Planning a trip to Picton and Blenheim
Getting There & Getting Around
By Plane -- Air service to Picton from Wellington is provided by Soundsair (tel. 0800/505-005 in NZ; www.soundsair.com). Air New Zealand Link (tel. 0800/737-000; www.airnewzealand.co.nz) flies into nearby Blenheim. The Picton Airport (also known as Koromiko Airport) is approximately a 10-minute drive from Picton's town center. The Blenheim Airport is 10km (6 miles) from the town center. Marlborough Shuttle Services (tel. 03/572-9910) provides airport and ferry transport in Picton and Blenheim.
By Train -- The TranzCoastal provides daily rail service between Picton and Christchurch. The trip takes about 5 1/2 hours. Contact Tranz Scenic (tel. 0800/872-467 in NZ; www.tranzscenic.co.nz) for more information.
By Coach (Bus) -- Coach service into both Picton and Blenheim is provided by InterCity (tel. 09/623-1503). The trip from Christchurch takes 5 hours; from Nelson, 2 hours. Picton, and Kaikoura farther south, are both included in the routes of Magic Travellers (tel. 09/358-5600) and Kiwi Experience (tel. 09/366-9830).
By Car -- Most rental-car companies request that you turn in one car in Wellington (on the North Island) and pick up a new one in Picton. However, you can take cars and campers on the ferry should the need arise. If you're driving from Nelson, the trip takes about 2 hours; from Christchurch, 4 to 5 hours.
By Ferry -- For timetables and information on the Interislander, call tel. 0800/802-802. For information on Bluebridge ferries, call tel. 0800/844-844.
Orientation
It's difficult to get lost in Picton. The town faces Queen Charlotte Sound and the small shopping area is centered on High Street. London Quay runs along the foreshore, with the ferry terminal at one end and the town wharf at the other.
Blenheim is not quite so straightforward, despite its small size. Its layout has always puzzled me and no matter how many times I visit, I always go around in circles. Be sure to pick up a map at the visitor center!
Visitor Information
The Picton i-SITE Visitor Centre, the Foreshore (tel. 03/520-3113; fax 03/573-5021; www.destinationmarlborough.com), is in the same building as the Department of Conservation (the latter only in the building Oct-Apr), and is open daily 8:30am to 6pm in summer, 8:30am to 5pm in winter. The Blenheim office is at the Railway Station, Sinclair Street, State Highway 1 (tel. 03/577-8080; fax 03/577-8079). It's open December to March from 8:30am to 6pm Monday to Friday, and weekends from 9am to 5pm; March to November, it's open weekdays from 8:30am to 5pm, and weekends from 9am to 3pm.
Other useful websites: www.marlborough.co.nz, www.picton.co.nz, and www.marlborough4fun.co.nz (for events listings).
Getting Around
Orientation
Blenheim is a small town with no traffic lights and just two local bus routes covering most of the city. Travel by hire car or bike in and around Blenheim itself, and take advantage of the Intercity buses that connect Blenheim to Picton, Nelson, and Christchurch. Taxis are available to book for short or long journeys.
By Bus
The Blenheim Bus’s two routes – North Route and South Route – operate Monday to Friday from 9am -3pm and cover a basic loop of the town. The North Route stops off at the I-site visitor centrer located at Blenheim Railway Station. Hop on at any stop. The fares are NZ$2 for adults, NZ$1 for children, and free for children 4 and under $1 a journey, adults $2. Under 5s free. Timetable and route map are available from the visitor’s centrer. Intercity provides several daily services from Blenheim to Picton/Nelson/Kaikoura and beyond from NZ$10 per person, bookable in advance from www.intercity.co.nz. Coaches leave from the I-site visitor centrer.
By Taxi
Taxis sometimes hover around Blenheim Station but booking in advance is recommended. Telephone Marlborough Taxis at (03) /577- 5511 for local journeys and daytrips. Blenheim Taxis (tel. 0800/802-225 or 03/578-0225) serves Blenheim, Picton, and the Sounds. It has cars, 10-seater vans, and a wheelchair hoist available.
By Water Taxi
Picton doesn't have a local bus system, but water taxis from the Cougar Line (tel. 0800/504-090 in NZ, or 03/573-7925; www.cougarlinecruises.co.nz) provide regular service throughout Queen Charlotte Sound. Endeavour Express (tel. 03/573-5456; www.boatrides.co.nz) also has regular service; or call West Bay Water Transport (tel. 03/573-5597; www.westbay.co.nz) each way.
More Information
www.intercity.co.nz
When to Go
Climate
Blenheim is one of New Zealand’s sunniest spots with around 2,500 hours of sunshine a year. Weather is mild year-round with few extremes. Summers tend to be warm and dry with temperatures averaging 24°C (75°F), although warm, dry winds can raise the temperature up to 36°C (97°F) on some occasions. Winters tend to be cool and frosty with bright, clear days and chilly nights, with lows around 2°C (36°F).
Calendar of Events
The Classic Fighters Omaka Airshow (www.classicfighters.co.nz) is held over three days every alternate Easter, with the next show happening in 2013. Classic fighter aircraft go head to head in the air while dramatic pyrotechnic displays re-enact explosions and missile hits.Blues, Brews & BBQs is held in February each year with a huge variety of beer, wine, and cider to sample; chefs showing off their barbecue skills using delicious local ingredients; and live blues music (www.bluesbrews.co.nz). The Marlborough Wine and Food Festival (www.marlboroughwinefestival.co.nz) is held the second weekend of February every year at historic Brancott Estate, featuring gourmet local produce like whitebait fritters and venison burgers, a huge array of local wines and beers, a fashion show among the vines, and live entertainment. The Forrest Graperide (www.graperide.co.nz) is a 101km (63 mile) cycle race held each autumn, starting and ending at the Forrest Estate in Renwick; the ride takes in Blenheim, Picton, and the stunning Queen Charlotte Sound.
