Marlborough is located at the top of the South Island. With direct flights from Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, visitors flying into Marlborough land at Marlborough Airport, just 7km from the centre of Blenheim. For those who want to arrive by water, the port town of Picton can be accessed by ferry on a scenic three-hour sailing from Wellington. Alternatively, visitors can travel by train up the coast from Christchurch.
Marlborough has 20% of New Zealand’s coastline and nearly 80% percent of its wine industry, stretched across our valleys.
The winding waterways of the beautiful Marlborough Sounds make for brilliant boating, fishing, water activities and wildlife viewing including dolphin watching. The iconic 72km Queen Charlotte Track can be explored by foot, mountain bike or sea kayak over one or several days.
There's an abundance of vineyards and cellar doors surrounding Blenheim, so explore the stunning Wairau Valley and discover why the world is in love with Marlborough wine. Driving through the golden hills and vineyards of the Awatere Valley, you'll find snow-capped mountains to one side and the blue Pacific Ocean on the other.
Whether it is an executive meeting overlooking the vines, a small conference down in the Marlborough Sounds or a larger conference at the purpose built Marlborough Events Centre or ASB Theatre Marlborough (or a combination of the two), Marlborough can cater for a range of conferences and business events. The WWII exhibition and function space at Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre also provides a unique off-site dinner option with the "wow" factor!
Blenheim and Picton offer a varied selection of accommodation for business events and incentive groups. There are more than 1000 rooms available in accommodation ranging from luxury lodges amongst the vines and nestled in the Sounds, to town-based hotels combining accommodation and conference facilities on the same premises.
Business Events Marlborough can advise you on the best choice for your group and also operates a bed bank to assist you with coordinating accommodation bookings.
Meet the people who make the wine, and experience a tailor-made wine tasting to sample Marlborough’s world-famous wines. Savour the taste of locally sourced produce and enjoy a private lunch or evening function at one of our outstanding winery restaurants.
Walk a section of the Queen Charlotte Track and marvel at the brilliant views, or experience the rush of mountain biking. Fish for your dinner in the deep waters of the outer Marlborough Sounds, or cruise the calm bays – try swimming with dolphins, or perhaps board Marlborough’s original farm to plate cruise experience, the Greenshell Mussel Cruise.
Ask us to guide you off the beaten track to reveal Marlborough’s hidden gems and unique experiences: ranging from the growing treasure trove of history at the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre, to a scenic flight by helicopter or vintage biplane enjoying a birds-eye view, or discover the landscapes and history of New Zealand’s largest high-country farm, the Molesworth Station.