and people who just want to cruise the sound.

To the south, about 28 km by road, Blenheim is the region’s seat and the centre of the country’s largest wine-growing area. On the plains of the Wairau River and in the Awatere Valley, vineyards planted from 1973 now produce about three quarters of New Zealand’s wine, notably sauvignon blanc. Blenheim also houses one of the country’s best-known collections of First and Second World War aircraft, at the Omaka aerodrome.

The climate helps: Blenheim is among the sunniest places in New Zealand, with dry summers and cold, frosty mornings in winter. The region is a starting point for Nelson and Abel Tasman National Park to the west, and for Kaikōura and Christchurch to the south along the coast.

This destination brings together 2 cities: Picton, Blenheim.

Share: WhatsApp

Traveler, share your experiences through photos Up to 5 photos of each place you visited.

One destination, many paths

The cities on this trip

Start with one city or combine several in your itinerary.

Where Marlborough is

Boundaries: Stats NZ / geoBoundaries (CC BY 4.0). Adapted by Cidade Turismo.

How to get there: Marlborough

✈ Aeródromo de Picton (Koromiko) (PCN), in Koromiko · 7 km to Picton

✈ Aeroporto de Marlborough (Woodbourne) (BHE), in Blenheim · 30 km to Picton

By sea, ferries from Wellington cross the Cook Strait to Picton in about 3½ hours, with vehicle capacity. Blenheim Airport (Woodbourne) receives domestic flights from Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, and a small aerodrome near Picton has short flights to Wellington. By road, State Highway 1 links Picton and Blenheim with Kaikōura and Christchurch.

Suggested arrival point: Picton

Marlborough · Marlborough Suggested arrival point

Picton

Picton is the port where ferries from Wellington arrive, at the head of Queen Charlotte Sound. The town is small and can be explored on foot: the waterfront with the hull of the Edwin Fox, the harbor for boats to the Sounds, and the start of the trails on the surrounding hills. Boat tours and transport for the Queen Charlotte Track depart from here.

Marlborough · Marlborough Capital

Blenheim

Blenheim is Marlborough’s seat and the region’s largest town, with about 30,000 residents, at the meeting of the Taylor and Ōpaoa rivers. It is surrounded by the vineyards of the Wairau Valley, the country’s main wine region, and hosts a large collection of wartime aircraft at the Omaka aerodrome. The climate is dry and sunny for much of the year.

The local experience

Things to do in Marlborough

Blenheim · Marlborough · Museum

Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre

Aviation museum at the Omaka airfield, about 5 km from Blenheim town centre. Aircraft and staged scenes from the First World War (Knights of the Sky) and the Second (Dangerous Skies), with figures made by Wētā Workshop.

Picton · Marlborough · Sound

Queen Charlotte Sound / Tōtaranui

Arm of sea of the Marlborough Sounds that links Picton to Cook Strait, through which ferries from Wellington pass. Bays covered in forest, islands and Meretoto (Ship Cove), the cove where James Cook anchored on his three voyages.

Picton · Marlborough · Trail

Queen Charlotte Track

A 71 km track along the ridges between Queen Charlotte Sound and Kenepuru Sound, from Meretoto (Ship Cove) to Anakiwa. Walked in three to five days or ridden by bike, with boats that carry packs and pick up walkers at several bays.

Blenheim · Marlborough · Wine region

Wairau Valley

The Wairau River plain between Blenheim and Renwick, home to Marlborough’s main vineyards. The first large-scale commercial vineyards were planted in 1973; today the region produces about three quarters of the country’s wine.

See 2 more places in Marlborough

Picton · Marlborough · Museum

Edwin Fox

Wooden ship built in 1853 in Calcutta, preserved in a dry dock on Picton’s waterfront. It is the only surviving ship that transported convicts to Australia and one of the oldest surviving commercial sailing ships in the world.

Blenheim · Marlborough · Park

Wither Hills Farm Park

Hills south of Blenheim with a public farm area crossed by walking and cycling trails. From the top you can see the Wairau Valley, the town and, on clear days, the sea and the mountains.

Before you go

Practical information

A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.

When to go

From December to March the days are long, warm and dry, the best time for the track and boat trips; it is also high season, with fuller ferries and boats. March and April bring the grape harvest. From June to August mornings are cold, with frost in Blenheim, and there are fewer boat departures.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

How many days to stay

Two days cover the essentials: one in Picton with a boat trip on Queen Charlotte Sound or a short section of the track, and another in Blenheim visiting wineries and the Omaka aviation centre. Those who want to walk the entire Queen Charlotte Track need three to five days.

Which city to stay in

Picton concentrates accommodation near the port, convenient for those arriving or departing by ferry and for the Sounds boats. Along Queen Charlotte Sound there are isolated accommodations reachable by boat or by the track. Blenheim and the neighbouring village of Renwick sit among the vineyards, with more options in central Blenheim.

Respect the place

Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.

Get your questions answered

Frequently asked questions about Marlborough

How to cross from Wellington to Picton?

By ferry. Two companies operate crossings of the Cook Strait several times a day, taking about 3½ hours and carrying foot passengers and vehicles. In high season, December to February, book in advance, especially if you have a car. Renters often return the car before the crossing and pick up another on the far side because many hire companies charge to carry a vehicle on the ferry.

How many days to stay in Marlborough?

Two days are enough for a boat trip through the Sounds from Picton and a visit to wineries and the Omaka aviation centre in Blenheim. For the full Queen Charlotte Track, count on three to five days on foot.

Do you need a car in Marlborough?

It helps a lot. Picton and Blenheim have bus connections and, part of the year, a tourist train, but the wineries are spread across the Wairau Valley. Without a car there are organised winery tours and bicycle hire in Renwick. In the Sounds, transport is by boat.

What is the best time to visit Marlborough?

From December to March, when days are long and dry, good for walks and boat trips. In March and April the grape harvest takes place. In winter, June to August, mornings are cold, but days are generally sunny.

Can you see Marlborough on the route between Wellington and Christchurch?

Yes, and it is the most common route for those travelling overland between the two islands. The ferry arrives in Picton, and from there State Highway 1 continues through Blenheim and Kaikōura to Christchurch, about 4½ hours’ driving without stops. It’s worth at least one night in the region.

Marlborough

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.