Things to do in Marlborough
16 places worth stopping for and 24 places to stay on a road trip through Marlborough.
See and do
- Activity
Activity · HavelockHidden gem
Pelorus Mail Boat
Ride along on the working mail boat delivering to remote bays in Pelorus Sound.
- Winery
Winery · Renwick
Marlborough wine trail Rapaura Road
Cluster of cellar doors around Rapaura and Renwick, with lunches among the vines.
- Scenic drive
Scenic drive · Picton
Queen Charlotte Drive
The winding coastal road between Picton and Havelock with forest and sound views.
- Museum
Museum · Blenheim
Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre
Immaculate World War I and II aircraft displays with film-grade dioramas near Blenheim.
Walk · Pelorus Bridge
Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve
Short loop walk through old-growth forest and swimming holes by the Pelorus River.
Town · Havelock
Havelock
The self-styled green-lipped mussel capital, gateway to Pelorus Sound.
Beach · WardHidden gem
Ward Beach
Rocky coastline raised by the 2016 earthquake, with a seal colony on the rocks.
Town · Picton
Picton foreshore
Harbourside town with the ferry terminal, a historic ship and plenty of cafes.
- Walk
Walk · Anakiwa
Anakiwa
Start (or end) of the Queen Charlotte Track, with a bay for swimming and a cafe.
- Waterfall
Waterfall · Rai ValleyHidden gem
Rai Falls
A short bush walk to a tall waterfall on the Rai Valley road.
- Roadside oddity
Roadside oddity · Seddon
Lake Grassmere salt works
Pink-and-white salt ponds beside the sea, one of the country's main salt sources.
Viewpoint · HavelockHidden gem
Cullen Point
A short loop with views over Pelorus Sound and Havelock.
- Walk
Walk · BlenheimHidden gem
Wairau Lagoons Walkway
Flat birdwatching loop beside lagoons, with a shipwreck in the channel.
- Museum
Museum · Picton
Edwin Fox Maritime Museum
A 19th-century convict and troop ship hull in dry dock at Picton, one of the world's oldest surviving.
- Walk
Walk · RārangiHidden gem
Monkey Bay
A 20 minute walk from Rārangi Beach to a small beach.
- Waterfall
Waterfall · Pelorus BridgeHidden gem
Elvy Waterfalls
Two small falls up Elvy Stream, behind Pelorus Bridge.
Food stops
- Restaurant
Restaurant · Havelock
Havelock Mussel and Seafood Restaurant
Green-lipped mussels in the self-styled mussel capital of the world.
Café · Pelorus Bridge
Pelorus Bridge Café
Roadside cafe beside the Pelorus River, the standard coffee stop between Nelson and Blenheim.
- Café
Café · BlenheimHidden gem
The Burleigh
Blenheim bakery and cafe with proper pies and baking.
- Café
Café · Havelock
Sneaky Beach Café
Early-opening Havelock cafe on the main road, a good coffee stop before the Sounds.
Places to stay
Campground · Pelorus Bridge
Pelorus Bridge
Camp among giant native trees beside the Pelorus River, with swimming and an easy bush loop.
Campground · French PassHidden gem
French Pass campsite
End-of-the-road DOC camp beside the strait between the mainland and D'Urville Island.
Campground · Marlborough SoundsHidden gem
Kenepuru Head campsite
Quiet end-of-the-road camp in the Marlborough Sounds, with forest, sea and few visitors.
- Holiday park
Holiday park · LinkwaterHidden gem
Smiths Farm Holiday Park
Beef farm park on Queen Charlotte Drive with a private glow-worm and waterfall walk.
Campground · MolesworthHidden gem
Cob Cottage campsite (Molesworth)
Remote DOC camp beside a historic cob cottage on the Molesworth road.
Campground · Queen Charlotte Drive
Momorangi Bay campsite
Family DOC camp on a sheltered bay, with a short bush walk and a glow-worm grotto.
Campground · Rarangi
Whites Bay campsite
Large DOC camp on a safe, sandy swimming beach near the old cable station.
- Holiday park
Holiday park · Okiwi BayHidden gem
Okiwi Bay Holiday Park
Small park on the way to French Pass with a store, fuel and a safe swimming beach.
Campground · Queen Charlotte DriveHidden gem
Aussie Bay campsite
Small waterfront DOC camp off Queen Charlotte Drive with sound views.
Campground · Elaine BayHidden gem
Elaine Bay campsite
Quiet DOC camp on the Pelorus Sound coast, a base for boating and walks.
Campground · Tennyson InletHidden gem
Harvey Bay campsite
Large flat DOC camp in Tennyson Inlet, reached over the Ōpōuri Saddle.
Campground · CanvastownHidden gem
Butchers Flat campsite
Old goldfield flat on the Wakamarina River with swimming and a gravel back road.
Campground · Port UnderwoodHidden gem
Robin Hood Bay campsite
Basic beach camp on Port Underwood Road, with surf nearby and chances of Hector's dolphins.
Campground · BlenheimHidden gem
Onamalutu campsite
Quiet DOC camp in remnant podocarp forest with a safe swimming hole.
Campground · Lake GrassmereHidden gem
Marfells Beach campsite
Beach-side DOC camp on the Marlborough coast, with seabirds and big skies.
Holiday park · Picton
Waikawa Bay Holiday Park
Seaside holiday park a few minutes from Picton, with marina views and a ferry-friendly location.
- Campground
Campground · HavelockHidden gem
Waves Campsite
Locals' campsite on SH6 with a bar and lounge, a few minutes from Havelock.
- Holiday park
Holiday park · Spring Creek
Blenheim Spring Creek Top 10
Wine-country Top 10 five minutes from Blenheim and the cellar doors.
Campground · Wairau ValleyHidden gem
Kowhai Point campsite
Basic riverside camp on the Wairau River off SH63, with fishing and swimming nearby.
Campground · Rarangi
Rarangi campsite
Beachside DOC camp north of Blenheim, with dogs on lead allowed by permit.
Campground · Picton
Whatamango Bay campsite
Roomy DOC camp by the sea in Port Underwood, 20 minutes from the Picton ferries.
- Holiday park
Holiday park · Blenheim
Blenheim Bridges Holiday Park
Tree-lined town park with a pool, spa and EV fast charging, 20 minutes from the ferry.
- Holiday park
Holiday park · Waikawa
Picton Top 10 Holiday Park (Waikawa Marina)
Quiet grassy park beside Waikawa Marina with pool and room for large caravans.
- Freedom camping
Freedom camping · Blenheim
Taylor Dam Reserve freedom camping (upper level)
Council freedom camping spot outside Blenheim, for self-contained vehicles only.
Plan the drive, not just the stops
Roadtrip works out what the drive costs in fuel for your car, splits it into days with the best stops and places to sleep, and finds the cheapest fuel on the way.
Rated 4.7 by drivers · 700,000 downloads
