15 Marlborough Tours Worth Rearranging a Day For

1.Queen Charlotte Sound Mail Boat Cruise from Picton

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 541 reviews · 4 hours · from $75Our pick

Cruise Queen Charlotte Sound on a working mail boat, spotting wildlife, meeting remote residents, and learning local history from your skipper.

“Absolutely fantastic, my hat goes off to Dylan as he is an outstanding ambassador for the sounds and your business. Further, the way that he handled a very abusive customer was exceptional; i hope that you don’t ever allow that person back on one of your vessels as his behaviour on exiting the vessel was completely unnecessary.”

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2.Beyond the Vines – Full-Day Marlborough Wine Tasting Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 438 reviews · from $136Top rated

Review of the six-hour Marlborough wine tour from Picton or Blenheim, with five wineries, small groups, tastings, lunch, and practical tips.

“An exceptional day with tour guide Gavin. He was outstanding and really made the day with our family. The tour was comfortable, giving us time when we needed it and unpretentious if you are new to wine. Gavin really made the day with our group!”

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3.Coastal Pacific Train Journey from Picton to Christchurch

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 345 reviews · from $164

Review the Coastal Pacific from Picton to Christchurch, with Pacific views, Kaikoura scenery, practical tips, pricing, and honest drawbacks.

“A wonderful way to experience the best of East coast South Island. Relaxing, beautiful and comfortable.”

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4.Full Day Iconic Mail Boat Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 321 reviews · from $86

Review the Pelorus Mail Boat Cruise in Marlborough Sounds, with wildlife, remote homes, local stories, practical tips, price advice, and honest drawbacks.

“All round this was a really neat day trip. Stunning scenery, very interesting hearing about the local area’s. You have 3 options for lunch, 1/ take your own lunch and sit, swim in the lovely bay, 2/ Farm tour, with own lunch. I choose this option. I thought it was super interesting. 3/ Restaurant for lunch, where I heard had delicious food and beverages.”

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5.Self-Guided Wine Tours by Bike with Lorelle & Greg

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 304 reviews · from $43

Ride quiet roads between Marlborough wineries on a self-guided bike tour with local advice, wine panniers, shuttle service, and flexible tasting stops.

“Just the most amazing way to see the local wine cellar doors. Lorelle and Greg are fantastic hosts and they really know how to put you at ease even if you haven’t ridden a bike for a while. Don’t think about it, just do it. We were picked up froRead more”

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6.Queen Charlotte Sound Mail Boat Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 295 reviews · from $75

Cruise Queen Charlotte Sound on a working mail boat, visit remote coves, spot wildlife, and see how isolated communities receive supplies.

“My partner & I enjoyed the cruise. The day started off cloudy in the morning but it was lovely & sunny for the afternoon cruise. It was good to go to different bays/coves delivering the mail with good commentary too. Took a lot of nice photos & videos of the beautiful scenery”

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7.Full Day Winemakers Tour in Marlborough

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 285 reviews · from $133

Explore Marlborough’s wineries on a small-group tour with tastings, vineyard lunch, cellar insights, chocolate, and optional craft beer.

“Excellent tour by Darlene, very knowledgeable and brought us to many great wineries with friendly wine makers as well as a chocolate shop”

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8.Marlborough Sounds and Ship Cove Cruise from Picton

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 252 reviews · 3 hours · from $66

Cruise Queen Charlotte Sound from Picton to historic Ship Cove, with live commentary, wildlife chances, and stunning Marlborough scenery.

“Nice little trip. Informative guide. Plenty of time to explore.”

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9.InterIslander Ferry – Picton to Wellington

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 247 reviews · from $58

Review the InterIslander ferry from Picton to Wellington, with scenic Cook Strait views, baggage rules, onboard facilities, costs, and booking tips.

“Unfortunately it was very cold, windy and overcast on the day we sailed so we had to sit inside. So didn't get to experience the beautiful views and scenery.”

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10.Marlborough: Full-Day Self-Guided Biking Wine Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 221 reviews · 1 day · from $41Best value

Cycle Marlborough’s flat wine country at your own pace, with bike hire, hotel transfers, a useful wine map, and up to 12 nearby wineries.

“Roo was a fantastic driver/bicycle set up & tour/map guide! Even though it was cold and rainy, we had a great time, got some exercise and drank good wine. 🍷 Cheers!!”

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11.Self-Guided Biking Wine Tour (full day) in the Marlborough Region.

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 206 reviews · from $43

Cycle Marlborough’s flat vineyard roads on a self-guided wine tour with hotel pickup, bike choice, local tips, and free bottle collection.

“A very good way to do the tastings. pre-Bookings at vineyards just needed for lunch or at Cloudy Bay and Fromm.”

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12.Discover Marlborough Wine – Afternoon Marlborough Wine Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 200 reviews · from $117

Review of Marlborough Wine’s half-day tour from Picton or Blenheim, with four wineries, tastings, small groups, guide tips, and practical advice.

“My wife and I departed Picton. Vehicle arrived punctually and we met Keith our guide. As a grape grower Keith was able to talk from experience about the wine industry, viticulture and share views about wine making. He kindly went out of his way to explain cane vs spur pruning. The wineries we visited gave a great experience. We enjoyed the 5 1/2 hours thoroughly. Good wine, conversion and learning. Only suggestion for the wineries was maybe a few little crackers or some type of food would have balanced the wine consumption.”

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13.Motuara Wildlife Sanctuary Tour and Dolphin Cruise from Picton

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 180 reviews · from $104

Cruise Queen Charlotte Sound, spot dolphins and seals, and walk Motuara Island sanctuary on a guided half-day tour from Picton.

“Highly recommend this trip. The staff were very friendly and knowledgeable. They knew where the best viewing sites were and we were able to see all the wildlife that we expected, which was amazing to see. The hot drink and wine offered on the way back was an added bonus.”

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14.The Hobbit Barrel Run Rafting Tour on the Pelorus River

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 167 reviews · from $133

Paddle the Pelorus River past Hobbit film sites, learn local history, and enjoy a guided barrel-run adventure from Havelock.

“We had a great time kayaking! Jade was a wonderful guide. There is a shower and hair dryer available if you decide to swim. I would definitely recommend!”

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15.Picton Cruise Ship Shore Excursion Marlborough Wine Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 165 reviews · from $155

Review of Jade Tours’ Picton Marlborough wine trip, with four to five wineries, chocolates, small groups, lunch advice, and cruise timing tips.

“Very interesting tour. We learnt a lot about the region, particularly the wine making industry. We visited four wineries and a chocolate shop. Our guide Lucinda was informative, well organised and fun! Highly recommend this tour.”

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