New Zealand · MARLBOROUGH TOURS

The 15 Best Marlborough Wine & Sound Tours

66 tours  ·  from $14

Blenheim has the cellar doors and Picton has the water, twenty minutes apart. The 15 below cover the tasting minibuses, the bike routes between vineyards and the mail boat through Queen Charlotte Sound.

Queen Charlotte Sound Mail Boat Cruise from Picton - A four-hour route that changes with the day
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Queen Charlotte Sound Mail Boat Cruise from Picton

1.Queen Charlotte Sound Mail Boat Cruise from Picton

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

Join Beachcomber Cruises in Picton for a four-hour working mail boat run through Queen Charlotte Sound. Your skipper delivers post, groceries, and freight to remote homes and lodges while sharing local history. The boat may be a small nine-seater or a 90-passenger catamaran. Keep your camera ready for dolphins and seals.

“I liked that you were able to sit either inside or out. The skipper was very informative in a friendly fashion.”

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Beyond the Vines - Full-Day Marlborough Wine Tasting Tour - Five wineries give you a real taste of the region
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Beyond the Vines – Full-Day Marlborough Wine Tasting Tour

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

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

From Picton or Blenheim, spend about six hours visiting several Marlborough wineries in an air-conditioned vehicle. Expect tastings of Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Pinot Noir, and local specialties, plus a lunch stop at Saint Clair Vineyard Kitchen, usually. Guides may include Gavin, Hamish, Lynley, James, Keith, or Phil.

“Gavin made a brilliant day even better! Worth the fee alone, his knowledge, humour and interpersonal skills were second d to none. The wine was awesome too, 5 different locations all really engaging and pleased to have us there. A superb day with new friends made and memories for ever.”

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Queen Charlotte Track: Cruise & Self-Guided Hike from Picton - Cruising from Picton through the Marlborough Sounds
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Queen Charlotte Track: Cruise & Self-Guided Hike from Picton

3.Queen Charlotte Track: Cruise & Self-Guided Hike from Picton

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 383 reviews · 8h 30m · from $66

Cruise with Beachcomber Cruises from Picton through the Marlborough Sounds, then choose a 12.7-kilometer walk from Furneaux Lodge to Punga Cove or a 17-kilometer route from Ship Cove to Furneaux Lodge. Expect skipper commentary, native bush, sound views, and a full day outdoors.

“excellent commentary on the boat. even managed to pickup some playful dolphins. nice 12k walk.”

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Full Day Iconic Mail Boat Cruise - Mail deliveries, dock dogs, and remote homes
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Full Day Iconic Mail Boat Cruise

4.Full Day Iconic Mail Boat Cruise

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

Join Ross, Mark, or Kelly Foot aboard the Pelorus Mail Boat from Havelock for a full day through Kenepuru Sound. You will watch mail, groceries, and freight reach remote homes, hear lively local commentary, and look for dolphins, seals, and blue penguins. Bring lunch and warm layers.

“The whole trip was brilliant from start to finish . Skipper’s dry sense of humour was entertaining as well”

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Self-Guided Wine Tours by Bike with Lorelle & Greg - Getting started in Renwick
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Self-Guided Wine Tours by Bike with Lorelle & Greg

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

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

Spend six hours cycling between Renwick cellar doors with comfortable bikes, helmets, baskets, wine panniers, maps, and practical advice from Lorelle, Greg, and their team. Choose your own wineries, stop for tastings and cheese platters, and use the shuttle from Blenheim or Renwick if you are staying within 15 kilometres.

“Very well organized and friendly staff. The day was amazing from the beginning until the end. I would definitely recommend booking this activity with them!”

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Queen Charlotte Sound Mail Boat Cruise - What happens between 1:30 pm and your return
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Queen Charlotte Sound Mail Boat Cruise

6.Queen Charlotte Sound Mail Boat Cruise

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

From Picton, you cruise Queen Charlotte Sound while the skipper delivers mail and supplies to isolated bays and homes. Expect local history, wildlife spotting, and changing scenery. The boat may range from a small water taxi to a larger catamaran. Ship Cove stops run from October 1 to April 30.

“Fun way to see the sound. Beautiful views along the way. Boat was very crowded, and despite the Captains request for those up top to switch places half way with those downstairs no one did. Also the ones who got the top deck would staRead more”

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Full Day Winemakers Tour in Marlborough - Lawson’s Dry Hills starts with grapes and local context
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Full Day Winemakers Tour in Marlborough

7.Full Day Winemakers Tour in Marlborough

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

Spend about six and a half hours exploring Marlborough with a small group of up to 11 people. Guides such as Darlene, Cameron, Amanda, Doug, and Maurice share local wine knowledge while you visit four to six wineries, sample premium pours, stop for lunch, and possibly add beer, cider, or chocolate.

“Amazing day, full of laughter and enjoyable. Darlene was informative, explained the region and about the wine industry in the region.”

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Marlborough Sounds and Ship Cove Cruise from Picton - Wildlife along the route
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Marlborough Sounds and Ship Cove Cruise from Picton

8.Marlborough Sounds and Ship Cove Cruise from Picton

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

Join Beachcomber Cruises for a three-hour morning trip from Picton through Queen Charlotte Sound to Ship Cove. Guides such as Jason, Greg, Ian, and Dylan share local history, ecology, and conservation stories. Expect a short shore visit, possible dolphins or seals, and a boat that may range from a nine-seat vessel to a 90-seat catamaran.

“Very enjoyable, especially the stops around the sound to pick-up, drop-off passengers; we were able to get off the boat for a few minutes and see the area.”

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Marlborough: Full-Day Self-Guided Biking Wine Tour - Starting at the Vines Village
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Marlborough: Full-Day Self-Guided Biking Wine Tour

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

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

You’ll collect a bike, helmet, lock, and local wine map, then set your own route among 12 wineries within 3 kilometers of the base. Staff such as Rory or Roo can help with planning, while Blenheim and Renwick hotel pickup removes the need to drive. Tastings, lunch, and electric bikes cost extra.

“Great wine tour! We got a map and some information about the wineries and some recommendations before getting on the bikes which was really helpful.”

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Self-Guided Biking Wine Tour (full day) in the Marlborough Region. - Choosing between a standard bike and an e-bike
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Self-Guided Biking Wine Tour (full day) in the Marlborough Region.

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

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

Start with pickup from Blenheim or Renwick, then get fitted with a step-through bike, e-bike, tandem, or kids’ bike at The Vines Village. You’ll receive a helmet, hi-viz vest, lock, basket, and winery map before setting your own route among more than a dozen cellar doors. Tastings and lunch cost extra, and bottle collection is free.

“Really great thing to do, vineyards are in close proximity and all offer a unique experience doing it on bikes makes it even more fun”

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Discover Marlborough Wine - Afternoon Marlborough Wine Tour - What you learn about Marlborough wine
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Discover Marlborough Wine – Afternoon Marlborough Wine Tour

11.Discover Marlborough Wine – Afternoon Marlborough Wine Tour

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

Spend four to five hours visiting four Marlborough wineries in a small group of no more than 11. Taste sauvignon blanc, pinot noir, pinot gris, riesling, and other local wines while guides such as Gavin, Glenn, Keith, and Phil explain the region’s vineyards and wine story. Pickup and drop-off are included from Picton or Blenheim.

“Tour excellent, 4 wineries and 20 tastings Tour guide Nic enthusiastic, informative and very helpful with local knowledge. Would highly recommend this tour.”

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The Hobbit Barrel Run Rafting Tour on the Pelorus River - On the Pelorus River: paddling rather than passive sightseeing
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The Hobbit Barrel Run Rafting Tour on the Pelorus River

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

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

Join Pelorus Eco Adventures for a guided rafting trip on New Zealand’s Pelorus River. After gearing up in a wetsuit, paddle toward locations used in The Desolation of Smaug, hear about local milling and mining, and return to Havelock by included transport. Jade is one guide named in the tour feedback.

“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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Picton Cruise Ship Shore Excursion Marlborough Wine Tour - A closer look at possible winery stops
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Picton Cruise Ship Shore Excursion Marlborough Wine Tour

13.Picton Cruise Ship Shore Excursion Marlborough Wine Tour

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

Leave Picton by minibus for Marlborough’s vineyards and visit up to five cellar doors in about five hours. Your guide may be Bruce, Lucinda, Lisa, John, Marsley, or another Jade Tours host. Expect tastings, a vineyard stop, chocolate, and lunch at your own cost. Groups are limited to 11.

“Bruce was very knowledgeable and easy going we had a lovely day exploring the wineries and enjoying the countryside would highly recommend”

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Marlborough Full Day Wine Tour - Riding through the Wairau Valley
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Marlborough Full Day Wine Tour

14.Marlborough Full Day Wine Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 159 reviews · 6 hours · from $131

Spend six hours touring Marlborough’s Wairau Valley in a small group of up to 10. Guides such as Bruce, John, Marsley, Mike, and Lisa take you to around five cellar doors, explain local winegrowing, and arrange a vineyard lunch stop. Tastings, hotel pickup, water, and crisps are included, with a chocolate factory visit when time allows.

“My partner and myself had a wonderful time with John. The tour consists of 5 wineries and each place has roughly 4-5 wines to taste at each. Was a fantastic time and the company was great. The value for money is really there and can whole heartily recommend it to anyone who wants a comprehensive picture of the local wines. John was very knowledgeable and provided great insight into the region.”

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Marlborough Wine Tour - Afternoon of Cuisine & Wine 4hrs - Lunch first, with wine at the table
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Marlborough Wine Tour – Afternoon of Cuisine & Wine 4hrs

15.Marlborough Wine Tour – Afternoon of Cuisine & Wine 4hrs

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 143 reviews · from $121

From Blenheim, you’ll begin with a winery lunch at your own cost, then visit up to four Marlborough cellar doors in an air-conditioned vehicle. Guides such as Bill, Toni, Vic, and Kevin add local stories, while tastings cover the region’s famous white wines and smaller producers. Hotel pickup is included.

“Our guide, Bill, was knowledgeable, friendly, and had a terrific sense of humor. At the end of our tour he dropped us at two different destinations and that door to door service was greatly appreciated. The lunch we had at the first vineyard was delicious. At each vineyard we visited each host provided interesting details about their vineyard's history and the make-up of each wine. Interesting stories were given how the wines got their names and in each presenter you could see their enthusiasm for the products they were serving. The wines were delectable. Highly recommend this tour.”

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New in Marlborough Tours

★ 5.0Pelorus Mail Boat Sunday Scenic Cruise – Full-Day from HavelockFrom $863 reviews
★ 5.0Picton & Blenheim Scenic TourFrom $809 reviews
★ 5.0Private Driving Wine Tour (full day) in the Marlborough RegionFrom $3417 reviews
★ 4.5Marlborough Icons Tour – Wine tasting + CruiseFrom $19876 reviews
★ 5.0Marlborough Classic Wine Tasting Tour.From $10515 reviews
★ 5.0Taste the Valley Wine Tour in Marlborough with Wine Tasting60 reviews
★ 4.5Marlborough Afternoon Wine Tour with TastingsFrom $10830 reviews
★ 5.0Knights of the Sky – The Great War Exhibition in BlenheimFrom $1826 reviews
★ 5.0Jimmy’s Classic Marlborough Wine toursFrom $24556 reviews
★ 5.0Marlborough Wine Tour – Afternoon Sippers of Wine Only 4hrsFrom $12115 reviews
★ 4.5Half-Day Wine Tour from BlenheimFrom $11440 reviews
★ 5.0Morning Guided with Afternoon Self-Guided Biking Wine TourFrom $11730 reviews
★ 5.0Gourmet Gold Wine Tour: Indulge in Cloudy Bay’s finest winesFrom $36416 reviews
★ 5.0Full-Day Wine Tour from BlenheimFrom $1554 reviews
★ 5.0Full-Day Wine Gourmet and Scenic Delight Tour of Marlborough from PictonFrom $1839 reviews

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