Marlborough

Blenheim sits in a bowl of light. Hills roll out like corduroy, rows of vines run to the horizon, and the air smells faintly of cut grass and sea. People come for Sauvignon Blanc and leave talking about everything else—river trails, beach days, aviation history you didn’t see coming, and food that’s as fresh as the stories at the cellar door. It’s the kind of place that slows your shoulders, then fills your days without trying too hard.

Picton is more than a ferry stop—it’s where the South Island eases you into the Marlborough Sounds and everything slows to the rhythm of tides. Tucked into a sheltered harbour with bushy hills rising on all sides, this little town deals in blue-green water, native birdsong, and days that feel full without ever feeling rushed. Come for the crossing; stay for the coves, the coastal tracks, and a plate of fresh seafood as the light goes gold over moored yachts. Here’s how to do Picton properly—no rush, just good choices.

Imagine a maze of deep, green bays and forested ridgelines stitched together by glassy water. Dolphins arc beside boats, shags dry their wings on sunlit rocks, and hidden coves wait just around the next headland. That’s the Marlborough Sounds—Queen Charlotte, Kenepuru, and Pelorus—a place where you can move as slowly or as boldly as you like and be rewarded either way. Here’s how to turn a good visit into a great one.