Family weekend escape
to Marlborough

Omaka Air Show @Tim Cuff

Half day to relax, unwind from the week day bustle and get into the family holiday spirit. Get the food supplies stocked and get ready to visit Omaka Aviation Centre. Let’s get into the fun stuff straight away. Omaka Aviation Museum is stunning. Interactive exhibits and movement immerses visitors into the world of heritage aircraft. The role of the World War I vintage planes is imaginatively narrated with visitors fascinated by the fragile nature of the craft, the small size of the plane and the courage of those early pilots. For many visitors it is a repeat visit due to the popularity of the venue. This is an indoor activity.

Omaka’s brochure could not describe the centre any better, “Sir Peter Jackson’s collection of WW1 aircraft and artefacts. Captivating scenes depict the aircraft in context, sometimes recreating an incident that actually happened in the war. Rare memorabilia is on display, worthy of any national collection and ranges from beautifully crafted ‘trench art’ through to personal items belonging to the famous Red Baron himself.”

Wairau Lagoon and Waverley Shipwreck @The Intrepid Life

The family is off to find a rusting shipwreck without getting your feet wet. A flat easy boardwalk introduces family members to the habitat of the Wairau Lagoon as well as the rusting hulk of the Waverley wreck sitting on the estuary mud. The lagoon has witnessed people seafood gathering for over 800 years. Today it is a rich feeding ground for numerous birds and fish. This is a free DOC walkway.

Getting there

The main access point is from the end of Hardings Road, which leaves State Highway 1, 5 km south of Blenheim. There is a carpark and information.

Duration 3 hours return flat boardwalk.

Royal Spoonbill New Zealand bird resident Wairau Lagoon

Dept of Conservation guide information, “Nature and conservation. The Wairau lagoons have formed over the last 6,500 years behind a 8 km-long boulder bank created from gravel and stones washed up the coast by sea currents. Water from the surrounding hills gathers behind the boulder bank and combines with the tide flushing in and out each day. Specialised plants and animals have colonised habitats between the high and low water marks, some of which are more ‘productive’ than the best pasture.

There are plenty of birds to see here – a bird book and pair of binoculars would be a useful addition to your equipment.

History and culture

The productivity of the Wairau lagoons drew Maori to hunt for food. It is thought that some of the channels have been made or extended to help trap moulting birds or eels.

Evidence from the boulder bank confirms some very early camps were made there and where the now-extinct moa were hunted and eaten.

Know before you go

• Hot, dry conditions and strong, cold winds are common in this area.
• Open fires are not permitted at any of the East Coast reserves and only portable stoves should be used for cooking.
• Watch out for wasps, especially in late summer and autumn.”

Sheep grazing in vineyard

You will have worked up an appetite from the walk. Blenheim has a variety of cafes and takeaway outlets on its main street. Check out what is available or return to your accommodation for a refresh and a bit to eat. Your next call is to find out more about the falcon on your $20.00 note. The Karearea, native falcon is under threat due to loss of habitat. The New Zealand falcon is one of the fastest birds in the world. Visitors are introduced to one of the fastest birds in the world. The birds are bred and raised to ensure their continued safety. The falcon is the country’s most threatened bird of prey, with only around 3000–5000 breeding pairs remaining.

NOTE: Forward bookings are essential for falcon viewing.

Vineyard Tours at Brancott Estate Heritage Centre. Is all things karearea, or native falcon. The falcons, swoop, dive and fly in aerial displays that capture the hearts of visitors. The Karearea is their own best ambassador for their continuing welfare.

Check your $20.00 note for the falcon pinup girl. “The main image on the $20 note showcases Shaheena, whose regal figure sits on the reverse side from Queen Elizabeth II. Shaheena is a small, dark bush falcon, a form classified as ‘threatened/nationally vulnerable’ and found mainly in the North Island.”

New Zealand geographic 142, Nov 2016.

Ice cream Tiptop brand Piction, Queen Charlotte Sound

Observe the mail being delivered to communities whose only access is by water. You will be involved in the lives of people who live and work in remote homes where the postal service is a vital link to the outside world.
Designed to take you off the beaten tourist path so you can experience the real Queen Charlotte Sounds / Tōtaranui. Forward bookings recommended.

The Mail has been delivered by boat for over 150 years in the Queen Charlotte Sounds and we are proud to uphold that service! We are the only official licensed New Zealand Post Rural Delivery Service by water in the Queen Charlotte Sound / Tōtaranui making this a truly unique and interesting tour. To book click HERE.

Queen Charlotte Sound @noemie_diana

Time to pack the bags and move to Picton for the Queen Charlotte Track adventure, a Rai River Rafting experience and some free time to perhaps revisit Omaka Aviation Centre or spend time in the local museum. You have a handy travel guide for inspiration on what to see and do.

Activity 1: Queen Charlotte Sounds Walk

Queen Charlotte Sounds Track is one of New Zealand’s great walks. Walks range from easy half hour strolls to multiple day treks. The Queen Charlotte track stretches 70km from Ship Cove to Anakiwa and is an intermediate to advanced grade. You will be rewarded with skyline views of Queen Charlotte and Kenepuru Sounds. You meet the locals, native birds such as the fantail and weka.

Queen Charlotte Track @ingekaman

For self-guided walks Queen Charlotte Track: Guided & Self-Guided Walk Packages NZ will offer you options ranging from half day walks to multiple day walks is a hassle free way to enjoy the walk without the logistics becoming the walk’s focus. There are various options from budget friendly to pampered luxury. It is recommended for families that meals and transportation are part of the deal to ensure that all ages enjoy one of New Zealand finest tracks that is walkable all year round.

No pets allowed.

Greenshell mussels, Marlborough

Free time to explore Picton before your 1 hour road trip to Havelock. Remember to check our travel guide for inspiration.

TIP: While you could travel to Havelock on the Queen Charlotte Sounds road with its panoramic views it is winding and narrow. If children are prone to car sickness then it could be triggered by this journey.

Havelock has a Big Thing ‘Mussels’ and is known as the mussel capital. For instagrammers a favourite spot to pose against the gigantic mussel sculpture. For lovers of seafood it is a compulsory stop on the road between Picton and Havelock. The SH 1 route passes the historic settlement of Spring Creek with its nineteenth century hotel and then you are on the diversion bypassing Blenheim. Numerous wineries are part of the drive with their cellar doors open for sales.

Havelock has a permanent population of around 500 residents. It is largely dependent on tourism and shellfish processing. The town’s gold mining past has left a legacy of characteristic timber facade colonial buildings, now galleries and cafes. At the marina are water taxis, charter fishing boats ready to explore Pelorus and Kenepuru Sounds.

Picton to Havelock route via SH1 and SH6: 60 km, 1 hour.

Dad and son kayaking at the Pelorus river @Kayak New Zealand

Another highlight of your Marlborough holiday, Rai River rafting. You are kayaking through a movie set. To book CLICK Kayak New Zealand’s Most Beautiful River. on a guided rafting tour through the location of the dwarves in the barrels scene of The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug on Marlborough’s stunning Pelorus River will be highlighted for the adventurous soul in all of us.

This highlight is a great family day trip with family photos, kayak in a safe controlled environment, with experienced guides, on an easy exciting journey down the Pelorus river.

NOTE: Min age of child, 6 years if accompanied by adult. Please advise age of children at the time of booking, as river levels or weather conditions may affect suitability of your tour.

Pair of pied cormorants, Kaikoura

Your checkout will be at 11.00am. For passengers on the InterIslander Ferry ensure you have checked ferry departure times as you require at least 1 hour prior to sailing to check in vehicles and/or passengers. For visitors who are either staying longer or travelling further south a vineyard tour will entice you back for a return visit. You have explored Blenheim, Picton, Havelock, Pelorus Reserve, Queen Charlotte Sounds, and there is always Kaikoura just down the road to go to next. Of course a stopover in Blenheim is always a good idea. Once you have a taste of Marlborough you are hooked.