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Before you go
Your trip to Blenheim.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Blenheim – Marlborough Destination Marlborough Capital
How to get there
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Aeroporto de Marlborough (Woodbourne) (BHE) 8 km
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Estação ferroviária de Blenheim 1 km
Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.
Marlborough Airport (Woodbourne), about 8 km from the centre, has domestic flights from Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. From Picton, where Wellington ferries arrive, it’s about 28 km along State Highway 1, with bus service and, part of the year, a tourist train. Christchurch is about a 4-hour drive along the coast via Kaikōura.
How many days
One day for the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre and an afternoon of winery visits. With two days you can tour the vineyards at a relaxed pace by car or bicycle, and walk in the Wither Hills.
When to go
Summer, December to February, is warm and dry. March and April are harvest time, with mild days. Winter, June to August, has frosty mornings and generally sunny days.
The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.
Do you need a car?
For the wineries, spread across the Wairau Valley, a car or bicycle is helpful. Without a car there are organised winery tours and bicycle hire in Renwick, about 10 km away. The town centre and Omaka are reachable by taxi.
Suggested itinerary
An order that works
Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.
One day in Blenheim
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Morning
Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre
Go early to the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre, about 5 km from the centre, and tour the First and Second World War exhibitions. Allow two hours or more.
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Afternoon
Wairau Valley wineries
Head to the Wairau Valley around Renwick and visit two or three wineries with tasting rooms. If you plan to drink, book an organized tour or rent a bicycle in Renwick.
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Late afternoon
Wither Hills
Climb one of the Wither Hills trails south of town to view the valley vineyards and the mountains beyond. Check that the area is open, as it may close on days of fire risk.
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Evening
Blenheim town centre
Have dinner in town, near Seymour Square, the square with the clock tower and the war memorial.
Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.
Before you go
Frequently asked questions
What to do in Blenheim?
Visit the Wairau Valley wineries, the Omaka aviation centre with aircraft from both world wars, and walk in the Wither Hills. The town is also a base for the Marlborough Sounds, about 28 km away at Picton.
How to visit Marlborough wineries without a car?
There are organized tours from Blenheim and Picton, and bicycle rental in Renwick amid the vineyards, with bike paths and flat roads between wineries. If you drive, don’t drink: enforcement is strict.
What is Marlborough’s typical wine?
Sauvignon blanc, which made the region famous from the 1980s. Pinot noir, chardonnay and pinot gris are also produced. The region accounts for about three quarters of the country’s wine.
Is Blenheim far from Picton?
No, about 28 km via State Highway 1, roughly a 25-minute drive. There are buses and, for part of the year, a train between the two towns.