Blenheim (New Zealand)

Blenheim (Māori: Waiharakeke) is the most populous town in the Marlborough wine-growing region in the north-east of the South Island of New Zealand. It is one of the sunniest towns in the country, with summers that are typically warm and dry, and winters that are normally cool and frosty with clear sunny days. It has 30,000 residents.

Understand

Get in

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 1Β½ 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 (3Β½ hours) From the south, State Highway 1 links Blenheim with Christchurch (4 hours), Kaikoura (1Β½ 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) and Christchurch.

By train
Main article: Rail travel in New Zealand
  • Coastal Pacific (formerly TranzCoastal), ☏ +64 4 495 0775, toll-free: 0800-872467 (in country 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. 

Get around

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 Bus, ☏ +64 3 577 5277. Often meets planes at the airport. They are happy to arrange a wine trail. Seats 10 (but takes single rides too). 
  • Marlborough Taxis Ltd, ☏ +64 3 577 5511. 
  • Gateway Taxis, ☏ +64 3 577 2072. 

See
  • 🌍 Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre, 79 Aerodrome Rd (beside Omaka Aerodrome (not Blenheim Airport) 5 km from town, route sign-posted off SH6), ☏ +64 3 579 1305, . Daily 10AM-5PM (last entry 4PM) except 25–26 Dec. 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. Adult $25, child (5–14) $10, concessions available. 
  • 🌍 Marlborough Museum (Brayshaw Museum Park), 26 Arthur Baker Pl (off New Renwick Rd), ☏ +64 3 578 1712, fax: +64 3 578 1739, . Daily 10AM-4PM (except 25 April til 1PM, Good Friday & 25 Dec). 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. $10. 
  • 🌍 Millennium Art Gallery, corner Seymour & Alfred Sts (opposite Seymour Sq), ☏ +64 3 579 2001, fax: +64 3 579 2162, . M-F 10:30AM-4:30PM, Sa Su 1-4PM and some public holidays. Free. Donation appreciated. 
  • 🌍 Pollard Park, off Parker St. Beautiful landscaping. Don't miss the roses and camellias. 
  • 🌍 Seymour Square, cnr High and Seymour Sts. See the formal gardens. 

Do
  • 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, 33 Blicks Rd, Renwick, ☏ +64 3 577 7954, . 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. $45 (5 hours). 
  • Marlborough Wine Tour (Will collect from accommodation), ☏ +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. day tour $210. (updated Apr 2016)
  • Marlborough Travel tours and cruises, Central Blenheim (Collections), ☏ +64 35779997. 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, 193 Rapaura Rd, ☏ +64 3 572 7170, . Daily from 10AM. 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 Club, ☏ +64 3 578 5073. Daily. Go on a scenic flight or learn to fly 
  • Blenheim Golf Club, Parker St, ☏ +64 21 811 573, . 9 holes. Great little course close to town. $20 Green fees. 
  • Marlborough Golf Club (Fairhall), Paynters Rd, ☏ +64 3 578 7646, . 18 holes. 
  • Rarangi Golf Club, Rarangi Beach Rd, ☏ +64 3 570 5709, . 18 holes. 
  • Hedgerows Strawberry Farm, Cnr Old Renwick Rd and Rene St (Between Blenheim and Renwick), ☏ +64 3 578 52 68. Tu-Su 9AM-5PM. 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. free entry. 
  • Catch the rugby at Landsdowne Park (one of the Tasman Makos stadiums), Landsdowne St, ☏ +64 3 578 4070, . $12-35. 

Buy
  • Marlborough Farmers Market, A&P Park, cnr Maxwell and Alabama Rds, ☏ +64 3 579 3599, +64 3 575 7697, fax: +64 3 579 3598, +64 3 575 7698, . Nov-May: Su 9AM-noon. Boutique local growers, live music and $7 breakfasts cooked by local chefs. Quality coffee. 
  • Thomas's, 54 Market St, ☏ +64 3 578 6369, fax: +64 3 578 6367, . 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, 1 Freswick St (from the post office walk west, past the police station, over the roundabout/railway tracks; on your right), ☏ +64 3 520 9030, . Daily 7AM-10PM. Notable for a selection of local wines priced right. 
  • Gillan Gallery, Grove Rd (diagonally opposite the Blenheim Railway Station), ☏ +64 3 579 4604. 
  • Blenheim Rotary Car Boot Sale, Grove Road (public carpark by railway station), ☏ +64 3 578 5735. Sa 8AM-noon. Cheap and cheerful 
  • Redwood Market, Redwood Tavern carpark, Cleghorn St, ☏ +64 3 578 9486. Sa 8AM-noon. Fruit, vegetables, flowers, plants, arts & crafts. Organised by the Rotary Club of Blenheim South. 

Eat

Budget
  • Figaro's, 8 Scott St, ☏ +64 3 577 7277. M–F 7:30AM–3:30PM, Sa 8:30AM–2PM, Su 8:30AM–1:30PM. Contemporary, stylish and informal for breakfast and lunch. $15–21. 
  • Sagai Japanese Restaurant, 35a High St, ☏ +64 3 579 4404. Lunch and dinner. 
  • Watery Mouth CafΓ©, 71 High St (cnr Seymour St, opp Seymour Square). Daily 7AM–4PM. $15–22. (updated Oct 2019)

Mid-range

Splurge

Drink

Wineries

Marlborough is one of the top wine-growing areas in New Zealand and famous for its sauvignon blanc. The region has over 35 cellar doors offering tastings for visitors to compare wines ranging from boutique family producers to well-recognised names.

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.

Bars
  • The Cornerstone Restaurant & Bar, 70 Queen St, ☏ +64 3 577 7555. M-Sa 10AM-1AM, Su 10AM-midnight. All things to all people? 
  • Dolce Bar and Restaurant, 11 Market St (Upstairs in the Forum), ☏ +64 3 577 8238. Pizza restaurant by day. Live DJs by night some weekends. 
  • Paddy Barry's Irish Bar, 51 Scott St, ☏ +64 3 578 7470. Every town has one. Quiz nights on Wednesdays. 

Sleep

Budget

Mid-range

Splurge

Connect

Internet

Post
  • Post Office, Cnr Scott & Main Sts, ☏ +64 3 578 3904. M-F 8:30AM-5:15PM, Sa 9:30AM-12:30PM. 

Go next
  • 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 township 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.
Routes through Blenheim
Picton ←  N  S  β†’ Seddon β†’ Kaikoura
Nelson ← Renwick ←  W  E  β†’ END


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