Marlborough (Te Tau Ihu), New Zealand
 A
world of wine and sunshine
For centuries, Marlborough has offered safe harbour to
travellers. First to Maori traders and war parties; then to European explorers,
such as Captain James Cook and Dumont D’Urville; and now to visitors
seeking new landscapes and rejuvenating experiences.
If you arrive in the region by sea or air, the intricate
detail of the Marlborough Sounds engages your interest immediately. Maori
legend describes the entire South Island as Maui’s waka (canoe),
wrecked on a reef during a fishing expedition. The shattered bow of the
canoe became the Sounds.
Marlborough basks in year-round sunshine, providing perfect
conditions for walking, mountain biking, sea kayaking and vineyard explorations.
It’s a region where you can pick a theme and follow it through.
Focus your itinerary on outdoor adventures, vineyards and wineries, arts
and crafts, history and gardens or marine pursuits. Better still, mix
them up and experience a little of everything this beautiful region has
to offer.
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| Each
year the route of the Southern Traverse is designed
to suit the region that is hosting it. Modes of travel
– by foot, bike, kayak or rope – depend
on the nature of the terrain. When the event was held
in Queenstown in 2001, the whitewater kayaking sections
were particularly memorable. |
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Photo
by Chris McLennan (www.cmphoto.co.nz) |
| Click
on the image for larger version |
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Key Features
Vines and wines.
Marlborough is New Zealand’s largest grape-growing and wine-making
region. The broad, sweeping plains are home to about 70 wineries. Discover
and enjoy on a self-drive, bicycle or guided tour.
The Marlborough Sounds. Bordered by
forest that rises almost vertically from the water’s edge, three
drowned river valleys offer 1500 kilometres of sheltered beaches and waterways
for sailing, cruising, kayaking, fishing and diving.
Queen Charlotte Track. This spectacular
walking track winds through 71 kilometres of native forest, along ridges
and beside idyllic coves. Travel with a local guide to learn about the
habitat and hear the local Maori legends.
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