Marlborough, situated at the top of the South Island, just a magnificent 3 hour ferry trip from Wellington is a very popular visitor destination.The largest town in the Marlborough region is Blenheim.
Blenheim's varied attractions include its wine industry, the waterways of the Marlborough Sounds, adventure activities, several fine restaurants focusing on local food and wine, a stylish public art gallery, a museum and colonial village, glorious public gardens, as well as theatres and cinemas.
It is New Zealand's largest producer of wine with 65 wineries, 290 grape growers and 4,054 hectares in grape production. Of the numerous vineyards in the area, about 30 are open to visitors, offering tastings and tours of the property; many have a cafe or restaurant on site. Sauvignon Blanc is the region's specialty, but wines made with Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes are also highly acclaimed. Wine trail maps make it easy to find your way around the vineyards or use a local wine expert to arrange a personalized full day wine tour.
For those requiring something a little more active, there are also walking and cycling trails in the Wither Hills Farm Park just to the south.
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