Speak to one of our experts now about this offer

Call us on - 0800 092 4444

Or drop into your local Kuoni store to find out more

Find your nearest store

Speak to one of our experts now about this offer

Call us on - 0800 294 9710

Or drop into your local Kuoni store to find out more

Find your nearest store

Speak to one of our experts now about this offer

Call us on - 0800 294 9728

Or drop into your local Kuoni store to find out more

Find your nearest store

This holiday is currently unavailable to book online

We'd love to help you secure your holiday, you can reach out to us in one of the following ways...

Call us

  • We're here to answer the smallest question, or plan the largest holiday.
  • Lines open until 8PM. Calls answered by a human within 2 minutes.
0800 047 3417

Lines open today 9am-8pm Show all hours

All Destinations

Monday: 9am - 8pm

Tuesday: 9am - 8pm

Wednesday: 9am - 8pm

Thursday: 9am - 8pm

Friday: 9am - 8pm

Saturday: 9am - 6pm

Sunday: 11am - 4pm


Australasia & North America

Mon to Sat: 10am - 5pm

Sunday: Closed

Email us

  • Ask questions, change bookings, or arrange to speak to us.
  • We're online until 9am-8pm. Emails replied to within 1 working day.

Emails replied to within 1 working day

Live chat

  • Got a quick question? Our live chat team are here to help.
  • We're online until 8 PM. Chats answered by a human within 1 minute.

Chat to an expert now

Marlborough & Kaikoura Holidays

South Island’s region for walking, wine tasting and whale watching.

The north-eastern region of South Island is home to Marlborough, a region famous for outstanding wines and its spectacularly scenic Sounds. Start your journey in the harbour town of Picton, where the ferries from North Island dock.

The Marlborough Sounds are a great introduction to South Island’s outstanding scenery with coastal inlets surrounded by forested hills that can be explored by boat and kayak. There are some wonderful cycle and hiking routes here too, some of which can take up to five days to complete. The town of Blenheim is gateway to one of the world’s best wine regions, the Marlborough. Sauvignon Blanc is produced here some of which is exported internationally, although it is worth tastings at some of the smaller boutique wineries. Take the very scenic drive from Picton to the coastal town of Kaikōura where you can go in search of New Zealand’s marine life including whales and dolphins.

Read more

Marlborough & Kaikoura Hotels

Our recommendations for the best places to stay in Marlborough & Kaikoura

Bay of Many Coves Resort

Set in a secluded bay in the Marlborough Sounds, this welcoming lodge offers relaxation and fanta...

Chateau Marlborough

Five star luxury at the top of the South Island

Hapuku Lodge, Kaikoura

A luxury eco-friendly lodge with treehouse rooms and magnificent views over the Kaikoura Seaward...

The Lemon Tree Lodge, Kaikoura

A boutique lodge imbued with Swiss charm

Holidays in Marlborough & Kaikoura

  • Marlborough & Kaikoura
  • 4.5 Star

Set in a secluded bay in the Marlborough Sounds, this welcoming lodge offers relaxation and fantastic wildlife-viewing opportunities.
  • Marlborough & Kaikoura
  • 4.5 Star

Five star luxury at the top of the South Island
  • Marlborough & Kaikoura
  • 4.5 Star

A luxury eco-friendly lodge with treehouse rooms and magnificent views over the Kaikoura Seaward Mountain Range.
  • Marlborough & Kaikoura
  • 3.5 Star

A boutique lodge imbued with Swiss charm

You may also like

South Island

Christchurch & Akaroa

South Island

Abel Tasman & the North West

South Island

West Coast Glaciers & Southern Alps

South Island

Queenstown & Wanaka

South Island

Fiordland, Invercargill & Stewart Island

South Island

Dunedin & Otago Peninsula
  • chevron down
    • Kuoni recommended
    • Name (A-Z)
    • Rating (High to Low)
    • Rating (Low to High)
    • Price (High to Low)
    • Price (Low to High)
  • {{ filter.text }}
  • Clear all
Tour
  • Australasia & Pacific

New Zealand Highlights Self-Drive

Peek into the glowworm caves and marvel at the geothermic activity on North Island before flying to South Island for mountainous escapades, glacier hikes, scenic drives, and an epic train journey through the magnificent landscape.

Tour
  • Australasia & Pacific

Landscapes of New Zealand Self-Drive

From glorious waters that teem with trout on the North Island to the glaciers of the South Island, this trip reveals the scenic diversity of New Zealand, including vineyards, lakes, and rainforests. You’ll have the chance to walk some of the country’s most famous trails, including the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, the Queen Charlotte Track, trails through Fjordland, and private routes that weave through a merino wool farm.

Tour
  • Australasia & Pacific

Best of New Zealand Self-Drive

Your trip kicks off in Auckland, and as you drive through the countryside and city, the best of New Zealand will reveal itself. Working through North Island, then catching the ferry to the dramatically scenic South Island, this itinerary checks off must-see locations and finishes with a memorable railway journey through the mountains aboard the TranzAlpine Express.

Tour
  • Australasia & Pacific

New Zealand in Style Self-Drive

Your memorable trip begins in Auckland before you pick up a hire car, and your epic road trip begins. You’ll drive between New Zealand’s most coveted locations across both North Island and South Island and stay in a range of gorgeous, hand-picked places, from waterfront lodges to eco-minded treehouses, family-run wine lodges, and high-end hotels, each of which offers something distinct and memorable.

Tour
  • Australasia & Pacific

New Zealand Southern Splendour Self-Drive

Set off on a multi-stop road trip that covers the highlights of New Zealand’s South Island, from the scenery of the Southern Alps to the tranquillity of Fiordland, the adventures of Queenstown, and the fine wines of Marlborough. Topped and tailed with city stays, this is a road trip that you’ll remember forever.

Get to know Marlborough & Kaikōura and those important practicalities when planning your perfect holiday.

Capital
TIME DIFFERENCE

GMT +12 (with New Zealand Daylight Time and New Zealand Standard Time applied, this largely equates to 11 hours ahead of the UK from early April to late September and 13 hours ahead from late September to late March)

CURRENCY

New Zealand dollar

FLYING TIME TO DESTINATION

25½ hours (not including stopover time)

RELIGION

New Zealand has no state religion but the majority of people are Christian

LANGUAGE

Māori and English

Where are Marlborough & Kaikōura?
Marlborough is located in the northeast corner of New Zealand’s South Island. The coastal town of Kaikōura lies further south along the east coast, nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the Kaikōura Ranges.

Read more

Gateway to the south
The seaport of Picton is gateway to the South Island and home to sheltered, drowned valleys of the Marlborough Sounds, picturesque vineyards, outdoor adventures and wildlife encounters. The ferries arrive here from North Island, a journey of 3.5 hours through the Cook Strait. It’s worth browsing the quaint harbour at Picton, lined with cafés, restaurants, galleries and shops.

Read more

World-famous vineyards
The Marlborough region has the perfect climate for wine production. Blenheim is the main town in the region and a good base from which to explore the cellar doors of the Awatere and Wairau valleys. The best way to visit the vineyards and enjoy a tasting or two, is on a guided tour from Blenheim with 30 wineries within easy reach. The wines produced here are world-class – particularly the Sauvignon Blancs from the cellar doors of Cloudy Bay, Villa Maria and Ned.

Read more

Marlborough Sounds
Queen Charlotte, Kenepuru, Pelorus and Mahau make up the Marlborough Sounds. Head to this extensive network of peninsulas, islands and coastal waterways to enjoy breathtaking views over the sea, set against a mountain backdrop. There is plenty to do here including kayaking, fishing, diving and wildlife viewing – you may even be lucky enough to spot dolphins. The Queen Charlotte Track is a wonderful trail attracting hikers and cyclists. It connects Kenepuru and Queen Charlotte Sounds on a 45-mile path. A good level of fitness is required, but the rewards are worth it with spectacular mountain and coastal views throughout.

Read more

Seaside town & wildlife watching
The two-hour drive south from Picton to the coastal town of Kaikōura is spectacular with towering mountains on one side and the Pacific Ocean on the other. It’s worth stopping in Kaikōura for a night or two before travelling onto Christchurch that lies three-hours to the south. Kaikōura is famed for its wildlife experiences, in particular whale watching. Boat trips and scenic flights go out in search of albatross, dusky dolphins, seals and sperm whales. If you enjoy seafood, then this is one of the best places to try crayfish – in Maori, Kaikōura means food (kai) crayfish (kōura).

Read more

Marlborough & Kaikoura Weather

Dec - Apr

January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December




Talk to an expert today

Your dream holiday is just a phone call away

Call us on 0800 047 3417
Opening times

Mon to Sat: 10am - 5pm

Sunday: Closed


Visit your local Kuoni store

Find your nearest store

In-person, virtual or phone

Get face-to-face advice from our friendly team

Email enquiry

Tell us what you’re planning and let our experts help you with your holiday

Your travel plans

I'm not sure yet
I'm not sure yet

Tell us who is going with you, what airport you'd like to fly from and any other details we may find useful, such as if it's a special occasion.

Your details

We may need to call you to talk about your holiday plans. If we need to get in touch, when is the best time to give you a call about your holiday?

Kuoni will be sharing travel inspiration, offers and exclusive event invites with you. We take your privacy very seriously and you can unsubscribe at any time. Please read our Privacy Policy.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Your details
Your appointment
Your travel plans
I'm not sure yet
I'm not sure yet

Tell us who is going with you, what airport you'd like to fly from and any other details we may find useful, such as if it's a special occasion.