• Marlborough Information Center, Blenheim Railway Station, SH1, ☎ 03 577 8080 (mvic@destinationmarlborough.com, fax: 03 577 8079), [11].  edit
• Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre, Aerodrome Rd (5kms from town, route sign-posted off SH6), ☎ 03 579 1305 (info@omaka.org.nz), [12]. Daily from 10-4pm. Collection of World War I planes lovingly restored and captured in realistic settings. Part of the attraction is the association of Peter Jackson (of Lord of the Rings fame) and weta workshop with the display. His team has turned what could be just a collection of planes into a drama which those with no interest in aviation or military history can enjoy. Worth it. NZ$18 (adult). Concessions available.  edit
• Marlborough Provincial Museum (Brayshaw Museum Park), Arthur Baker Place (off New Renwick Road), ☎ 03 578 1712 (info@marlboroughmuseum.org.nz, fax: 03 578 1739), [13]. Open daily 10AM - 4PM (except Good Friday & Christmas Day). There is a huge amount of artifacts and many displays which relate to the local history. Also houses "Beavertown" a replica "early Blenheim" village. Visit the audiovisual theater which shows both local and international history-oriented films.  edit
• Millennium Public Art Gallery, Seymour Square, ☎ 03 579 2001 (marlpublicart@xtra.co.nz, fax: 03 579 2162), [14]. Open 7 days. 10AM-5PM M-F. 12-4:30PM Sa, Su and some public holidays.. Entry by gold coin ($1 or $2) donation. Children free.  edit
• Catch the rugby at Landsdowne Park (one of the Tasman Makos stadiums), Landsdowne St, ☎ 03 578 4070 (tasmanmakos@tasmanrugby.co.nz), [15]. $12 - $35.  edit
• Pollard Park, off Parker St. Beautiful landscaping. Don't miss the roses and camellias.  edit
• Seymour Square, cnr High and Seymour Sts. See the formal gardens.  edit

By train

TranzCoastal, +64 4 495 0775 (email bookings@tranzscenic.co.nz , fax +64 4 472 8903 , Freephone 0800 TRAINS (0800 872 467) (NZ only)), [1]. Open 7.00AM - 7.00PM 7 days. The railway station is on Grove Road. Train service operates daily between Christchurch and Picton via Blenheim and Kaikoura. There are stunning views with the Kaikoura mountains on one side and the Pacific Ocean on the other. It leaves Christchurch at 7:30AM, arrives at Blenheim at 12:20PM and Picton at 12:50PM. The train leaves Picton at 1:40PM, arrives at Blenheim at 2:10PM and Christchurch at 7:00PM.

By bus

There a bus company[2] and two shuttle bus companies[3][4] traveling Picton-Christchurch return or Picton-Nelson return all of which pass through Blenheim. The bus will drop you off in the railway station, which is also the information centre. The centre of town is south-west from the railway station. If you want to walk into town from the station, cross State Highway 1 at the southern end of the carpark. The river 40m further marks the beginning of the central business district. Nelson Lakes ShuttlesRichmond Ranges as well as other tramping destinations further afield.

By car

A short 20 minute drive south on State Highway 1 from Picton which is the home of the terminal for the inter-island ferry service from Wellington. From Nelson, Blenheim is 1 1/2 hours east, travelling via Havelock (30 minutes) and Renwick (10 minutes) on State Highway 6. State Highway 62 runs north east from St Arnaud (1 1/4 hours), Murchison (2 hours) and Westport (3 1/2 hours) From the south, State Highway 1 takes you from Christchurch (4 hours), Kaikoura (1 1/2 hours) and Seddon (15 minutes)

By plane

Blenheim has a small airport at Woodbourne that has regular services from Paraparaumu (just north of Wellington)[7]. The airport is 10 minutes from Blenheim and 4 minutes from Renwick. Commuter aircraft also fly from Picton airport[8], 15 minutes from town.

There is limited public transport in Blenheim which is of no real use to travelers[9]. The centre of town and most accommodation is within easy walking distance. Vineyards and other attractions further afield will require transport. For those without the inclination to bike or without a car, taxis or a tour are the most practical options.

• Neal Shuttle Bus, ☎ 03 577 5277. Often meets planes at the airport. Is happy to arrange a wine trail. Seats 10 (but takes single rides too).  edit
• Marlborough Taxis Ltd, ☎ 03 577 5511.  edit
• Gateway Taxis, ☎ 03 577 2072.  edit
• Wine Tours By Bike, Argrove Lodge, 191 Bells Rd (Pick-up can be arranged from your accommodation), ☎ 03 5776954 (info@winetoursbybike.co.nz), [10]. $40 (4 hours), $55 (8 hours).  edit

• Little Fish Studios, 16 Wynen St, ☎ 03 577 7375. Local artists retail pottery, sculpture and wall art, some with a sense of humour. Reasonable prices.  edit
• Marlborough Farmers Market, A&P Park, cnr Maxwell Rd and Alabama Road, ☎ 03 579 3599 or 03 575 7697 (manager@mfm.co.nz, fax: 03 579 3598 or 03 575 7698), [20]. Every Sunday between 9-Noon, November - May. Boutique local growers, live music and $6 breakfasts cooked by local chefs. Quality coffee.  edit
• Bookworld, 67 Market St, ☎ 03 578 4909. Independent retailer with good selection of novels, non-fiction titles and travel literature. Good selection of local books. Carries the Guardian Weekly and Die Spiegel.  edit
• Perrys Book & Map Shop, 4 Arthur St, ☎ 03 578 3195. Another good option for books.  edit
• Thomas's, 54 Market Street, ☎ 03 578 6369 (office@thomass.co.nz, fax: 03 578 6367), [21]. A department store, almost incongruous for a smaller town. Large selection of quality (and highly priced) men's, woman's and homewear.  edit
• New World Supermarket, 1 Freswick St (From the post office walk west, past the police station, over the roundabout/railway tracks. On your right.), ☎ 03 520 9030 (blenheim@newworld-si.co.nz), [22]. 8am-9pm, 7 days a week. Notable for a selection of local wines, dare I say it often cheaper than at the cellar door.  edit
• Gillan Gallery, Grove Rd (Diagonally opposite the Blenheim Railway Station), ☎ 03 579 4604.  edit
• Blenheim Rotary Car Boot Sale, Grove Road (Public carpark by railway station), ☎ 03 578 5735. Every Saturday, 8am - 12noon. Cheap and cheerful  edit
• Redwood Market, Redwood Tavern carpark, Cleghorn St, ☎ 03 578 9486. Every Saturday, 8am - 12noon. Fruit, vegetables, flowers, plants, arts & crafts, Organised by the Rotary Club of Blenheim South  edit

Formal Dining

• Herzog Winery and Restaurant, 81 Jeffries Rd, ☎ 03 572 8770, [23]. A 5 star experience. Multi-award winning dining. October to May, from 7pm Tuesday to Sunday  edit
• Hotel d’Urville, 52 Queen Street, ☎ 03 577 9945, [24]. Fine dining in central Blenheim. Contemporary cuisine in a classic building.  edit

Casual Dining

• Black Creek Pizzeria & Boutique Brewery, 1 Dodson Street, ☎ 03 577 8348.  edit
• Roccos Italian Restaurant, 5 Dodson St, ☎ 03 578 6940. Very popular Authentic Italian. Fresh pasta, with seafood a speciality.  edit

Lunch

• Figaro's, 8 Scott Street, ☎ 03 577 7277. Contemporary and stylish.  edit
• Giorgio's, cnr High and Seymour Sts, ☎ 03 579 1458. Park views from upstairs windows.  edit

Ethnic food

• Plaza India Blenheim, 22 Alfred Street, ☎ 03 577 8781.  edit
• Sagai Japanese Restaurant, 35a High Street, ☎ 03 579 4404.  edit

Kiwiana

• The Top Spot, 35 High St, ☎ 03 578 3325. If you hanker for retro New Zealand food, the Top Spot has a menu which shouts timewarp and enough chrome furniture to require sunglasses. Will probably have a bottle of cold duck if you ask.  edit

Marlborough is one of the top wine growing areas in New Zealand. A free map [25] is available from visitor information centres. Some of the wineries in the area are:

• Highfield Estate, Brookby Rd, ☎ 03 572 9244 (naomi@highfield.co.nz, fax: 03 572 9257), [26]. 10.30am to 5pm, 7 days. The tower at the winery has a commanding view over the lower Wairau River. A great place to get your bearings.  edit
• Seresin Estate, Bedford Rd (Travel west of Renwick on State Highway 6 for a short distance, turn right (north) into Bedford Rd and then left (west) into the vineyard), ☎ 03 572 9408 (info@seresin.co.nz, fax: 03 572 9850), [27]. On a terrace with views over Condors Bend and the Richmond Ranges beyond, this organic vineyard produces premium quality wine and olive oil.  edit
• Villa Maria, corner of Paynters & New Renwick Roads, +64 3 577 9530, (email enquiries@villamaria.co.nz, fax +64 3 577 9585), [28]. The Cellar Shop is open 7 days 10AM to 5PM; May - October 11AM to 5PM. One of NZ's top award winning wineries. Complimentary wine tasting. Winery tours by appointment.
• Hunters Wines, Rapaura Rd, +64 3 572-8489, (email wine@hunters.co.nz, fax +64 3 572-8457, FreePhone 0800 486 837 (NZ only)), [29]. Won over 80 gold medals including the Marquis de Goulaine Trophy for Best Sauvignon Blanc in the World at the 1992 International Wine & Spirit Competition. There is also a restaurant and a native garden.
• Cloudy Bay, Jacksons Rd, +64 3 520 9140, (email info@cloudybay.co.nz, fax + 64 3 520 9040), [30]. Open daily (except Good Friday and Christmas Day) 10.00AM - 4.30PM for tastings and cellar door sales. Known for its Sauvignon Blanc and sparkling wines.
• Montana (Brancott Winery), RD4 Riverlands (State Highway One), +64 3 578 2099, (email marlwinery@montanawines.co.nz, fax +64 3 578 0463), [31]. Numerous awards including gold at the London International Wine Challenge 2003. Number one selling NZ wine company. The multi-million dollar visitor facility has a restaurant, retail store and the Brancott Theater. Winery tours 10AM to 3PM daily. Cellar door sales 9AM to 5PM on Monday to Sunday.
• Nautilus, 12 Rapaura Rd, +64 3 572 9364, (email sales@nautilusestate.com, fax +64 3 572 9374), [32]. Cellar door sales and tasting Summer 10AM - 5PM. Winter 10.30AM - 4.30PM. Known for its Cuvee NV.

In recent years, Blenheim's drinking scene has diversified:

• The Cornerstone Restaurant & Bar, 70 Queen St, ☎ 03 577 7555. Mon - Sat 10:00am - 1:00am, Sun 10:00am - 0:00am. All things to all people?  edit
• The Suave Jazz & Blues Bar/Cafe, 67 Queen St, ☎ 03 577 8238. Winner of the regional informal category in the 10th Monteith's Beer & Wild Food challenge with a tasty Shank Pie.  edit
• Kokomo Beach Bar, 4/76 Market St, ☎ 03 578 0941. The only night club. Previously named Goat's Don't Shave and Level 42. Still a cultural experience.  edit
• Paddy Barry's Irish Bar, 51 Scott Street, ☎ 03 578 7470. Every town has one. Quiz nights on a Wednesday.  edit