Blenheim (New Zealand)

• i-Site Visitor Information Centre

  phone: +64 3 577 8080
  address: 8 Sinclair St

By bus

InterCity buses travel Picton-Christchurch return or Picton-Nelson return, passing through Blenheim. The bus will drop you off in the railway station, which is also the information centre. The centre of town is south-west from the railway station. If you want to walk into town from the station, cross State Highway 1 at the southern end of the carpark. The river 40 m further marks the beginning of the central business district.
Nelson Lakes Shuttles specialise in providing transport for trampers, hikers, climbers, mountain bikers and skiers. They run on-demand and scheduled services to St Arnaud, Nelson Lakes National Park, Kahurangi National Park, the Richmond Ranges and other tramping destinations further afield.

By car

A short 20 minute drive south on State Highway 1 from Picton which is the home of the terminal for the inter-island ferry service from Wellington.
From Nelson, Blenheim is 1½ hours east, travelling via Havelock (30 minutes) and Renwick (10 minutes) on State Highway 6.
State Highway 63 runs from the south west from St Arnaud (1 hr 15 min), Murchison (2 hours) and Westport (3½ hours)
From the south, State Highway 1 links Blenheim with Christchurch (4 hours), Kaikoura (1½ hours) and Seddon (15 minutes)

By plane

Blenheim has a small airport at Woodbourne, 10 minutes from Blenheim and 4 minutes from Renwick. Air New Zealand has regular services from Auckland and Wellington. Sounds Air commuter aircraft fly to Wellington, Kapiti Coast (at Paraparaumu, just north of Wellington), Napier and Christchurch.

By train

Coastal Pacific (formerly TranzCoastal), +64 4 495 0775 (email bookings@kiwirailscenic.co.nz, fax +64 4 472 8903, Freephone 0800 TRAINS (0800 872 467) (NZ only)). Train service operates daily from October through April between Christchurch and Picton via Blenheim and Kaikoura. There are stunning views with the Kaikoura mountains on one side and the Pacific Ocean on the other. The railway station is on Grove Rd.

The Blenheim Bus Service is limited and of no real use to travellers. The centre of town and most accommodation is within easy walking distance. Vineyards and other attractions further afield will require transport.
Blenheim is the largest town in New Zealand without any traffic lights. The town however has dozens of intersections controlled by roundabouts, including one five-way roundabout on State Highway 1 with the Picton-Christchurch railway line running through the middle of it!
For those without the inclination to bike or without a car, taxis or a tour are the most practical options.

• Neal Shuttle BusOften meets planes at the airport. They are happy to arrange a wine trail. Seats 10 (but takes single rides too).

• Marlborough Taxis Ltd

• Gateway Taxis

• Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre

  address: 79 Aerodrome Rd
  Collection of World War I planes lovingly restored and captured in realistic settings. Part of the attraction is the association of Peter Jackson (of Lord of the Rings fame) and Weta Workshop with the display. His team has turned what could be just a collection of planes into a drama enjoyed by even those with little interest in aviation or military history. Worth it. Has a cafe.

• Marlborough Museum

  address: 26 Arthur Baker Pl
  There is a huge amount of artifacts and many displays which relate to the local history. Also houses "Beavertown" a replica "early Blenheim" village. Visit the audiovisual theater which shows both local and international history-oriented films.

• Millennium Art Gallery

  address: corner Seymour & Alfred Sts

• Pollard Park

  address: off Parker St
  Beautiful landscaping. Don't miss the roses and camellias.

• Seymour Square

  address: cnr High and Seymour Sts
  See the formal gardens.

• Walk in the Wither Hills. Blenheim is framed to the south by a farm park which is open to the public. A great spot for a view over the Wairau valley. Popular with runners and walkers of all fitness levels. Accessible from the end of Scott St, Redwood St and Maxwell Rd.
• Mountain bike the various river and road trails, including the

  Wither Hills Bike Park

• Wine Tours by Bike

  address: 33 Blicks Rd, Renwick
  Enjoy the scenery and take a tranquil tour around the wineries by bike. There are around 30 wineries within a 10 km radius of Blenheim that can be explored by bike. Pick-up can be arranged from your accommodation.

• Marlborough Wine Tour

  phone: +64 3 577 9997
  Select from half-day and full-day wine tours. Join a scheduled tour or take your very own private tour. Enjoy the very best of the Marlborough wine region.

• Marlborough Travel tours and cruises

  address: Central Blenheim
  Offering a range of private transport options, wine tours, transfers for individuals, couples and groups. The company owns and operates cars, vans, buses and coaches as well as launches in the Marlborough Sounds.

• Mud House Village

  address: 193 Rapaura Rd
  Offers wine and coffee tasting. Liqueurs, fruit brandies, infused olive oils etc for sale. Visit the Olive Shop and Quilters Barn (art and craft).

• Marlborough Aero ClubGo on a scenic flight or learn to fly

• Blenheim Golf Club

  address: Parker St
  9 holes. Great little course close to town.

• Marlborough Golf Club

  address: Paynters Rd
  18 holes.

• Rarangi Golf Club

  address: Rarangi Beach Rd
  18 holes.

• Hedgerows Strawberry Farm

  address: Cnr Old Renwick Rd and Rene St
  A fun destination for locals and tourists. Sales of fresh strawberries and strawberry products. Real fruit ice-cream and refreshments. Mini petanque court, picnic areas. Parking for camper vans, mini tour buses and bikes.
• Catch the rugby at

  Landsdowne Park

  address: Landsdowne St

• Marlborough Farmers Market

  address: A&P Park, cnr Maxwell and Alabama Rds
  Boutique local growers, live music and $7 breakfasts cooked by local chefs. Quality coffee.

• Thomas's

  address: 54 Market St
  A department store, almost incongruous for a smaller town. Large selection of quality (and highly priced) men's, women's and homewear.

• New World Supermarket

  address: 1 Freswick St
  Notable for a selection of local wines priced right.

• Gillan Gallery

  address: Grove Rd

• Blenheim Rotary Car Boot Sale

  address: Grove Road
  Cheap and cheerful

• Redwood Market

  address: Redwood Tavern carpark, Cleghorn St
  Fruit, vegetables, flowers, plants, arts & crafts, Organised by the Rotary Club of Blenheim South.

Budget

• Figaro's

  address: 8 Scott St
  Contemporary, stylish and informal for breakfast and lunch.

• Sagai Japanese Restaurant

  address: 35a High St
  Lunch and dinner.

• Watery Mouth Café

  address: 71 High St

Mid-range

• Raupō Café

  address: 2 Symons St
  Café, restaurant and traiteur (food to take out).

• Roger's Kitchen

  address: 57 Seymour St
  Roger Raizada's Indian restaurant.

Splurge

• Herzog Winery and Restaurant

  address: 81 Jeffries Rd
  A 5-star experience.

• Hotel d’Urville

  address: 52 Queen St
  Fine dining in central Blenheim. Contemporary cuisine in a classic building.

Marlborough is one of the top wine growing areas in New Zealand.

Wineries

Most of the tastings are free and the service is very friendly. A biking wine tour in Blenheim is a fantastic way to spend an afternoon. You can bring home a bottle from each in your rented bike's haversack. Most Marlborough wineries focus on white wines, with many of the wineries providing only one red variety plus a blush variety.
Due to national liquor laws, all winery cellar doors are closed on Christmas Day (25 December), Good Friday, Easter Sunday, and before 1PM on Anzac Day (25 April) unless otherwise stated.

• Cloudy Bay

  phone: +64 3 520-9140
  address: Jacksons Rd
  Known for its Sauvignon Blanc and sparkling wines.

• Highfield Estate

  address: 27 Brookby Rd
  The tower at the winery has a commanding view over the lower Wairau River. A great place to get your bearings.

• Hunters Wines

  phone: +64 3 572-8489
  address: 603 Rapaura Rd (SH 62)
  Won over 80 gold medals including the Marquis de Goulaine Trophy for Best Sauvignon Blanc in the World at the 1992 International Wine & Spirit Competition. There is also a restaurant and a native garden.

• Brancott Estate Winery

  phone: +64 3 520-6975
  address: 180 Brancott Rd
  Numerous awards including gold at the London International Wine Challenge 2003. Number one selling NZ wine company. The multi-million dollar visitor facility has a restaurant, retail store and the Brancott Theater.

• Nautilus

  phone: +64 3 572-6008
  address: 12 Rapaura Rd (SH 62)
  Known for its Cuvee NV.

• Seresin Estate

  phone: +64 3 572 9408
  address: 85 Bedford Rd, Renwick
  On a terrace with views over Condors Bend and the Richmond Ranges beyond, this organic vineyard produces premium quality wine and olive oil.

• Villa Maria

  phone: +64 3 520 8470
  address: Cnr Paynters & New Renwick Roads
  One of NZ's top award winning wineries. Complimentary wine tasting. Winery tours by appointment.

Bars

In recent years, Blenheim's drinking scene has diversified:

• The Cornerstone Restaurant & Bar

  address: 70 Queen St
  All things to all people?

• Dolce Bar and Restaurant

  address: 11 Market St
  Pizza restaurant by day. Live DJs by night some weekends

• Paddy Barry's Irish Bar

  address: 51 Scott St
  Every town has one. Quiz nights on Wednesdays.

Budget

• Biddy Kate's Backpackers

  address: 2 Market St
  Has a variety of room options, a communal kitchen area, a spacious lounge room with Freeview on a large plasma TV and a balcony area. Biddy Kate's Irish Bar is also on premises.

• Koanui Lodge & Backpackers

  address: 33 Main St

• Leeways Backpackers

  phone: +64 3 579-2213
  address: 33 Lansdowne St
  Offers free pickup from the iSite or airport.

Mid-range

• 193 Aorangi Manor

  address: 193 High St

• Lugano Motor Lodge

  address: cnr High & Henry Sts

Splurge

• Hotel d'Urville

  address: 52 Queen St
  Stylish central accommodation with high quality restaurant attached. (Tastefully) themed rooms.

• Marlborough Bed & Breakfast

  address: Bush Rd, Tuamarina
  Delicious food, stunning location, friendly hospitable hosts.

• Vintners Retreat Hotel and Villas

  address: 190 & 55 Rapaura Rd
  In the heart of the wine growing district. Rural vistas.

Internet

• Marlborough District Library

  address: 33 Arthur St
  Free WiFi is available.

• PCMedia

  address: 16 High St

Post

• Post Office

  address: Cnr Scott & Main Sts

• Blenheim is a gateway to the Marlborough Sounds, sunken valleys offering yachting, fishing and dolphin watching.
• The Wairau Bar won't be to everybody's taste, but there is beauty if you look. Located at the mouth of the Wairau river (hence the name), the site allows sweeping views of the Wairau Lagoons, Cloudy Bay and over to the North Island. Above the stony beach (not good for swimming) are collections of coastal plants, salty dunes and Māori pits. The Wairau Bar was the site of shipwrecks when it was a major transport hub in the 1920s. To enjoy the area you will have to ignore the vehicle access to seemingly everywhere. Access from Blenheim is taking State Highway 1 north, and turning right (east) into the townshp of Spring Creek. After passing the township and crossing the Wairau River, turn right onto Wairau Bar Rd. The Wairau Bar is at the end of the road.
• The best sea swimming in the region can be found at White's Bay. The horseshoe shaped bay protects the sandy beach from the worst weather. The Surf Club and a Department of Conservation campground have basic facilities only. Bush walks run up behind the beach and take from 10 minutes to all day. The walk over the ridge from Rarangi takes approximately one hour. The historic telegraph office which linked the North and South Island provides interest although it is not open to the public. To drive to White's Bay drive north from Blenheim on State Highway 1 and turn right (east) at Tuamarina. Travel through the seaside settlement of Rarangi and continue to follow the Port Underwood Rd. Spectacular views over the lower Wairau from the ridgeline. The turn into White's Bay is just before the end of the tar-seal.
• The Port Underwood Rd can be followed through to Picton. This, for the most part, gravel road twists around the coast passing Robin Hood Bay, the site of an early missionary settlement featuring a stud-and-mud cottage built in 1854 by the whaler Captain Jackson and the pits of a kumara (sweet potato) garden are evident just off the foreshore. The road takes 1 hr 15 min from Rarangi to Picton giving periodically spectacular views over Port Underwood and points south.
• Nelson Lakes National Park and its gateway village St Arnaud, offering bush walking, fresh water fishing and beautiful mountain scenery, is about an hour away by car.
• Ski Rainbow. 1 hr 15 min to the bottom of the access road, Rainbow Skifield is the northernmost skifield in the South Island, close to the village of St Arnaud.
• Pelorus Bridge on the road towards Nelson is an excellent day picnic destination during summer. The area is very scenic and the river surreal. Plus the opportunity to have a swim during a hot summers day and stay overnight at the campground.