Wine, Food, Scenery & Relaxation: A Weekend in Marlborough
As you relax in the sun, admiring views of sparkling sea and lush native bush while sipping a glass of Marlborough wine alongside a platter of fresh local seafood, you feel that satisfying glow of achievement that’s because you’ve just walked to Furneaux Lodge along the Queen Charlotte Track in the Marlborough Sounds, a place so secluded that no roads lead to where you are.
Having left Picton this morning on a water taxi, you cruised to Ship Cove/Meretoto, where Captain James Cook once anchored his ships, before hitting the track for five amazing hours.
From Furneaux, you have so much choice. Your boat may pick you up today for the trip back to Picton, or you may stay at the lodge and ensconce yourself in a hammock strung between the tree ferns, do early morning yoga on a paddle board balanced on the calm Endeavour Inlet, take a kayak and explore, or just… relax.
Tomorrow you might carry on to beautiful Punga Cove or perhaps the luxurious Bay of Many Coves, or you can catch the boat back to reality – and maybe a wine tour?
Welcome to Marlborough – a region of endless variety, stunning natural beauty, incredible wine and food and an abundance of choice, all totally doable in one amazing weekend.
Your weekend could start in the region’s north, on the stunning 72km Queen Charlotte Track. With its diverse scenery, from ancient native forests to hidden beaches and coves to epic skyline views, each day of the track offers something new.
Conveniently, you can walk or mountainbike as much or as little as you like. Water transfer companies Cougar Line and Beachcomber offer daily cruises from Picton’s Town Wharf to several points along the track, and also lunch cruises to Marlborough Sounds lodges: A great way to experience the very best of the Sounds in a shorter timeframe. After a scenic morning cruise through the calm waters of Queen Charlotte Sound/Tōtaranui, passing hidden bays and inlets, you’ll be dropped off for a sumptuous gourmet or casual waterside lunch at your choice of Furneaux Lodge, Punga Cove, Bay of Many Coves or Portage (the latter from 1 October 2020), then picked up that afternoon.
You could even walk a section of the Queen Charlotte Track first, with lunch as your reward – check the cruise schedules for options.
In Pelorus/Te Hoiere Sound, the Pelorus Mail Boat – which like Beachcomber is a real working mail boat providing a unique local experience of Marlborough Sounds life – departs daily from Havelock for a full-day tour, stopping at The Lodge at Te Rawa for lunch on selected days.
On this quieter side of the Sounds, several lodges are accessible by windy roads, but by sea is faster, and smoother, on a limited time schedule.
Of course, it’s important to leave time to explore Marlborough’s other main and unmissable drawcard – wine.
New Zealand’s largest wine producing region lives and breathes all things wine, including its celebrated flagship sauvignon blancs, but has many more exquisite varieties best discovered at the source.
There are over 30 cellar doors to choose from, from the most iconic labels to boutique, which you can tour with a selection of local guides, or pop in independently while staying in accommodation between the vines or in Blenheim.
Besides the obvious benefit of having a driver, a guided wine tour provides local, behind-the-scenes knowledge and personal contacts in the wine industry that will enhance your experience. Chat with a winemaker, taste something totally new, and learn more about this fascinating industry from those who know it best.
To mix up your wine tastings with some exercise and fresh air, do a wine tour by bike or e-bike. Join a guided cycle tour, or just take a map – either way, the slower pace is sure to leave a lasting impression of Marlborough’s stunning scenery as you pedal past the vineyard rows.
While you’re tasting your way through Marlborough, don’t forget the local seafood, best enjoyed while cruising the very waters where it’s grown. Join the Seafood Odyssea cruise from Picton or the Greenshell Mussel Cruise from Havelock to taste freshly steamed Greenshell mussels, Regal salmon and wild Cloudy Bay Clams, perfectly matched with Marlborough sauvignon blanc, while cruising past aquaculture farms located among stunning scenery.
Running short of time, but want to make the most of Marlborough’s delicious food and wine? A great option is the Marlborough Icons Tour which visits wineries in the morning, takes you to a delicious Marlborough Sounds waterfront lunch, then embarks on a relaxing seafood cruise through Queen Charlotte Sound/Tōtaranui in the afternoon, all without rushing.
And there’s so much more, from the beautiful wild Pacific coast to the snow-capped mountains and emerald rivers – it’s probably best to book your next Marlborough weekend before you leave.
