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Marlborough Recreational Activities

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Marlborough offers an extensive range of recreational activities to suit a wide range of lifestyles. Marlborough's main recreational activities can be summed up as the three 'Ws', wine, water, and wilderness. The local wine industry provides the environment for a wide range of wining and dining experiences, while the sparsely populated but spectacular natural environment provides plenty of outdoor recreation activities, with Mount Richmond Forest Park alone larger than most of New Zealand's national parks. There are also numerous other smaller areas of conservation estate with tramping, mountain biking, and hunting opportunities.

The 'water' part of the three ws is the Marlborough Sounds, an extremely popular destination for recreational activities both on and off the water, with fishing, kayaking, tramping, camping and cycle racing, just some of the activities that take place.

Marlborough Aeroclub Piper Tomahawk in action at Healthy Bastards bush flying competition.

Aviation

Marlborough has always boasted a strong interest in aviation, and there are a variety of activities available.

White faced heron, Marlborough Sounds

Birding

The Marlborough region offers excellent opportunities for birding, with a wide variety of species including indigenous and introduced birds in a variety of habitats.

Camping is a classic part of Kiwi lifestyle

Camping in Marlborough

List of some of the popular campsites in Marlborough, with facilities and locations.

Black Birch Stream

Cycling

Marlborough offers a range of tracks, trails and events for both road and mountain bike riders.

A miniature American shepherd in the Taylor River Reserve

Dog Activities in Marlborough

Information about dog activities, breeds, exercise locations, and organisations in Marlborough, New Zealand

Blenheim Golf Course

Golf

The Marlborough region boasts a particularly high number of golf courses per capita.

Ballinger Park, Riversdale

Parks and Reserves

The Marlborough region has a wealth of parks and reserves suitable for a wide range of activities, from sports, to picnics to outdoor pursuits.

Two Fokker Triplanes in formation at Classic Fighters 2007

Marlborough Events

Marlborough hosts a range of recurring events from the Wine Festival every summer, to Blues and Brews, to the Biennial Classic Fighters Airshow.

Skiing

During the winter months the Rainbow Skifield provides recreation for those people who like to head for the slopes.

Archer Track near Penzance Bay

Tramping and Walking

Marlborough provides many opportunities for tramping and hiking from short, easy day trips to long expeditions requiring a high level of fitness and experience.

Highfield Estate Winery

Wine Tasting

Marlborough is renowned for its sauvignon blanc, with numerous wineries open to the public to sample their wine.

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