After the Wellington Marathon: Marlborough and the Sounds

The Route: Wellington → Picton → Blenheim → Picton → Wellington Logistics: Two operators run ferries across Cook Strait between Wellington and Picton, and the crossing takes about three and a half hours. Sailings can be delayed or cancelled in rough weather, and the strait is known for it. Book flexible fares where possible and check each operator's terms. From Picton, Blenheim is about 30 minutes by road, and a hire car is the easiest way to see the wine country. Marathon Month: July Duration: 3 nights

Wellington ──(about 3 hr 30 mins by ferry)──> Picton ──(about 30 mins by road)──> Blenheim
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Wellington <──(ferry, about 3 hr 30 mins)── Picton <──(about 30 mins by road)───────┘

The Wellington Marathon finishes on a Sunday in July, and a Cook Strait ferry the next morning turns a sore-legged Monday into a day of sitting still with a view. The Interislander and Bluebridge ferries leave from terminals a short taxi ride from the CBD. The crossing passes through Tory Channel and the Queen Charlotte Sound, a drowned river valley of steep, bush-covered ridges, and the last hour is a slow glide into Picton.

July in Marlborough: winter. Marlborough is one of New Zealand's sunniest regions, and July days are often clear and cold, with frosts overnight. Daytime temperatures are typically around 12 to 14°C. The Cook Strait crossing is a different matter, and winter southerlies can raise a heavy swell. If you are prone to seasickness, take tablets before boarding.

Night One: Picton

Picton is a small harbour town at the head of the sound, and the waterfront is flat and easy to walk. A slow stroll along the foreshore takes about 20 minutes. The Edwin Fox Maritime Museum holds a preserved 19th century sailing ship, one of the oldest surviving merchant vessels in the world, so check the opening hours before you go. Cafés and restaurants line the main street, and winter hours are shorter.

For a bed, Picton has a range of hotels, motels and backpacker lodges, and the waterfront is the most convenient area to stay. Book early.

Nights Two and Three: Blenheim and the Wine Country

Blenheim is about 30 minutes south of Picton by road, and it is the centre of Marlborough's wine industry. Sauvignon blanc made this region famous, and the cellar doors around Renwick and Rapaura are open through the year, though some have reduced winter hours. Check each one before you set out. A seated tasting suits tired legs, and many have restaurants attached. Do not drive after tasting, and consider a driver or a small-group tour.

Blenheim itself is flat, with a small centre and a tree-lined park called Seymour Square. The Marlborough Museum on the edge of town is a level, indoor option for a wet afternoon.

The Marlborough Sounds have walking tracks of all lengths, including the famous Queen Charlotte Track, but these are steep and better saved for later. If you want to see the sounds without walking, water taxis and cruises run from Picton, though winter services are limited. Check availability and weather before you commit.

More Time in the Sounds

If the weather is clear and you are keen to see the Sounds from the water, several operators offer cruises from Picton that call at bays and pass seabird colonies and, with luck, dolphins. Winter services are reduced, so book ahead and check the schedule. A cruise is mostly sitting, which suits tired legs. Bring a warm layer, since the wind on the water is cold.

The coastal roads around Picton offer views over the water without a long walk. The Snout Track and the Tirohanga Track are short walks near Picton that gain a modest height, but both are best saved for legs that are fully recovered. Check the conditions at the i-SITE in the town centre.

Wine, Slowly

A serious tasting day around Blenheim can involve several stops, so a driver or a small-group tour is worth the cost. Many cellar doors serve food, and a long, slow lunch is a sensible way to see the region. The Wairau Valley has a flat floor and long, straight roads between vineyards, and there are cycle hire businesses in Blenheim, but wait until the legs have properly recovered before you try a bike. Check the winter opening times, since some cellar doors reduce hours or close for the season.

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