Blenheim City Guide
As the most populous town in New Zealand's Marlborough region, Blenheim is also home to the country's biggest wine region. It has also been named New Zealand's "sunniest town" based on the number of hours of sun recorded!
More than two dozen wineries call Blenheim home, but the most famous is Cloudy Bay. This winery received worldwide recognition for creating the Sauvignon Blanc that New Zealand is famous for. As an added benefit, Cloudy Bay is only a few kilometres from the centre of town.
They may not get as much attention as the wine, but Blenheim's strawberries are some of the best in the world. That's why more than 14,000 people stop off at Hedgerows every year. You can also get freshly-made ice cream and yoghurt while you're there.
If you like mussels, then Blenheim is the place to be. The Marlborough region has an active mussel farming industry, and a few of the farms are located right in Blenheim.
One of Blenheim's most relaxing places is Pollard Park. Located right near the middle of town, Pollard Park offers a quiet respite from the rest of the hustle and bustle. Inside, you'll find rose gardens, ducks, a golf course, and a walking trail. During the summer, the park is also home to a concert series.
If you're in Blenheim in March or April, you can catch the Forrest Grape Ride, a 101 km cycling circuit that goes through Blenheim and the rest of the Marlborough region. Some of the riders even get to tread grapes that will be turned into wine for next year's ride!
You'll find most of the hotels in Blenheim along Nelson Street and High Street. Both streets are centrally-located, but if you want to be close to Pollard Park, stay along Nelson Street.