Anyone with a passing familiarity with New Zealand wine will likely have seen (or tasted) Marlborough sauvignon blanc—sample it and others produced at more than 100 wineries in the Marlborough District, most of which are near the town of Blenheim. Just north, the Marlborough Sounds are dotted with white-sand beaches, dense forest, hiking trails, and spectacular views. Seafood fans should try New Zealand’s greenshell mussels in the little town of Havelock.
Tours of the Marlborough District include vineyard visits, wildlife-watching cruises in the sounds (with a high chance of spotting dolphins and penguins), kayaking tours, and hikes along the many short or long trails in the area.
If you’re traveling from the North Island by ferry, you’ll arrive in Picton, at the end of Queen Charlotte Sound; from Wellington, the journey is about three and a half hours. Picton is roughly a 2-hour drive east of Nelson—note that the mountain roads connecting the Marlborough District to Nelson can close at times in winter. Blenheim is about 1.75 hours from Nelson. If you’re driving from Christchurch or Kaikoura, Blenheim and Picton are on the main road.
As the Marlborough District is a sun-filled region, there’s never a bad time to go, though the warmer months (October through April) are preferable for outdoor activities like hiking, camping, and boating. Summer (December through February) is the busiest season.
When traveling between Havelock and Picton, avoid the less interesting highway and take the Queen Charlotte Drive instead. The views over Queen Charlotte Sound and Pelorus Sound will have you stopping every few minutes to take pictures, and luckily there are many places to pull over.