The Top Things to do in Marlborough
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Looking for things to do in Marlborough, NZ? New Zealand's Marlborough region on the tip of the country's South Island offers a wonderful combination of both sightseeing and culinary delights, with a host of great wineries, a stunning network of pristine Sounds, and one of the county's best hiking tracks. Those who love the outdoors will love Marlborough, as the region's incredible Queen Charlotte Track is one of New Zealand's Great Walks.
If you're looking to get the best of the Marlborough region, browse through our range of things to do and book YOUR Marlborough experience today.
Select one from the following:
Select one or more from the following:
Queen Charlotte Sound Mailboat Cruise
Full Day Marlborough Icons Tour
Cycling Wine Tours of Marlborough
Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre
Queen Charlotte Track Multi Day Independent Walk Packages
Wellington to Picton Interislander Ferry
Marlborough Seafood Cruise
Hobbit Kayaking Tour on Pelorus River
Queen Charlotte Track and Cruise Package
Queen Charlotte Sound Cruise to Ship Cove
Full Day Queen Charlotte Sound Cruise
Deluxe Driving Wine Tours
Pollard Park
Whites Bay
The National Whale Centre
Sawcut Gorge
Beavertown at Brayshaw Museum Park
Marlborough Farmers Markets
Queen Charlotte Sound Guided Kayaking Tours
Queen Charlotte Track Mountain Bike Hire
Queen Charlotte Sounds Kayak Rental
Picton Full Day Tour with the Marlborough Sound Cruise
Marlborough Wine Tour including the Queen Charlotte Sound Cruise
South Island Scenic Flight with Lunch and Wine Tasting
Top 10 Things to do in - Marlborough and surrounds
Cruise
#1
Winery Tour
#2
Queen Charlotte Track
#3
Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre
#4
Maritime Museum
#5
Wildlife Centre
#6
Pollard Park
#7
Kayaking
#8
Scuba Diving
#9
EcoWorld Picton Aquarium
#101. Cruise the Marlborough Sounds
Location:Marlborough Sounds
Marlborough's sounds allow visitors to take advantage of the warmer weather to enjoy them in a wider number of ways, such as swimming kayaking and camping. With one-fifth of New Zealand's amazing coastline to explore, a sounds cruise is what we believe to be the single most essential Marlborough experience during your visit to the region.
2. Take a winery tour
Location:Various locations
Marlborough wouldn't quite be Marlborough without its wine, and the number of wineries and vineyards on offer all throughout the region is simply staggering; suffice it to say, if you're a fan of a drop of the good stuff, you'll be in your element here. From Rieslings to Chardonnay and Pinot Noir to its speciality Sauvignon Blancs, there's a wine in Marlborough to suit every palate, and a winery to cater to every travel itinerary, with most wineries each to reach from the civilised centre of Blenheim.
3. Hike the Queen Charlotte Track
Location:Between Queen Charlotte Sound and Kenepuru Sound
Stretching over an expansive course of roughly 70 kilometres, the Queen Charlotte Track is a journey in the Marlborough region that is famous for providing intrepid visitors with an adventure through its stunning natural scenery. Visitors looking to explore this wondrous route have the option of either braving it themselves or booking a guided walk of varying lengths with operator Wilderness Guides who specialise in all aspects of the track.
4. Explore Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre
Location:79 Aerodrome Rd, Omaka, Blenheim
The Omaka Aviation Centre is one of the unique takes on a significant chapter in New Zealand's history. This popular attraction in Blenheim features numerous restored old aircraft and a cavalcade of other historic memorabilia from the pioneering ages of flight. It's a fascinating place to experience that doesn't necessarily require any particular interest or fascination with aviation to enjoy, as the array of lovingly-recreated World War 1 era planes make for an impressive sight on their own.
5. Visit Edwin Fox Maritime Museum
Location:Dunbar Wharf, Picton
Based around what is currently the world's 9th oldest ship, this gem of a museum captures a slice of New Zealand history in one of the most authentic ways possible. The physical body of the Edwin Fox, a teak and timber trade ship constructed in India back in 1853, sits alongside the actual museum and allows visitors the opportunity to walk through its carefully-maintained innards. This attraction provides an intimate look at what life would have been like for both paying customers and convicts alike, with no additional modern updates or embellishments added.
6. Visit Marlborough Sounds Wildlife Centre
Location:Lochmara Bay, Queen Charlotte Sound, Picton
Another top wildlife attraction found in the Picton area, the Lochmara Lodge Marlborough Sounds Wildlife Recovery Centre is a regional champion of wildlife conservation. Aiming to keep New Zealand's delicate fauna and flora thriving both now and into the future, Lochmara Lodge is hidden away in on the shoreline of the beautiful Lochmara Bay in Queen Charlotte Sound.
7. Roam around Pollard Park
Location:Mayfield, Blenheim
Situated just a few minutes walk from the town centre, Pollard Park is an immaculate example of charming city gardens done right, it has everything you could want for a relaxed and carefree day out in wonderful surrounds. There's a lot packed into a relatively small space, including ducks to feed, a lovely stream running through its midst, well-equipped playground for the kids, barbeque facilities, tennis courts and a wonderful little botanic garden.
8. Go kayaking
Location:Various locations
The Marlborough region's impressive waterways aren't only the domain of cruise ships - more active visitors can also explore this gorgeous region by water with the rental of, or joining on with, a guided kayaking tour. With several kayaking destinations spread over the Marlborough region, this is one of the best ways to see the area from a wholly different perspective. The Queen Charlotte Sounds and Pelorus River are two great kayaking destinations to choose from with visitors given the chance to explore by themselves or with an experienced guide.
9. Go scuba diving
Location:66 Wellington St, Picton
Water plays a key part in what makes Marlborough a naturally attractive part of New Zealand, and there are few better ways to get an up-close view of all the marvels that these waters contain than taking a dive below them. Marlborough Sounds offer over 3000 kilometres of the coast to choose from and is home to a range of high-quality dive sites offering generally good visibility levels that you can visit with operator Go Dive Marlborough.
10. Visit EcoWorld Picton Aquarium
Location:Picton
This attraction aims to showcase the most famous of New Zealand's wildlife from the Marlborough Sounds and beyond, and is home to many of the region's most recognisable water-dwellers such as Little Blue Penguins, Turtles, Seahorses and more. While the aquarium is fairly small, it offers a rare and intimate chance to get up close to the various kinds of sea life, and its staff are highly knowledgeable and always willing to share detailed information on each of the creatures, their habitats and their diets.