Those fond of a glass or two of Sauvignon Blanc, will love Marlborough, in the northeast of New Zealand’s South Island. A haven for wine-lovers, there are numerous wine tours to choose from which will take you round the region’s many wineries and give you the opportunity to sample some of the classic Marlborough wines. Alternatively, you can hire a bike and explore the vineyards by pedal power yourself.

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Marlborough Vineyard

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Blackwood Bay

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Marlborough Sounds

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Queen Charlotte Sound

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Marlborough Vineyard

Description

Blenheim, the region’s capital is a great base for exploring the area and is reportedly one of New Zealand’s sunniest towns. It has a good selection of restaurants which focus on the region’s wine and local food including wild game and fresh seafood. Pollard Park is a lovely place to relax with its beautiful gardens, 9 hole golf course, tennis courts and a children’s play area. The Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre just outside of Blenheim is a fascinating museum containing World War 1 planes in realistic settings.

25 minutes’ drive north of Blenheim lies the picturesque seaside town of Picton, home to the stunning bays and waterways of Marlborough Sounds. There are various ways to explore the Sounds from kayaking, walking, boat cruises and also scuba diving, swimming with dolphins and mussel tours. For those with a bit more time, why not take a 4 day hike along the entire length of the Queen Charlotte Track in the Marlborough Sounds for a spectacular winding walk through the coastal forest, beautiful bays and coves, with magnificent views at every turn. Picton is also the ferry point for those travelling from the South Island to Wellington in the North Island.