The 10 Best Hidden Gems Things to do in Marlborough Region, South Island

December 10, 2021 Marissa Gamble

The fertile soil and temperate climate of the Wairau River Valley provide the perfect conditions for a wine lover's paradise. Marlborough's thousands of acres of vineyards and dozens of wineries create delectable wines of diverse varietals, from full-bodied Pinot Noir to herbaceous Sauvignon Blanc. The countryside boasts unsurpassed beauty, with its majestic mountains, verdant vineyards and the labyrinth of waterways that make up the Marlborough Sounds.
Restaurants in Marlborough Region

1. Marlborough Sounds

Picton New Zealand +64 3-577 5587 http://www.marlborough.co.nz/sounds.asp
Excellent
88%
Good
11%
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5.0 based on 688 reviews

Marlborough Sounds

Reviewed By paulohartson1 - Amersham, United Kingdom

Take the scenic route from Nelson and you'll find laybys at the side of the road that give you stunning views down the sounds

2. Wine Tours By Bike

Excellent
95%
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5.0 based on 704 reviews

Wine Tours By Bike

A very warm welcome from Steve and Jo. "This is self-guided biking at its best!". Starting from our base in Renwick, where the highest concentration of cellar doors is found, you will have the freedom to set the pace & decide how far you want to bike, who you want to visit, & all without the pressure of having to keep up with others. FREE SHUTTLE SERVICE TO & FROM YOUR ACCOMMODATION (within 15km of our base in Renwick) so you don’t have to risk drinking & driving. Full emergency back-up service in case you have an issue with your bike (eg. puncture or chain falling off), hi-vis helmets & a detailed cellar door map, a briefing at the start to help you get orientated with the area & to tell you about the different cellar doors & what they offer. Up to date menus for lunch ideas & help to book a table. Free collection of any wines bought on the day. Range of step-thru bikes, tandems, trikes & 4 wheeled bikes (roadsters) & kids bikes. Tow-alongs & trailers (FOC) for families.

3. Pelorus Eco Adventures

Excellent
93%
Good
5%
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5.0 based on 285 reviews

Pelorus Eco Adventures

KAYAK NEW ZEALAND'S MOST BEAUTIFUL RIVER. Are you looking for a fun and easy way to discover spectacular New Zealand’s scenery? Do you want to spend a great day out with your family or friends? Are you a Hobbit fan and you don’t want to miss any of the famous filming locations? Then, the Hobbit Kayak Tour is for you!

4. Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre

79 Aerodrome Road, Blenheim 7272 New Zealand +64 3-579 1305 [email protected] http://www.omaka.org.nz
Excellent
85%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
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5.0 based on 1,533 reviews

Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre

The Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre was established to provide a world-class destination for the appreciation of historic aircraft. Some of New Zealand's most respected cinematic and special effects craftsmen have created a dramatic aviation theatre in which original and full-scale replica WW1 and WW2 aircraft, both static and flyable, are presented in all their glory. The museum is home to two exhibitions, "Knights of the Sky" and "Dangerous Skies". The former is on long-term loan from film director Sir Peter Jackson and comprises one of the world's largest collections of World War One aircraft and rare memorabilia. Thanks to Sir Peter's generosity the aircraft have been brought to life in a series of dioramas created by Wingnut Films and enhanced with lifelike mannequins by Weta Workshop. "Dangerous Skies" utilised local talent and features stories from World War Two and takes visitors on a geographical as well as an historical journey.

Reviewed By Wander46757584245 - Dunedin, New Zealand

Amazing display of aircraft - highest level of detail we've encountered worldwide at an aviation museum. 100% recommend !

5. Bladen Wines

83 Conders Bend Road, Renwick 7275 New Zealand +64 3-572 9417 [email protected] http://www.bladen.co.nz
Excellent
89%
Good
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5.0 based on 106 reviews

Bladen Wines

Wine Tasting with the owners family. Small boutique wine producer in an small and friendly tasting facility. Christmas Closure: 23-26th December inclusive Closed: New Years Day

Reviewed By 367lyndals - Christchurch, New Zealand

We visited this boutique cellar door on our wine tour & were delighted with a lovely warm reception by the family dogs & owner who told us the lovely story of how their family became vintners & conception of the cellars name. We enjoyed some beautiful wines & ended up purchasing a bottle of Rose to enjoy later. A lovely way to spend an afternoon.

6. Pelorus Mail Boat

Excellent
89%
Good
7%
Satisfactory
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5.0 based on 536 reviews

Pelorus Mail Boat

An all day cruise through the beautiful Marlborough Sounds delivering mail and groceries to remote and secluded properties. The Pelorus Sound is the largest of the Sounds and the Mail Boat is a lifeline to the people living in this boat access wonderland. You will hear a great selection of stories about life in the Sounds, its history, and how the mail has been delivered like this since 1918. You will also get to experience the marine and bird life in the area including 5 types of dolphins, Australasian gannets, rare shags, seals and many more. A full mussel farm tour is also included and there is usually an opportunity to see the mussel boats operating during harvesting or seeding. We will stop off at a local lodge and passengers are able to buy lunch or bring your own lunch and come with us to a local farm for a tour. You will also be able to enjoy a bush walk or swim if you would like. We operate 7 days in summer, which is November to April.

7. Hop n Grape Tours

Excellent
98%
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5.0 based on 667 reviews

Hop n Grape Tours

*** The only tour in Marlborough where a local Winemaker is your tour guide!!! Here is a fun, flexible, and informative wine tour tailored for you. Whether you are thirsty for knowledge… or thirsty for wine, let the experts in the industry open doors to places you can’t go without a winemaker. You get to start your day with a vineyard tour and winery tour. This allows you insight to the winemaking process and teaches you how to be a professional wine taster. This tour will leave you satisfied whether you know everything, something, or nothing about wine. If someone in your group have a preference for beer... don't despair we have this covered! Marlborough is the home of just a handful of breweries, but they just happen to be ultra-premium, hand-crafted, and award winning beers and ciders! You'll have an amazing day out which is relaxed, informative and unforgettable. If this sounds like you... BOOK NOW!!! We collect guest from Picton on the Full day wine Tour around Marlborough.

8. Edwin Fox Maritime Museum

1 Auckland St, Picton 7220 New Zealand +64 3-573 6868 [email protected] http://www.edwinfoxsociety.com
Excellent
71%
Good
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4.5 based on 393 reviews

Edwin Fox Maritime Museum

We are open! Every day from 9am! The Edwin Fox is a great example of NZ Maritime History, 161 years old this year and currently listed as the 9th oldest ship in the world, the oldest surviving merchant ship, last surviving convict ship that took convicts to Australia and last wooden NZ immigrant ship and was also used to transport troops to the Crimean war.Come step aboard, go into the hull of the ship and visit the dry dock to get a real feel of the size of the ship and indeed what voyages would of been like!Open everyday group bookings and guided tours by arrangement.

Reviewed By samifido

This was a last minute decision to do as we just got off our cruise ship to walk around Picton and found this marvellous museum. Extremely interesting and informative and loved walking around the actual ship to see and touch the original wood and imagine what life would have been like. For $15 it’s definitely worth a short visit.

9. Forrest Wines Cellar Door

19 Blicks Road Blenheim, Renwick 7204 New Zealand +64 3-572 9084 [email protected] http://www.forrest.co.nz/
Excellent
80%
Good
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Satisfactory
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Poor
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4.5 based on 168 reviews

Forrest Wines Cellar Door

Our Marlborough winery and tasting room are nestled in amongst our vineyards in the heart of Sauvignon Blanc country just outside of the town of Renwick, 10km from Blenheim. At the entrance to Forrest wines stands a prominent stone wall built of the very stones that come from the surrounding area of the Wairau Valley. Beyond the wall the drive way winds through our oldest Sauvignon Blanc vineyard, over the small stone bridge and into a beautiful park setting, with willow trees and a duck pond, picnic tables and outdoor games for the whole family. The atmosphere is relaxed and family-friendly, with toys for children of all ages. You may even catch a glimpse of Frankie the family dog, she is so welcoming. The tasting room has a casual kiwi feel with comfortable seating in and out, and bean bags to enjoy a lounge in the sun. An eclectic range of wines from the innovative Doctors' range and the quintessential Forrest Marlborough range are on offer - a chance to taste a couple of your favourites or be adventurous and try a tasting tray with your choice of six wines for $7. We pride ourselves on providing informative discussions about our wines, winemaking and our region. A selection of different food platters are available, or bring your own picnic. We run a Winetasting 101 Masterclass daily (by appointment) at 1030 for $25 pp if you are want to get an overview of wine. Open 7 days 10am-4.30pm. Closed on Christmas Day, Easter Good Friday, the morning of ANZAC Day - 25 April and Marlborough Anniversary Day in October. Marlborough has one of the world’s greatest wine trails: fabulous wine, breathtaking scenery, a warm climate and relaxed people clustered in one small grape growing region (approximately 14 x 7 kilometres). More than fifty wineries offer a variety of wine, food and entertainment. You can either drive, take a guided bus tour, or hire a bicycle and pedal your way around the vineyards.

Reviewed By Helenjen - Brisbane, Australia

This was the first winery we visited over three days spent in Marlborough and what an excellent stop it was! We were warmly welcomed by Becky who was very knowledgeable about the wines and we enjoyed sharing the free tasting of two tastes per person or alternatively you can have a tasting tray of 7 for $10, which is very fair. The highlight was tasting their riesling from 2010, The Valleys Brancott riesling that in hindsight, we should have bought...but unfortunately, when travelling, you can't buy every bottle you like! Definitely worth a visit!

10. Pollard Park

Parker Street, Blenheim New Zealand http://asp-au.secure-zone.net/v2/index.jsp
Excellent
74%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
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4.5 based on 250 reviews

Pollard Park

Reviewed By Rainy0 - Auckland Central, New Zealand

We spent an hour or so here on a stunning day having a wander around looking at all the plants. Very well maintained with lots of things to see. Loved the stream running thru.

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