There’s something so magical about driving through green, golden yellow and red grapevines in Autumn—the shoulder season being much quieter than the bustling summer months. Then again, you’re guaranteed a great time in Marlborough whatever the season. From a kaimoana-filled cruise through the picturesque Marlborough Sounds (complete with BBQ boat-side), to trekking through the famous Queen Charlotte Track—Marlborough is just a short flight from Tāmaki Makaurau and makes for one helluva way to escape the daily grind.
Here’s where to eat, play and stay in Marlborough.
Where To Eat In Marlborough
Image credit: Harvest Restaurant | Vicki Young
Jump off the plane and head straight to the award-winning Harvest Restaurant for a late lunch. Located inside the beautiful Marlborough Boutique Hotel, this ex-convent transformed into a luxury accomodation site by Angela Dillon who purchased the space in 2016. With floor to ceiling glass panels that open up to a wraparound deck and lush green gardens, you can’t help but perch yourself out in the sun with a glass of wine in hand—and a glass of sav at that. The climate of Marlborough makes for a signature Sauvignon Blanc, the region famously known for those crisp, tropical flavours.
Feast on juicy Mills Bay mussels (the literal size of your palm) and ribbons of courgette from the dedicated restaurant garden. Soil-engineer turned gardener Santiago is the guardian of Harvest’s spell-binding veg garden—filled with nasturtiums, cornflowers, and massive figs alongside rainbow chard and orange pops of pumpkin. Grown largely from seed-saving and sourced especially for the chefs in the kitchen who use the produce on the daily, it’s a real labour of love from garden to plate.
The feasting doesn’t stop there. If you happen to be staying at the Hotel, head to the ex-Chapel turned bar in the gardens where Macey our talented Host is shaking things up—of the cocktail variety. Hotel guests here are treated to complimentary chapel-themed cocktails and canapés created by Executive Chef Weiland Matzig and his talented crew at golden hour. You won’t go to bed hungry that’s for sure, and I highly recommend you stay for breakfast too—with all the flaky pastry, fresh fruit and eggs made to whatever way tickles your fancy.
Image credit: Herb + Olive | Vicki Young
But that’s not all the brekkie options. Herb + Olive owned by the Barton family in Blenheim town centre is a popular go-to for the regulars. Across the road from the weekend markets, it’s the perfect place to grab a coffee and a bite before starting your weekend. Veggies on the menu are sourced from the family gardens in Brancott Valley and they bring a zero-waste philosophy, making their own seeded bread in-house—plus the cheese scones, which are a firm favourite with the locals. Tip: Make sure you get them toasted with butter.
Image credit: Small Town Winery | Vicki Young
I love an all-day graze, and Small Town Winery doesn’t hold back. Home to Astrolabe Wines, this warm and artsy fit-out feels like you’ve transported somewhere truly special. Enter their sun-soaked cellar door that opens up onto the street—humming with wine tastings, a spot for coffee and a book, and the perfect space for drinks and bites with friends. You can’t help but spend all day here soaking up the good vibes well into the golden hour glow. Dreamy plates are piled with shavings and wedges of NZ cheese alongside A Lady Butcher charcuterie, slithers of juicy charred peppers, and lemony butter beans with your next obsession—a salivating drop of Albariño.
Image credit: Frank's Oyster Bar & Eatery | Vicki Young
Kick on for dinner and fun banter with the staff at Frank’s. Chef-owner and Blenheim local Sam Webb returned to Blenheim after 20 odd years cooking tasty bites overseas to set up this flavour sensation back home. It’s the perfect place for date night or group celebrations—with a dedicated family style table at the back by the open kitchen. Soft grey banquette seating and rendered concrete floor gives chic industrial vibes, setting the scene for the plates (and cracker service) that comes out fast, hot and flavoursome—pillow-soft potato rolls, grilled oysters, punchy XO Cloudy Bay clams and shatteringly crisp potato wedges. Don’t forget a couple of tangy cocktails to match—like their smoky, lip-smacking, tajin spiced Mezcal number.
Image credit: Arbour | Vicki Young
For dining amongst the vines, treat yourself to a degustation dinner of dreams at Arbour—a sole chef experience created by Chef-owner Bradley Hornby with business partner and co-owner Liz Buttimore. The six course feast is thoughtfully prepared with local produce from their gardens and local suppliers. Everything on the menu is hyper-local, including with everyone pitching in at the restaurant. Local fisherman Troy’s hapuka was prepared three ways and dressed with sun-kissed tomatoes grown by Bradley’s partner Michelle.
Where To Stay In Marlborough
Image credit: Marlborough Boutique Hotel | Vicki Young
The Marlborough Boutique Hotel is the place for those who really want to make their backyard getaway a memorable one. Housing only ten rooms, this is such a dreamy and intimate space for the perfect romantic getaway—and also for those who want an ultra-personalised experience of what the region has to offer. Complete with activities across their 16 acre property, including their own vineyard on site (carefully looked after under the guidance of Tamra Kelly, a.k.a. the wine whisperer of Kelly Washington Wines). This Hotel really has something for everyone, with a private heated outdoor pool amongst the large trees, a flower garden to supply blooms to the rooms and a relaxing native plant trail. It’s the perfect forest bath before you relax in your own private bath in your lush room, complete with local bath salts and candles.
Where To Play In Marlborough
Image credit: Explore Marlborough | Vicki Young
What’s a trip to Marlborough without a bike ride through the vines? Head to The Vines Village, where Kat and her team from Explore Marlborough run guided bike tours through the vineyards. Jump on an e-bike and zoom through the autumn vines. If you’re here during harvest season, you might be lucky enough to see a tractor and truck harvesting grapes in action. Return to the Village for a Cheese and Cheers platter afterwards, because nothing quite compares to a spot of Aotearoa whisky and cheese post-bike ride. For those who are after another sort of tipple, stop off at Elemental Distillers and sample the award-winning gin at The Roots Gin Shack + Tasting Room. With the World’s Best London Dry Gin in 2023, get ready for some seriously good stuff.
Image credit: Vicki Young
Make a day drip over to Picton from Blenheim. A short 25 minute drive away, park up by the wharf and jump on the local water taxi to find the best views of the inner Sounds. Speed through the beautiful blue and to the entrance of Kaipūpū Sanctuary within minutes. Looked after by volunteers, this sanctuary is predator-free and a nesting home for kororā (the little blue penguin). Enjoy a short walk uphill to breathtaking views of the shimmering sounds and rolling green hills.
Grab yourself a next-level toastie at Toastie Lords (home to the ultimate cheese-pull) post-walk, and save room for the Seafood Odyssea Cruise. Including expert commentary (and navigation) from our captain, we saw streams of jellyfish, a mussel farm project from the local college and historic homes living off-the-grid around the bays. Just when you think the captain has done it all, he anchors the boat and comes down to start the on-board barbecue—grilling fresh fillets of Marlborough Salmon (crispy skin and all), while the crew steam a boat load of fresh mussels. Parked up in the Sounds with a wine in hand, it’s the ultimate kaimoana lover’s paradise.
Image credit: Punga Cove Resort | Vicki Young
Adventure seekers, get ready to turn the dial up a notch and make a (water taxi) beeline for Punga Cove. Zip through the sounds with the sea spray blasting through your hair. Arriving at a very serene Punga Cove, you can really switch off here with no reception. Punga Cove Resort is home to those who are on the Queen Charlotte Track or like me, just in need of a digital detox getaway. A tick off the NZ must-walk list, this track takes up to five days to complete with DOC camping sites along the way, plus a few luxury stays like this one. Stopping by this Marlborough institution is a real treat, complete with restaurant, beachfront bar and your very own cottage to watch the sunrise and sunset amongst the native trees and birdsong before continuing on with your hike.
Main Image Credit: Kaipūpū Sanctuary Lookout | Vicki Young
Hungry for more? Check out:
- More recs for Blenheim’s best restaurants to feast at
- Eat your way down to Queenstown with our best picks
- Where to Eat, Play and Stay in Otago
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