Discover Blenheim, bathed in sunshine and wrapped around vineyards. Blenheim is a rural town with a distinctive chic feel. Perhaps it is the cellar doors (over 30) or the glorious outdoors personified by the Marlborough Sounds … Blenheim is brilliant. How about the option of doing not much of anything.
Blenheim, with its numerous vineyards offers visitors the license to relax, perhaps do not do much of anything … except a Sounds cruise or a leisurely brunch in a vineyard courtyard.
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Wine tours – Award winning Sauvignon Blanc
Blenheim, surrounded by ordered rows of vineyards, is a natural for a wine tour. Whether you arrive by air or drive, your introduction is the massive steel wine holding vats, the vineyards drawing the eyes into the horizon and the architecturally pleasing cellar doors inviting visitors to stop and tarry.
Adventure buffs can experience an adrenaline rush with a flight in an open cockpit of a US ARMY AIR CORPS – 455HP BOEING STEARMAN. Discover vintage joy rides with two passenger seats for couples. What a rush, and it gets better. Seriously, if you want to roll in a classic vintage Yakovlev Yak-3 fighter plane, then this is the place to be. A must-do place to visit for everyone with plenty to keep the family entertained with interactive exhibits personalising the story of vintage aviation.
Replica railway station Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre, Blenheim Marlborough NZ Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre Knights of the Sky map directions, WWI, Blenheim Marlborough, NZ -
Marlborough gardens – Pollard Park
One of New Zealand’s premier garden festivals, Garden Marlborough is an invitation to a brilliant spring. Pollard Park is the venue for a public fete open to the showcasing the best of the Garden Marlborough festival. The Stihl Shop Garden Fete is a highlight in Marlborough’s event calendar, and one of the largest free community happenings in Blenheim.
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Taylor River Park in Blenheim, Marlborough, New Zealand Brayshaw Heritage Park, early mechanised farm equipment, Blenheim, Marlborough NZ -
Foodie lovers don’t miss out – Blenheim is hopping on Sunday
Marlborough Farmers Market is a weekend favourite. The bounty of Marlborough is marketed by the makers creating an authentic farm to plate offering. Talk with our award winning stallholders and learn how your food is produced. Discover their favourite recipes, tips and ideas. Enjoy locally roasted coffee and takeaway brunch.
- Food trucks
- Second hand treasures becoming your next best thing
- Locals sharing their creative journey, art and crafts
A great way to build a picnic hamper, you’re ready to go to great Picnic & Swim spots in Marlborough.
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Makana Boutique Chocolate Factory
Nothing like a chocolate factory to sample local treats, to witness the melting chocolate being folded around caramel, adding sweet delight to dried ginger or coating buttery shortbread. Try out various combinations and your gifts for family and friends are sorted.
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Marlborough wine and food festival
Blenheim is the natural hub. February is the month to sip world class sauvignon blanc and other local varieties. There is pop up live entertainment in the town square and at cellar doors. Food producers showcase their wares and new offerings. The well known festival is a highlight for Blenheim and the district.
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Heritage & art Blenheim attractions
Discover where local emerging and established artists exhibit. The small town has superb galleries. The local government supported Millennium Gallery exhibits a range of local, national and international works, while the Marlborough Art Society gallery showcases local talent.
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Blenheim – holiday central location
Blenheim is an ideal hub to explore Marlborough. Relax, revive and recharge with suitcases unpacked. Check out nearby towns of Picton and Havelock with the enticing jewel of the Queen Charlotte Track as a drawcard. For on water activities you can not go past the Marlborough Sounds with Picton the hub for a mail boat cruise around the Sounds. Unearth greenshell mussel delicacies in Havelock cafes, explore the local museum and consider returning to Blenheim via Queen Charlotte Drive. Start planning your holiday with a Marlborough guide, things to do, get inspired. Marlborough brilliant every day has plenty of activities to choose from.
Paranomic view of Picton among the nature, New Zealand, View from Tirohanga Track The Havelock Museum on the main street of the small town, Havelock, Marlborough, New Zealand -
Blenheim walking trails
- Wairau Lagoon. As befitting one of the top 10 places to visit in Marlborough the area offers glimpses into the world of wetlands, estuaries, birdlife and a deeply significant archeological Maori site. The boardwalk and rusting shipwreck is an Instagram favourite with sunset throwing orange tipped hues into the background… read more Wairau Lagoon
- Wither Hills farm park offers a brilliant range of walking and mountain biking tracks on a 1,100ha working sheep and cattle farm just minutes from Blenheim’s town centre. Either climb to the lookout points for sweeping views of Cloudy Bay or stroll along the base of the hills. Mountain biking. There are trails for all skills… read more Wither Hills Farm Park.
Wairau Lagoon nature reserve near Blenheim, New Zealand Wither Hills, working farm, open to public, Marlborough, New Zealand Enjoy the freedom of a motorhome. Your accommodation travels with you.
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Marlborough Museum (temporarily closed)
Heritage buffs don’t miss out with a fascinating collection of objects, documents and artifacts. Find out more about the Wairau Bar and story of Polynesian migration or marvel at the collection of 19th century bottles with their elaborate form holding every conceivable liquid. Bottles for Cherry Cheer drink (very sweet syrupy taste) or bottles with gold figures or marble tops.
Kiwi train’s great journey, ‘Coastal Pacific’’ stops at Blenheim train station in central Blenheim, a great location to start your Marlborough journey. Most of Blenheim’s central district can be explored on foot.
Car rental:
If you are staying a little longer, much of Marlborough’s stunning landscape is accessible by vehicle, with brilliant scenic drives taking you to a range of towns, valleys, hills, mountains and coastlines. Rent a car or campervan from any well-known brands, such as Hertz, to explore the region before continuing your Coastal Pacific journey.
Marlborough Airport is conveniently located near Blenheim. The airport is 7 km from home with taxis and shuttles as well as vehicle rental car companies having offices at the airport.
BEST BITS TRAVEL GUIDE
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