BLENHEIM
13 MAY 2023
Updated 14th December 2023
Updated 14th December 2023
There are plenty of family friendly activities in Blenheim, New Zealand, which is located in the heart of Marlborough. You can explore the Wither Hills by going on a short hike or a long one (we love hiking to the top of the ridge and going as far as we can!), visit the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre, take a bike ride along the Taylor River Reserve or visit Pollard Park which is super pretty in autumn when the leaves are changing! It's an outdoor lover's paradise and with it being in the sunniest region in New Zealand, it means there are heaps of sunshine hours to get out and about.
There are food markets on Saturday and Sunday in Blenheim which we love to get treats from, and there are often events going on in the area. If you're a wine lover then you'll love one of the wine towns of New Zealand.
There are food markets on Saturday and Sunday in Blenheim which we love to get treats from, and there are often events going on in the area. If you're a wine lover then you'll love one of the wine towns of New Zealand.
Be The Pilot Of A REAL Plane!
Hold onto your seat, this cafe is about to take off with its delicious treats and coffee! Beside the cafe is a real-life cargo plane that cost just $2 per adult and is free for kids to enter. We had so much fun exploring it and it's really cool the kids get to pretend to be pilots and press the switches and pull the leavers in the cockpit.
When Bella, Sienna and I went on the aircraft ourselves, you could say it was an...unmanned... flight and it wasn't boeing at all! I'm sorry, are my puns not very funny? Well, you just have a bad altitude!
When Bella, Sienna and I went on the aircraft ourselves, you could say it was an...unmanned... flight and it wasn't boeing at all! I'm sorry, are my puns not very funny? Well, you just have a bad altitude!
Discover Round Boulders
Just 45 minutes southeast of Blenheim is one cool beach to explore. There are so many unique rock formations and even gemstones to find! Some of the rocks and boulders were uplifted over 2 metres in the 2016 Kaikoura earthquake!
It's a beautiful beach with amazing views wherever you look and there are so many treasures to be found, it's definitely worth a visit.
It's a beautiful beach with amazing views wherever you look and there are so many treasures to be found, it's definitely worth a visit.
Experience WWI & WW2
You don't have to be an aviation lover to enjoy the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre. There are two huge areas filled with planes of all sizes and eras, loaned by plane enthusiasts, with the most incredible detailing on them as well as the figurines. It's no wonder they are so amazing as Peter Jackson is part of the centre and he got Weta Workshop and Wingnut Films to create these amazing masterpieces!
Feed & Pat Cute Animals
The Walnut Ranch has open days every month where kids can interact with horses, rabbits, mice, chickens and more. The animals are all friendly (apart from a few pecking chickens!) and seem well cared for.
We spent an hour or so looking at the animals and feeding them popcorn and carrots that we got at the entrance. The girls went for a short pony ride too which they really enjoyed!
For more info click here.
We spent an hour or so looking at the animals and feeding them popcorn and carrots that we got at the entrance. The girls went for a short pony ride too which they really enjoyed!
For more info click here.
Visit Hawaii (But Not Really)
A little slice of heaven in the South Island 30-minutes north of Blenheim! Whites Bay is a calm, sandy beach perfect for swimming and spending the day relaxing. There are stairs up the cliff where you'll see some pretty extraordinary views and there is a cool keyhole rock around the bay which makes for a good photo.
We spent 2 days in a row here, only beautiful sunny days and enjoyed swimming, rockpool hunting and making sandcastles. It's a really peaceful place and if you go on a weekday it's even more peaceful. The girls enjoyed swimming down the right end of the beach as the water was the calmest (not that it was even rough at all!!).
We spent 2 days in a row here, only beautiful sunny days and enjoyed swimming, rockpool hunting and making sandcastles. It's a really peaceful place and if you go on a weekday it's even more peaceful. The girls enjoyed swimming down the right end of the beach as the water was the calmest (not that it was even rough at all!!).
Get Ya Christmas On (Don't Be A Grinch!)
If you're in Marlborough in December, there is a great Christmas tree display at the Wairau Valley Anglican Church in Renwick, with all sorts of trees decorated by different clubs, schools and businesses.
We have been in both 2022 and 2023 and we love looking at all the gorgeously decorated trees. There is a gnome hunt which is a lot of fun for the kids, where they have to find a certain number of gnomes hidden around the rooms. We think this is pretty awesome as it means the parents get a good chance to spend time enjoying the trees without the kids getting too bored!
Location: Wairau Valley Anglican Church, 54 High Street, Renwick
We have been in both 2022 and 2023 and we love looking at all the gorgeously decorated trees. There is a gnome hunt which is a lot of fun for the kids, where they have to find a certain number of gnomes hidden around the rooms. We think this is pretty awesome as it means the parents get a good chance to spend time enjoying the trees without the kids getting too bored!
Location: Wairau Valley Anglican Church, 54 High Street, Renwick
Find HEAPS Of Amazing Shells
We felt like we were in Greece when we got out to Mussel Point (45-minutes south of Blenheim) because the rocks were so white and so was some of the coastline. There were so many treasures to find at this beach and so many cool rock formations that we hadn't seen before! This is one of our favourite beaches in New Zealand.
We found some really amazing and unique shells that we hadn't seen before and there were sooo many rock pools to explore! Low tide is a good time to go to see the rock pools and to see the rocks that were uplifted over 2 meters during the 2016 Kaikoura earthquake.
We found some really amazing and unique shells that we hadn't seen before and there were sooo many rock pools to explore! Low tide is a good time to go to see the rock pools and to see the rocks that were uplifted over 2 meters during the 2016 Kaikoura earthquake.
Chill Out At Seymour Square
Located in the heart of Blenheim is Seymour Square which features a 16.5m high historic clock tower and a beautiful fountain which lights up at night.
Kids can enjoy watching the fountain or splashing their hands about in it. There is heaps of space for them to run around or to have a picnic.
Kids can enjoy watching the fountain or splashing their hands about in it. There is heaps of space for them to run around or to have a picnic.
Eat A Burleigh Pie
Ok so we ate our pies WAY too fast that we never took any photos of them! Take our word for it, they are DEEEEELICIOUS! Our favourite were the pork belly pie and the Jamaican curry pie which has a good chilli kick to it. Their pies are so full of flavour and the pastry is super crispy. They can sell out super-fast, so you need to go early to make sure you get what you want. They sell frozen pies too for taking home.
They also make yummy baguettes and good coffee.
You can find them at: 34 New Renwick Road, Burleigh.
Hours:
Tue 07:30 am - 03:00 pm
Wed 07:30 am - 03:00 pm
Thu 07:30 am - 03:00 pm
Fri 07:30 am - 03:00 pm
Sat 07:30 am - 01:30 pm
Sun Closed
Mon Closed
They also make yummy baguettes and good coffee.
You can find them at: 34 New Renwick Road, Burleigh.
Hours:
Tue 07:30 am - 03:00 pm
Wed 07:30 am - 03:00 pm
Thu 07:30 am - 03:00 pm
Fri 07:30 am - 03:00 pm
Sat 07:30 am - 01:30 pm
Sun Closed
Mon Closed
Hike To The Top Of Blenheim
It's hard to miss the Wither Hills when you're in Blenheim, they are beautiful, rolling hills with plenty of walking and mountain bike tracks to choose from. There are tracks to suit all abilities and ages.
Hiking in the Wither Hills is one of our favourite things to do in Blenheim as it's so incredibly beautiful, especially at the top! Some of the tracks are mostly flat and easy like the Sutherland Stream Track, Gentle Annie and Lower Quail Stream Track and then there are some absolute killers like the Mt Vernon Track and Taylors Dam Lookout Track.
The views at the top are 100% worth and thigh pain! We try to go on a sunny day with a cool wind, as temps can soar during summer. You'll see plenty of sheep along the way and lots of cow poo splattered along the paths mmm.
Our favourite track on the hills starts on the Lower Quail Stream Track > Intersect Track > Taylor View Track > Reservoir Ridge Track and finishing on the Upper Harling Track back to the same carpark as we started. It's a 3 - 4 hour track which takes us 4 hours as we always stop for a picnic on the seat at the top of the Intersect Track and often spent 20 - 30 mins just enjoying the view. The Intersect Track is extremely steep so the rest is always welcomed! The rest of the track is fairly easy and flat in most places, then it starts going downhill towards the end (which can be hard on the knees and ankles). Arabella and Sienna love doing this track and they make it fun by playing games, saying hi to the cattle or sheep, rolling down hills and taking different paths than us.
Click to read the full Lower Quail Stream to Upper Harling Track blog
Click to read the full Mt Vernon Track blog
Click to read the full Sutherland Stream Track blog
Hiking in the Wither Hills is one of our favourite things to do in Blenheim as it's so incredibly beautiful, especially at the top! Some of the tracks are mostly flat and easy like the Sutherland Stream Track, Gentle Annie and Lower Quail Stream Track and then there are some absolute killers like the Mt Vernon Track and Taylors Dam Lookout Track.
The views at the top are 100% worth and thigh pain! We try to go on a sunny day with a cool wind, as temps can soar during summer. You'll see plenty of sheep along the way and lots of cow poo splattered along the paths mmm.
Our favourite track on the hills starts on the Lower Quail Stream Track > Intersect Track > Taylor View Track > Reservoir Ridge Track and finishing on the Upper Harling Track back to the same carpark as we started. It's a 3 - 4 hour track which takes us 4 hours as we always stop for a picnic on the seat at the top of the Intersect Track and often spent 20 - 30 mins just enjoying the view. The Intersect Track is extremely steep so the rest is always welcomed! The rest of the track is fairly easy and flat in most places, then it starts going downhill towards the end (which can be hard on the knees and ankles). Arabella and Sienna love doing this track and they make it fun by playing games, saying hi to the cattle or sheep, rolling down hills and taking different paths than us.
Click to read the full Lower Quail Stream to Upper Harling Track blog
Click to read the full Mt Vernon Track blog
Click to read the full Sutherland Stream Track blog
Take The Scenic Route To Picton From Blenheim
The Queen Charlotte Drive is one of the most scenic and breathtaking drives we have done in New Zealand! It has to be one of the best in the world too. It's a 40km long drive from Havelock to Picton (or the other way around!) with absolutely beautiful views along the way. It's best to do it from Havelock to Picton because all of the bays to stop are on the lefthand side of the road.
This is a drive you take when you have plenty of time to make the stops to enjoy the views. It's best done on a sunny day so you get to capture the full beauty of it.
There are places along the way where you can make your way down to the beach, like Governors Bay, so the kids can have a swim.
This is a drive you take when you have plenty of time to make the stops to enjoy the views. It's best done on a sunny day so you get to capture the full beauty of it.
There are places along the way where you can make your way down to the beach, like Governors Bay, so the kids can have a swim.
Explore An Old Shipwreck!
There are not many places you can explore a shipwreck but you can in the Waverly Lagoon just 15-minutes east of Blenheim. The 1 hour 15-minute walk takes you through salt marshes and you get beautiful views of the Wither Hills and the Blue Mountains. The walk itself is flat and monotonous but is easy and still enjoyable.
It's best to visit the shipwreck at low tide so you can get inside to explore it. To get inside, you'll need to squeeze through a rusty hole that's fairly smooth but be sure to watch your clothing doesn't catch.
It's a really fun place for kids to explore and we'd recommend going on a cool day as there is no shade cover at all on the walk.
It's best to visit the shipwreck at low tide so you can get inside to explore it. To get inside, you'll need to squeeze through a rusty hole that's fairly smooth but be sure to watch your clothing doesn't catch.
It's a really fun place for kids to explore and we'd recommend going on a cool day as there is no shade cover at all on the walk.
Monkey Around At Monkey Bay
You would expect to find Monkeys at Monkeys Bay right? Sadly there are no monkeys here but to make up for the disappointment, the views are seriously unreal once you get around the corner and see Monkey Bay - it feels like you're in Thailand but really, you're 30-minutes north of Blenheim.
The beach is small and it has GORGEOUS gemstones and rocks here. We spent ages collecting them and we found if we waited by the shoreline for the waves to come up and go away, it uncovered new rocks every time.
Lots of driftwood collects on the beach, which is awesome as the kids can make huts and there are also caves and caverns in the area to explore. I love the rock formations at Monkey Bay - they are so fascinating and unique at different parts of the beach.
The beach is small and it has GORGEOUS gemstones and rocks here. We spent ages collecting them and we found if we waited by the shoreline for the waves to come up and go away, it uncovered new rocks every time.
Lots of driftwood collects on the beach, which is awesome as the kids can make huts and there are also caves and caverns in the area to explore. I love the rock formations at Monkey Bay - they are so fascinating and unique at different parts of the beach.
Explore The Rivers And Parks In Blenheim
Blenheim has so many stunning parks with huge trees and clear rivers and we have spent so much time over spring, summer and autumn scootering in the parks, catching leaves from the big trees when they were falling (the leaves that is, not the trees!), swimming in the rivers (cold, even in summer!) and throwing rocks into the water.
As Blenheim is so flat, the paths along the parks are ideal for scootering, biking, walking and running. Most of the parks are dog friendly too, so the furry members of the family can join too!
One time Sienna and I found a huge area beside a river that was filled with fennel which was taller than me! She had a lot of fun walking through it and seeing how far she could go.
As Blenheim is so flat, the paths along the parks are ideal for scootering, biking, walking and running. Most of the parks are dog friendly too, so the furry members of the family can join too!
One time Sienna and I found a huge area beside a river that was filled with fennel which was taller than me! She had a lot of fun walking through it and seeing how far she could go.
Swim, Swim, Swimmy, Swim, Swim
Nothing beats a rainy-day swimming indoors! The pools at Stadium 2000 in Blenheim are heated and there are 5 pools in total including a toddler's pool, leisure pool (where our girls swim the most as they can reach the bottom) and even a lazy pool which is super fun as you can sit back and relax and let the water take you away (don't worry, it's a figure 8 shape so you'll come back eventually)! There is also a spa for the adults to relax in and if you've forgotten your togs then you can sit on one of the many seats around the pool and get splashed by the kids. There is also an outdoor pool here and a gym. There are baby changing facilities, men's & women's changing rooms plus family changing rooms which are private.
Inside the building is a small cafe and Subway, for those hungry tummies.
Inside the building is a small cafe and Subway, for those hungry tummies.
Burn Energy Off At The Little Red Fox
There aren't too many indoor activities in Blenheim, so when we're in town and the Little Red Fox is open on a rainy day then we love to take the girls there. The owners are really kind people and are very friendly and they've done a great job with setting the place up.
The hub has a slide that goes into a ball pit, an air ball machine (that sucks them up and shoots them into the air), ball gun (take down thy enemy) and a bouncy castle. The room is small but honestly our girls NEVER get bored, they can play there for hours! There is also an area with a wooden kitchen and dolls which is popular with the younger ones.
While the kids play, there are a few chairs and a small couch for us parents to relax and chat, although sometimes we love to have a ball fight with the kids!
Check them out on Instagram here.
The hub has a slide that goes into a ball pit, an air ball machine (that sucks them up and shoots them into the air), ball gun (take down thy enemy) and a bouncy castle. The room is small but honestly our girls NEVER get bored, they can play there for hours! There is also an area with a wooden kitchen and dolls which is popular with the younger ones.
While the kids play, there are a few chairs and a small couch for us parents to relax and chat, although sometimes we love to have a ball fight with the kids!
Check them out on Instagram here.
Scooter On The Road + Have A Go On The Flying Fox
Oliver Park in Blenheim has a really cool scooter park which looks like a real road. There's give way signs and pedestrian crossing and curbs! Our girls love it here and when we're in Blenheim, you'll find us here most days!
The playground is a lot of fun with the usual swings, slides and seesaws plus a really cool flying fox. The playground backs onto a huge park (Oliver Park) where we love to throw the frisbee around as there is so much room.
The playground is a lot of fun with the usual swings, slides and seesaws plus a really cool flying fox. The playground backs onto a huge park (Oliver Park) where we love to throw the frisbee around as there is so much room.
Step Back In Time At Brayshaw Park
Brayshaw Heritage Park in Blenheim is the perfect place for families who want to have a blast from the past. They have an open day once a year and it's like a time machine...but instead of going forward, you'll go waaaaaay, way back to a time when steam trains ruled the land and vintage cars were the hottest thing on four wheels.
It's a place where you can take a ride on a train that's older than your great-grandma and see cars that your grandpa used to drool over and there are plenty of food stalls to keep you fueled up for the journey back in time!
Certain parts of the park are also open at different days and times of the year. The girls LOVE the rock and gem building where there are rock enthusiast ready to tell you stories and give you their knowledge about all things gems and all things rocks. There are loads of rocks and gems to purchase and you can also hire out the equipment in the back room to cut and polish your own rocks! It's kid friendly too and $4 per machine.
The miniature train also runs every now and then (you'll need to contact the park to find out dates and times).
The Marlborough Museum is open daily and is actually really interesting and fun with some interactive things to keep the kids interested.
So if you're ready to experience Marlborough's history in the most entertaining way possible, grab your family and head to Brayshaw Heritage Park. Just remember to leave your DeLorean at home - we don't want any time paradoxes, now do we?
It's a place where you can take a ride on a train that's older than your great-grandma and see cars that your grandpa used to drool over and there are plenty of food stalls to keep you fueled up for the journey back in time!
Certain parts of the park are also open at different days and times of the year. The girls LOVE the rock and gem building where there are rock enthusiast ready to tell you stories and give you their knowledge about all things gems and all things rocks. There are loads of rocks and gems to purchase and you can also hire out the equipment in the back room to cut and polish your own rocks! It's kid friendly too and $4 per machine.
The miniature train also runs every now and then (you'll need to contact the park to find out dates and times).
The Marlborough Museum is open daily and is actually really interesting and fun with some interactive things to keep the kids interested.
So if you're ready to experience Marlborough's history in the most entertaining way possible, grab your family and head to Brayshaw Heritage Park. Just remember to leave your DeLorean at home - we don't want any time paradoxes, now do we?
Experience Pollard Park To Its Fullest
One of our favourite seasons in Blenheim is autumn and for good reason - just loooook at all the pretty yellow leaves! It's gorgeous all year around and the park is huge which means there's so many areas to picnic, hang out or play frisbee. There are beautifully manicured and maintained gardens at Pollard Park and we love the rose garden as every rose bush is completely different!
The acorn playground is a lot of fun, especially the big slide, and there are musical instruments to play (so warning to parents, don't sit near them cause some kids play them foreeeeeeever) and there's even a swing for wheelchair users!
The water in the river is crystal clear so it's easy to see any eels (they love wet cat food) and there's always plenty of ducks around to feed.
The acorn playground is a lot of fun, especially the big slide, and there are musical instruments to play (so warning to parents, don't sit near them cause some kids play them foreeeeeeever) and there's even a swing for wheelchair users!
The water in the river is crystal clear so it's easy to see any eels (they love wet cat food) and there's always plenty of ducks around to feed.
Read And Play At The Marlborough District Library
There is a huge library in central Blenheim that is new and super comfortable. Not only do they have a huge number of books (you'd hope so, right??), but there is also a lego and duplo station! These are popping up all around New Zealand now, with so many libraries upgrading their goodies to attract more kids. I didn't get too many photos last time we went, so I had to take clips from the videos I took! Will update with new pics next time we're there ;)
You can find the library at 15 High Street, Blenheim Central.
You can find the library at 15 High Street, Blenheim Central.
Skate, Laugh, Repeat
When we're in Blenheim and the weather is good, we love taking the girls to the local skating club so they can skate around for a couple of hours. The sessions run from 11 - 1pm every Sunday (weather dependent) and it's $5 for skate hire or $2 if you have your own skates - it's a social club so you can just go casually, you don't need to be part of the club. We love how cheap it is and the girls always have so much fun. The team and parents are SO helpful and are always giving our girls tips and helping them improve their skating... it's seriously one of the best groups we have been part of!
They have roller skates or inline skates available in lots of different sizes. Also included in the price is the use of knee, elbow and wrist pads.
(Note, the skating rink is being taken down in January 2024 and a new one will be built elsewhere, but they're not sure where yet!).
Click here for the address and for more info, click here for the Blenheim Skating Club's Facebook page.
They have roller skates or inline skates available in lots of different sizes. Also included in the price is the use of knee, elbow and wrist pads.
(Note, the skating rink is being taken down in January 2024 and a new one will be built elsewhere, but they're not sure where yet!).
Click here for the address and for more info, click here for the Blenheim Skating Club's Facebook page.
A Different Perspective
Every November there is a lights festival at the A&P grounds in Blenheim and it's full of carnival rides and food stalls, plus you get to see (and hear) the fireworks up close and personal BUT if you're like us and like to enjoy the finer things in life without the crowds, then watching the fireworks from the Wither Hills is a must do!
The best view from the Wither Hills is up the Mt Vernon Track, where you park at the Redwood Street Gateway carpark and walk as far up the track as you want to. Walk over the bridge from the carpark and head over the cattle stop or gate and anywhere on the hill up on the right is the perfect spot.
We were surprised how busy it was when we went but everyone kept to themselves so it was nice and peaceful and we had the best view of the fireworks. We took a whole lot of fun glowsticks with us for the girls to wear and play with (headbands, earrings, bracelets and wands) which they LOVED and it was funny seeing these little lights moving around in the dark.
The best view from the Wither Hills is up the Mt Vernon Track, where you park at the Redwood Street Gateway carpark and walk as far up the track as you want to. Walk over the bridge from the carpark and head over the cattle stop or gate and anywhere on the hill up on the right is the perfect spot.
We were surprised how busy it was when we went but everyone kept to themselves so it was nice and peaceful and we had the best view of the fireworks. We took a whole lot of fun glowsticks with us for the girls to wear and play with (headbands, earrings, bracelets and wands) which they LOVED and it was funny seeing these little lights moving around in the dark.
Rolling Hills And Wavy Thrills
We found this super cool scooter and skate park near Wither Hills in Blenheim, right on Rifle Range Place, off Forest Park Drive. The girls had a blast on the crazy wavy course that takes you up and down like no other skate park. It's not your average one, for sure! Looks a bit like a work in progress though, with the grass inside not getting much love, so I'm not sure if they're planning to expand or if this is the finished product. Either way, it's a total blast for the kiddos, and the course is a real unique gem! It's a quiet area too, which we love, with the Wither Hills as a beautiful backdrop.
You can follow a gravel path from the carpark to the skate park, and there's plenty of grass to kick a ball around or set up a picnic.
Click here for the location on Google Maps.
You can follow a gravel path from the carpark to the skate park, and there's plenty of grass to kick a ball around or set up a picnic.
Click here for the location on Google Maps.
Eat And Pick Strawberries And Cherries Until You Turn Into One
Ok, ok this literally can't happen, but how good is it to go fruit picking and eat more than you probably put in the bags to buy? Blenheim has amazing soil for growing things, which is why there are so many vineyards here, and there are a few cherry orchards and strawberry fields where we love to go each summer to taste all the goodness.
The cherries have a short season which is generally from early December - early January. We love to go cherry picking at South Pacific Cherries which have the most amazing cherry trees with 99% of the cherries in perfect condition! In December 2023 we paid $16kg for the cherries we picked. Location: 67 Hammond Rd, Renwick
For strawberry picking and real fruit ice creams (mmm), we love Hedgerows because there is a shaded area to eat the ice creams and a few outdoor games to play. Location: 205 Old Renwick Road, Entrance on Rene Street, Blenheim
The cherries have a short season which is generally from early December - early January. We love to go cherry picking at South Pacific Cherries which have the most amazing cherry trees with 99% of the cherries in perfect condition! In December 2023 we paid $16kg for the cherries we picked. Location: 67 Hammond Rd, Renwick
For strawberry picking and real fruit ice creams (mmm), we love Hedgerows because there is a shaded area to eat the ice creams and a few outdoor games to play. Location: 205 Old Renwick Road, Entrance on Rene Street, Blenheim
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