How to Spend 1 Day in Blenheim

Lush vineyards with award-winning wines put Blenheim on the travel map, and it’s a great home base for visiting producers in the Marlborough Wine Region. Whether you’re riding a bike between the vines or tasting your way across the countryside, there are a wide range of ways to experience the area. Use these tips to plan your 1-day trip. 

Morning: Discover the Marlborough Wine Region

Taste your way through the Wairau Valley and other Marlborough favorites on a half-day tour that explores the region’s most distinctive wines. Tour options range from wine-only trips with tastings at multiple vineyards to gourmet excursions that include some of the cheeses, farm-fresh produce, and other treats made here, so choose an itinerary that’s tailored to your group. If you plan to purchase bottles of wine, take advantage of tours with included transport that can whisk your finds from place to place as you enjoy a morning of tastings.

Afternoon: Visit the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre

Historic and replica aircraft from the First World War and Second World War are on display at the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre in Blenheim, which is home to director Peter Jackson’s personal collection. Vivid dioramas put those planes in the heart of the action, reenacting some of those wars’ most famous events. Securing tickets online is a time-saving strategy that lets you take care of planning in advance; you’ll have the option to buy tickets for just the WWI section, just the WWII section, or select a combined pass to both sections of the museum. 

Night: Take an Evening Bike Ride

Blenheim’s mostly flat terrain makes this a leisurely place for a laid-back bike ride. Rent a bike and get tips on quiet roads and car-free bike paths in the area, with the option to stop and visit more vineyards. Some bike rentals even include the maps and area information you need for a self-guided tour, so you can plot out the perfect route before the sun sets. If you’re rather ride alongside a guide, opt for a guided bike tour that takes care of all the planning.