You're going to love scenic Marlborough!
For visitors to the region, Marlborough is an exciting vacation destination that provides an exhilarating and varied range of attractions and activities. From enjoying a glass of our world-famous Sauvignon Blanc at one the region's numerous wineries to swimming with dolphins in the Marlborough Sounds, the region offers a multitude of recreational delights.
If you enjoy sea-kayaking or scenic boat tours, visits to formal gardens or hiking through native bush, Marlborough is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the finer things in life. For the eco-tourist and nature-lover, the region provides numerous opportunities to see some of our wildlife close up. Dolphins, seals, shags, blue penguins abound throughout the Sounds and along the coastline to Kaikoura. Native birds such as tui, bellbirds, fantails and the native kingfisher can be encountered throughout the region, especially in areas covered in native bush.
It's a fact - did you know this about Marlborough?
RESOLUTION & ADVENTURE
Captain James Cook visited the Marlborough Sounds for the second time in 1773 aboard the Resolution. He had left England with Capt. Tobias Ferneaux, who commanded the Adventure, but the ships became separated in a storm. Ferneaux arrived in the Sounds 10 days before Cook, but departed before Cook's arrival. During Ferneaux's visit to the Sounds, several of his crew were killed and eaten by local Maori.
Captain James Cook visited the Marlborough Sounds for the second time in 1773 aboard the Resolution. He had left England with Capt. Tobias Ferneaux, who commanded the Adventure, but the ships became separated in a storm. Ferneaux arrived in the Sounds 10 days before Cook, but departed before Cook's arrival. During Ferneaux's visit to the Sounds, several of his crew were killed and eaten by local Maori.
Stay Awhile
From water-side retreats tucked away in secluded settings to hotels, motels and backpacker hostels, Marlborough has a wide range of accommodation options to suit different needs and price ranges.
Marlborough's Maori
The region's Maori have a rich history and culture. Enjoy the warmth of Maori hospitality and retrace the footsteps of their ancestors and explain how traditional values fit into contemporary lifestyles.
Gardens Grow
Discover a stunning array of Marlborough's secluded gardens. From formal 'knot gardens' with their neatly trimmed hedges to wild and colourful English cottage gardens, Marlborough is a gardener's delight.
Pic of the Week