Blenheim
Surrounded by endless rows of vines, Blenheim lies at the heart of the Marlborough wine region. This charming, compact town is built around a traditional marketplace, offering a welcoming atmosphere and a taste of local life. With a fantastic selection of cafés, restaurants, and shops, it’s the perfect place to unwind for an afternoon. The town is also home to the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre, which houses Peter Jackson's Great War collection, complete with mannequins by Weta Workshop.
Of course, no visit to the region would be complete without sampling its world-class wines at the many renowned wineries.
Full Day Marlborough Wine Tour
A Full Day Wine Tour, departing around 10.30am and returns 4.30pm. Discover the diversity of Marlborough's famous wine valley. You will visit approximately 6 - 7 venues. A winery lunch stop is included at your own cost. Tasting fees may apply at selected wineries.
Marlborough Icons Tour with Marlborough Tour Company - Lunch Included
Marlborough has become world famous for two iconic areas, the Marlborough wine region and the Marlborough Sounds. Enjoy the perfect combo tour through both areas on the Marlborough Icons Tour. Start your morning with a guided tour of two premier wineries, hearing the stories behind the labels and tasting award-winning varietals. Afterward, head to the water for a relaxing seafood cruise through the Queen Charlotte Sound. Indulge in a fresh BBQ lunch on board paired with local seafood, including King salmon and Greenshell mussels, as you glide past lush coastal scenery and hidden bays.
Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre Combo Entry
Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre houses a display like no other and you don't have to be an aviation buff to enjoy it! Human stories from the Great War come to life in a theatrical treatment, which is innovative and visually stunning. Assisted by mannequins from Peter Jackson's Weta Workshop, captivating scenes depict the aircraft in context, some recreating actual incidents. The rare memorabilia is worthy of any national collection and ranges from beautifully crafted 'trench art' to personal items belonging to the famous Red Baron himself.
Coastal Pacific Train: Blenheim to Christchurch
The Coastal Pacific train journey travels between the delightful port of Picton and Christchurch, the South Island's largest city. This journey is a scenic feast of New Zealand, with the Kaikoura mountain ranges on one side of your train and the rugged Pacific Ocean coastline on the other. Along the way you pass though the village of Kaikoura, where, if you're touring New Zealand, you can break your journey to take in the whale watching or dare to get closer and swim with the dolphins.
Travel through some of New Zealand's finest horticultural and farmland areas, and see amazing wildlife such as dolphins, seals and penguins from the comfort of your train carriage.
One of the world's most scenic train journeys, the Coastal Pacific travels through 22 tunnels and crosses 175 bridges, one of them being New Zealand's only road-rail bridge. As on The TranzAlpine, The Coastal Pacific includes an open air viewing carriage where all your senses are awakened with the clean, fresh, sea air.
Full-Day Beyond the Vines Wine Tasting Tour with Marlborough Wine Tours
Take in the sights of Marlborough's wine country scenery and taste some of the region's best offerings on this full-day tour from Blenheim. We visit 5-6 wineries on the tour to taste Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Riesling and Pinot Noir as well as some lesser known varieties from the area. One of the cellar doors will be a lunch venue - at your expense on the day. Our guides will take you on a journey through the region and you will taste many wines and learn so much more about wine production and our beautiful Marlborough region.
Full Day Winemakers Tour with Hop n Grape
You get a close look at the wine production process as your winemaker guide educates your mind and your palate from vineyard to bottle! Hop ‘n Grape tours go beyond the cellar door so you can sample the best – straight from the barrel. You can ask all those curly questions, so you can dazzle your friends back home with your NZ Wine Know-How. Your full day tour starts with a behind-the-scenes look at a modern-day winery. You’ll either taste grape juice fresh from the press; sample a young Pinot Noir from the barrel; or try a freshly filtered Sauvignon Blanc.
Next, you’ll get up close and personal with the Marlborough wine region and you’ll taste any delight that isn’t tied down. You will visit 4-6 wineries which can include local breweries, with over 40 cellar doors to choose from, if you’ve got a favourite we’ll do our best to get you there. Lunch at a vineyard restaurant is always a highlight (at own cost). There is also opportunity to do a Cheese tasting, Olive oil tasting or a visit to Makana Chocolate Shop.