There are over 40 vineyards in the Marlborough region and most within just a 10km radius of Blenheim. Not only will you find stunning wines but also a wide variety of oils, crafts, cafés and restaurants. Drive yourself and visit a vast selection of cellar doors, but please be careful not to drink and drive! Maps of the Marlborough wine region (www.wine-marlborough.co.nz) are available at reception and please ask if you would like any advice or suggestions of where to start. Take a tour - let someone else do the driving so you can enjoy what Marlborough does best! Or Hire a bike! All of these vineyards can be explored by bike along the quiet back roads. Either take a map with a suggested route or take a guide with you.
Wine Tours:
- Bubbly Grape Wine Tours - as featured in Lonely Planet. Relax and let Kerry and her team 'drive you to drink'. www.bubblygrape.co.nz
- Wine Tours by Bike - highlighted as a 'Top Tour' in Lonely Planet - 2008. Visit www.winetoursbybike.co.nz
- Marlborough Travel - for an extensive range of daily tours, both scheduled and private tours of the Marlborough wine region. Indulge with fabulous wine and food tours, explore with scenic tours, garden tours and arts tours. Experience the Marlborough Sounds with a cruise on our luxury launches. www.marlboroughtravel.co.nz
- Marlborough Wine Tours. www.marlboroughwinetours.co.nz
Wineries: (www.wine-marlborough.co.nz)
- Saint Clair Cellar Door and Cafe - is a family-owned winery, established by Neal and Judy Ibbotson, viticultural pioneers in Marlborough since 1978. www.saintclair.co.nz
- Forrest Estate Winery - arriving in the first wave of European settlement of Marlborough, the Forrest family have farmed the land for generations. www.forrest.co.nz
Blenheim is blessed with a wide range of dining options where you can sample some of our local delicacies such as salmon, scallops, green lip mussell, chocolate, olive oils, artisan breads, cheese, pickles, chutneys and wild premium game. What better place to sample some of these delights than at the Marlborough Farmers Market which is held every Sunday rain or shine: www.farmersmarket.co.nz. For evening dining in Blenheim we have a wide range of menus available for you to select from.
While most vineyard restaurants open for lunch only Gibbs Vineyard Restaurant is open for evening dining: www.gibbs-restaurant.co.nz. Your lunchtime otpions include Highfield Estate, Saint Clair, Allan Scott, Hunter's, Wairau River, Montana and The Vines village. Makana Chocolate Factory visit the home of Makana hand made chocolates, see them being made and indulge yourself in a tasty treat. www.makana.co.nz.
Museums, Activities & Golf Courses:
- Knights of the Sky www.omaka.org.nz Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre has one of the world's largest private collections of WW1 aircraft and memorabilia brought to life by the masters of cinematic spectacle. Located at Marlborough's historically significant Omaka Aerodrome, the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre is a unique aviation experience. Designed to fascinate, educate and inspire visitors of all ages, Omaka aims to conserve our aviation heritage and is poised to become one of New Zealand's leading visitor attractions.
- Molesworth Tour Company offer unique tours of New Zealand's largest high country station. Check out their website for more information on the various tours they offer. www.molesworthtours.co.nz.
- Marlborough River Queen www.theriverqueen.co.nz 'Escape the Everyday' as you wine, dine and cruise the beautiful Opawa River aboard Marlborough's River Queen.
- Driftwood Eco-Tours - look forward to sharing their wildlife adventure with you while you kayak the Opawa River and Vernon Lagoon www.driftwoodecotours.co.nz.
- Art Galleries: The Millennium Gallery in Seymour Square and The Marlborough Gallery at 204 High Street are both within easy walking distance of the motel.
- Art and craft trail map available at reception which details a number of artists who have come together and invite you to discover their creative talents.
- Golf Courses - There are a number of good golf courses in the Marlborough region that are set in beautiful surroundings. www.golf.co.nz.
Marlborough Sounds, Picton & Queen Charlotte Track
- Marlborough Travel - www.greenshellmusselcruise.co.nz. Daily cruise departures over the summer season from the Havelock Marina. A wonderful cruise out in to the Pelorus and Kenepuru Sounds where you will visit a Greenshell Mussel Farm for the perfect wine and food match of fresh mussels served with a glass of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc.
- Waterways Boating Safaris.... drive a boat ...explore the Sounds. Enjoy the thrill of driving your own boat to explore the majestic wilderness of Marlborough Sounds www.waterways.co.nz. The Queen Charlotte Track is a track for all seasons that stretches for 71km. Renowned for its stunning views and contrasting landscape, historical landmarks and wonderful variety of native bush and wildlife. www.qctrack.co.nz.
- Wilderrness Guides are your guides to the Marlborough Sounds whether you want to kayak, bike or hike. Check out www.wildernessguidesnz.com
- Beachcomber Cruises offer the world famous magic mail run, lunch cruises and many other options www.mailboat.co.nz.
Other Useful Websites:
- Destination Marlborough www.destinationmarlborough.com.
- Marlborough District Council www.marlborough.govt.nz.
- Marlborough 4 Fun www.marlborough4fun.co.nz.