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.

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) and Christchurch.

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.

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
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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.



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.