Marlborough EVERY DAY DESTINATION Our wines are world-famous, Marlborough sits at the head of the Southern Alps, at the top of the South Island. Protected by mountain our waters are national treasures, ranges, the temperate climate and high sunshine hours and from the mountains to make Marlborough a fantastic year-round destination. the sea, your client’s time in All of this AND a great range of accommodation Marlborough will be amazing. options and commissionable activities and attractions, makes Marlborough a destination for all seasons, tastes and budgets. Only Marlborough boasts a fifth of the country’s coastline, New Zealand’s largest wine region, and its largest high-country farm. Your clients will have a Your clients will fantastic holiday filled with great food, wine and craft beer, and unforgettable experiences in the mountains, have a brilliant time among the vineyards or by the sea. in Marlborough! EVERY DAY EVERY DAY Contents Getting here 2 Walks 10 Accommodation capacity 24 The region 2 Cycling 12 Places to stay 25 Must do experiences 3 Family fun 13 Things to do 30 Seasons 4 Indulgence 14 Wine and food 39 Wine and food 7 Events 15 Transport 41 Marlborough Sounds 8 Itineraries 16 Regional maps 44 Nature 9 Touring routes 23 Contact information For any trade related enquiries, please contact: Jane Sutherland, Trade Development Manager, Destination Marlborough Email: [email protected] | Ph: +64 3 579 2307 | Mobile: +64 27 223 0459 8 Sinclair Street, Blenheim 7201 PO Box 29, Blenheim 7240, New Zealand Destination MarlboroughNZ.com/trade Marlborough Destination Marlborough has a selection of iconic Marlborough images available for use in your promotion of Marlborough. To access these, visit MarlboroughNZ.com/trade and select the images you want to use. Any queries, please email [email protected] 1 TRANSPORTJOURNEY Getting here The region BlenheimTake a cruise or kayak in the Marlborough’sMarlborough main Sounds,centre in join the a heart mail of wineboat, country see withwhere a range our seafood of cafes, restaurantsgrows, and visit shops. a wildlife sanctuary or Auckland swim with dolphins. By air: The Marlborough Sounds From Auckland: 1hr 20 mins From Christchurch: 50 mins By sea: A recreational haven – home to secluded From Wellington: 20 mins Wellington to Picton: bays, historicWalk sites, or mountain walking and bike cycling the Picton 3 hours Queen Charlotte Track, soaking Havelock tracks, a marine reserve, island sanctuaries Wellington up stunning views of the Blenheim and a range of accommodation tucked Marlborough Marlborough Sounds while your Kaikoura away in secluded bays. luggage is boated to your accommodation each day. Christchurch Picton Picturesque port town has great cafes, restaurants and speciality shops and By train: By road: Christchurch to Picton: Christchurch to Blenheim: 4 hours is the mainIndulge access inpoint a long for lunchthe Queen at a 5 hours 15 mins Nelson to Blenheim: 1 hr 45 mins Charlotte Sound. Kaikoura to Blenheim: 1 hr 45 mins winery restaurant and spend the Blenheim to Picton: 25 mins day visiting cellar doors to Havelocksample Marlborough’s world- famous wines amid the vines that The Greenshell TM Mussel capital of the grew them. world, Havelock is the access point for By air Keneperu, Pelorus and Mahau Sounds. Flights land at Marlborough Airport, 7km from the centre through the vibrant of Blenheim. The 10 minute drive into town can be taken Wander seaport town of Picton; the by taxi, shuttle or rental car. Wairauforeshore Valley showcases the By sea Long rowsregion’s of vines marine weave history through the The 3 hour ferry trip from Wellington with Bluebridge or valley, complementedchanging the landscape by cafés, every Interislander arrives at the port town of Picton. seasongalleries – visitors and can walking explore tracks. by bike, car or tour van. By road Charge your camera for photo opportunities along your road journey to Marlborough from Christchurch, Nelson AwatereStay and amongst the Pacificthe vines or atCoast a and the West Coast. Bus services also operate into and Snow cappedhideaway mountains on the water’s on one edge side in out of Marlborough. and thethe blue Marlborough Pacific coast Sounds. on the other, you’ll find vineyards and the birthplace of By train New Zealand’s sheep farming industry, The Coastal Pacific train travels from Christchurch to Molesworth Station – the country’s Picton and Blenheim (October to April only). largest high-country farm. 2 INSPIRATION Must do experiences Take a cruise or kayak in the Journey through the Marlborough Sounds, join a mail world-class Omaka Aviation boat, see where our seafood Heritage Centre, where rare WW1 grows, visit a wildlife sanctuary or memorabilia and aircraft have swim with dolphins. been brought to life by the team behind The Lord of the Rings. Walk or mountain bike the Discover the landscapes Queen Charlotte Track, soaking and history of New Zealand’s up stunning views of the largest farm, the Molesworth Marlborough Sounds while your high country station. luggage is boated to your accommodation each day. Indulge in a long lunch at a Take a scenic drive and visit winery restaurant and spend the local food producers and artists day visiting cellar doors to along the way. sample Marlborough’s world- famous wines amid the vines that grew them. Wander through the vibrant Indulge in a Sunday brunch seaport town of Picton; the featuring Marlborough cherries, foreshore showcases the pine nuts, goat’s cheese and wild region’s marine history venison at the weekly complemented by cafés, Marlborough Farmers’ Market. galleries and walking tracks. Stay amongst the vines or at a Get a birds-eye view of hideaway on the water’s edge in Marlborough’s expansive the Marlborough Sounds. landscape with a scenic flight by plane, helicopter, float plane or vintage biplane. 3 SEASONS Spring Summer Crisp mornings and warm, sunny afternoons will Summer in Marlborough celebrates life’s simple have you spellbound. Spring marks the release pleasures. Whether you’re sailing, kayaking, paddle of the latest Sauvignon Blanc vintage – the wine boarding, or rowing a dinghy across the bay, that put Marlborough on the world wine map. summer is about walking trails, cool rivers, rope It’s a fantastic time to explore private gardens swings, hammocks, and spending time around, on throughout the Marlborough region during and in the water. New Zealand’s premier garden festival, Nelmac Garden Marlborough. It’s the season for gourmets too, with fresh seasonal fare at restaurants and cafés throughout the region. Brilliant highlights Brilliant highlights Mountain bike the 70km Queen Charlotte Walk the Queen Charlotte Track from historic Track, staying in a range of accommodation Ship Cove to Anakiwa, taking in the stunning views along the way. while your bags are transferred to your night’s accommodation. Drive or mountain bike through expansive Molesworth and Rainbow high-country Stations, Swim with dolphins in the sheltered waters of open late spring and summer months. the Queen Charlotte Sound. Be one of the world’s first to sample this year’s Grab a fishing rod and try your luck catching a Sauvignon Blanc vintages along the Marlborough delicious blue cod, snapper or terakihi.* Wine Trail. * Seasons, size and quota limits apply. Discover expansive Marlborough Sounds Make a splash in the Pelorus River (location of waterways on a cruise or charter a boat. the barrel scene from The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug), where the crystal clear water is Enjoy workshops and tours at the Nelmac surrounded by native forest. Garden Marlborough Festival in November. Pick your own fresh cherries, berries and stone fruit at a local orchard. 4 Autumn Winter If you think summer’s great in Marlborough, wait Winter brings perfect blue-sky days and calm, until you experience autumn’s fantastic weather. sparkling waters. Sail or cruise to a secluded Autumn brings the grape harvest to Marlborough, Marlborough Sounds bay for lunch, cosy up with and cellar doors are rich with the aroma of a glass of local pinot noir beside a roaring fire, or fermenting wine and the buzz of a province at work. head to the mountains with two local ski fields to choose from. Brilliant highlights Brilliant highlights Sip aromatics with a view of golden vines and Visit a vineyard cellar door with a roaring fire feast on fresh produce, including King salmon, and a delicious local pinot noir. Greenshell™ mussels, clams, walnuts, saffron, wild venison and high country lamb. Spend the day fishing in the calm waters of the Marlborough Sounds. Grab your camera – the autumn colours of Marlborough are stunning. Explore the region’s walking and biking trails. Watch the annual grape harvest in action by taking a tour of the region’s Wine Trail. Find the perfect combination of a great book and a bed with a view in the Take advantage of the great weather and hit Marlborough Sounds. the walking trails. Drive south along the breathtaking Pacific Explore the Marlborough Sounds on a Coastline to visit the seal pup nursery at Ohau scheduled cruise or charter a boat. Stream Point. 5 Welcome to Marlborough Welcome An unforgettable wine and food experience around every corner Itinerary development, images and consumer trail guides classicwinetrail.co.nz available from: E: [email protected] P: +64 3 577 5523 lovemarlborough.co.nz 3 6 WINE AND FOOD Brilliant highlights Wine and food is a key attraction Dining amongst the vines at one of the award winning winery for visitors to Marlborough, restaurants or enjoying the freshest and with more than 150 Marlborough produce wineries responsible for 76% in Blenheim or Picton. of New Zealand’s total wine production, as well as great restaurants, boutique food Discovering boutique breweries and distilleries to enjoy producers, and amazing seafood, some of New Zealand’s finest craft it’s easy to see why.