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The Marlborough district is located at the top of the South Island, and is New Zealand’s largest grape and wine producing region. Year-round sunshine, a spectacular coastline (including the Marlborough Sounds), make the region a must for visitors to New Zealand.
Marlborough District and The Marlborough Sounds As long time visitors to the region, we always look forward to returning to this stunning part of New Zealand. Located north of the Christchurch / Canterbury region, and east of the Tasman region 
, the Marlborough district is one of New Zealand's most beautiful.
With relatives at Picton, we have spent a lot of time over the years exploring the region, sampling its food and wine, and visiting the many attractions that it has to offer. The Marlborough Sounds are a series of spectacular waterways that weave and wander along the coastline on the north eastern edge of the South Island. Marlborough Sound’s calm, clear waters, forests, white beaches and coves are a paradise for those interested in hiking, mountain biking, sea kayaking or boating. Blenheim, with a population of 30,000 is the region’s largest town. It boasts the highest sunshine hours 
of any New Zealand town, and is a popular holiday destination and a good base from which to explore the region.
Picton, located around 25 kilometres from Blenheim, is a small picturesque port at the head of Queen Charlotte Sound, and is the South Island access point to the Inter Island Ferry which links the North and South islands, and is a perfect launching point for walking and water-based holidays in the Sounds. Both Blenheim and Picton have a wide range of accommodation. And if you are looking for a little luxury, why not indulge yourself at one of the regions luxury lodges such as the beautiful Bay of Many Coves , or the equally stunning Lochmara Lodge . Both lodges are nestled deep in the Marlborough Sounds and are accessible only by boat. Maori Culture / History in the Marlborough District Maori legend has it that the great Polynesian navigator Kupe formed the Marlborough Sounds. While fighting a giant octopus called Te Wheke, Kupe grabbed onto the South Island for support. As he did, 
his fingers gouged out the many bays and coves of the sounds. Eventually he defeated the octopus, split its body in two, cut out its eyes and threw them into the ocean.
The Maori people inhabited the region from the 12th century. Over time, the land was contested by different iwi (tribal groups), so today eight tribes are affiliated with the region as tangata whenua or ‘people of the land’. European influence can be traced back to 1770 when British explorer Captain James Cook arrived. European settlers were attracted by the rich coastline, and arrived in the early 1800s to establish whaling stations. They were followed by farmers and miners after the discovery of antimony in Endeavour Inlet. Food and Wine in the Marlborough District The region is home to over 100 vineyards which produce more than half New Zealand’s wine. The region is famous for it’s sauvignon blanc, but other varieties such as chardonnay, riesling, pinot noir, pinot gris and gewurztraminer are gaining increasing popularity worldwide. 
Many local winery restaurants offer locally-sourced food to go with their wines. Visitors can explore the vineyards on self-drive, bicycle or guided tours, and enjoy cellar door wine tastings or alfresco dining.
The deep, clean waters of the Marlborough Sounds provide ideal conditions for the farming of New Zealand green shell mussels, and the region produces 80 percent of New Zealand’s aquaculture exports such as king salmon, pacific oysters, paua (abalone), kingfish, and koura (crayfish). Nature and Wildlife The Sounds are noted for their beauty, and abundance of bird and marine life. If you are fortunate enough to take a cruise or guided sea kayaking trips in Queen Charlotte Sound, you may encounter dolphins, seals, 
whales, king shags and blue penguins in their natural environment. There are five dolphin species found in the sound including Hector’s, Dusky and bottlenose varieties.
The Marlborough district is also a bird-watching paradise. Predator-free Motuara Island bird sanctuary is home to rare and unique birds, including blue penguin, South Island saddleback, kereru, bellbird, kakariki (yellow-crowned parakeet), and South Island robin. Many seabirds, including a rare king shag found nowhere else in the world, nest on Marlborough’s offshore islands. Adventure / Outdoors in the Marlborough District Walking, mountain biking, sea kayaking and sailing are the best ways to experience the natural environment. 
The Queen Charlotte track, between Queen Charlotte and Kenepuru sounds, offers 67km of stunning views, contrasting land and seascapes, and wide variety of native bush and wildlife. Walkers can start or finish at any point along the way, but Ships Cove to Anikiwa is a popular choice.
Walking the complete Queen Charlotte Track can take three to five days, and mountain biking takes two to three days. Accommodation on the track ranges from cheap backpackers to luxury B&Bs serving fine food and award-winning wines. Pack transfers between accommodation providers let travellers enjoy the views unencumbered. Things To Do In The Marlborough District Here are a few suggestions: 
* Visit a winery - best to take an organised tour if you plan to sample a few wines,
* Take a guided cruise on the Marlborough Sounds, and learn about the local area and wildlife, * How about sampling the local seafood on a fishing charter?, * Cycle through the sounds on a guided mountain bike tour (you can even cycle the Queen Charlotte Track), 
* The region is home to dozens of walking tracks including the Queen Charlotte Track, * Fly over the region on a scenic flight, * Visit the EcoWorld aquarium in Picton, great fun for all the family, * Have some local fish and chips by the water, * Take a scenic drive through the sounds, * Swim with the dolphins, DID YOU KNOW * The region is home to New Zealand’s largest farm - 180,476ha Molesworth Station. * Marlborough Sounds has 1500km of coastline, or 10 percent of New Zealand's coast. * The king shag - one of the world's rarest birds - is only seen in the the Sounds. * The region contributes more than 60 percent of New Zealand's total wine production.
For more information on the Marlborough district, please click here to go to the Tourism New Zealand web site.
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