Blenheim Must-Do's

Marlborough Museum

Detailing the area’s history with an emphasis on its wine industry, there’s a mock 1900s village and several carefully curated exhibits. Entry is free on Saturdays.

Blenheim Riverside Railway

Sitting adjacent to Blenheim Museum and a big hit with kids, skirt the riverbank on a miniature train to Blenheim, Ōmaka Airfield and Aviation Museum. The train runs on sporadic weekends and school holidays – check their website for schedules.

TOP TIP: Get free entry to the Marlborough Museum during the school holidays, simply show your Blenheim Riverside Railway tickets to museum staff.

Makana Confections

Did someone say chocolate? Tease your taste buds with free-flowing samples and watch how bespoke chocolates are made. Warning, you’ll buy the whole shop.

Ōmaka Classic Cars

Come and marvel at over 100 cars from the 50s to the 80s, all in mint condition. Huge exhibition halls are paired with an on-site workshop. Conveniently located next to the Ōmaka Aviation Heritage Centre. Open Friday to Sunday 11am-3.30pm

Fly a WWII Fighter

Ōmaka Aviation Heritage Centre © RMP Brown

Jet Get down to Ōmaka Aviation Heritage Centre for excellent World War displays, memorabilia from Sir Peter Jackson’s own plane collection and vintage aircraft joy rides.

Blenheim to Spring Creek Pathway

Breathe in countryside air while walking or cycling this 4.6km trail to Spring Creek, a small but charming town with a sprinkling of wine tasting venues and a good pub.

Sweet Creations

Blending a café, floristry workshops and baking classes, every experience inside these four walls is a beautiful one. Book early for weekly dessert nights – understandably popular.

Wine Barrel Cabins

Rest your head in a giant wine barrel. Nestled between the vines, Sleeping Barrels boast two cosy wooden pods, offering the quirkiest night’s sleep in the Sounds.

Dodson Street Beer Garden

For those of us with a penchant for beer, this award-winning Bavarian tavern is housed in Marlborough’s oldest commercial building and pours New Zealand’s largest selection of craft beers.

Arbour Restaurant

Fine dining done right. Set, multi-course menus feature an extensive range of ever-changing local producers, winning the establishment Two Hats.

SS Waverley

Trace the flat and family-friendly shoreline of the Wairau Lagoons, past various seabirds, to the enormous rusty hulk of the SS Waverley. Most spectacular at sunset.

Marlborough Farmers’ Market

Do as the locals do and pick up the freshest seasonal produce that Marlborough has to offer. Every Sunday from 9am to 12 noon at the A&P Showgrounds.

Tuamarina Cemetery

Drive 10km north of Blenheim to see a memorial to the Wairau affray in 1843: the first conflict between the Māori and Europeans following the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi.

Wither Hills Farm Park

Offering a good range of walking and mountain biking tracks on a working sheep and cattle farm, this serene rolling landscape is minutes from central Blenheim. The Covernent Loop Track to Mount Vernon is a 7.1km loop trail soaking up the best of the 422m-high peak. Allow two to three hours to complete. Alternatively, the Mt Vernon Traverse is a challenging mountain bike trail.

Wither Hills Farm Park © Only Marlborough

Seddon

This small town south of Blenheim is close to the Awatere Valley wine region and the striking Grassmere salt works.

Ward

Nearby Ward is loaded with history. Check out Ward Beach.

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