The Marlborough District.

Gateway to the South Island!

About the area

Aerial view

From the Marlborough Sounds in the north to the Nelson ranges in the southwest, the Marlborough District contains some of the most diverse scenery in New Zealand. The Peppertree luxury accommodation just outside the town of Blenheim offers some of the region’s finest 5 star rated hotel accommodation. Read on and discover a little about the Marlborough region to enhance your stay at our small luxury hotel in sunny Blenheim.

Marlborough

The greens, blues and golds of the Marlborough landscape reflect the profound pleasures to be found in the wine capital of New Zealand.

With 40% of the nation’s vineyards and an international reputation for it’s dazzling cool-climate Sauvignon Blanc’s and other rising stars- including Pinot Noir and Riesling – the province is becoming a magnet to wine lovers, tourists and investors.

The largest area of wine activity is the Wairau Valley, a broad plain edged by the dark, blue Richmond Ranges to the North and the tawny flanks of the Wither Hills in the South. Rows of grapevines march across the landscape here as well as in the neighbouring Awatere Valley where the snow capped Mt Tapue-o-nuku stands sentinel.

The fertile alluvial soils which make Marlborough wines so special and also grow cherries, garlic, olives and other prime produce, were deposited by the Wairau and Awatere Rivers which continue to provide much needed irrigation. From the mountains, the Wairau weaves across the plains while the Awatere has cut deeply into soft papa rock as it flows to the East Coast of the South Island, where Pacific waves pound the rocky shoreline.

There are many organised tourist activities, but you can also create your own experience of Marlborough’s environment. For example; tasting the fruits of the surrounding earth served up with a dollop of city sophistication at relaxed cafes and wineries, cycling from vineyard to vineyard, walking beside the picturesque Taylor River, climbing the Wither Hills for views across the Wairau Valley, Cloudy Bay and to the North Island or strolling in the newly refurbished towns of Blenheim, Picton and Havelock where hustle and bustle are a world away. Enjoy all of Marlborough and the best of New Zealand with a luxurious stay at our 5 star small luxury hotel.

The Marlborough Sounds in the north are a complete contrast to inland Marlborough. This most popular New Zealand resort of ancient drowned river valleys creates a landscape of hidden bays and bush-clad hillsides lapped by the gleaming sea. The beauty, serenity and rejuvenating powers of this timeless landscape can be appreciated through bush walking, boating or simply enjoying the views and ambience. The Marlborough Sounds are just a short drive from The Peppertree luxury accommodation and if possible should be included in any Marlborough travel itinerary.

Further South, on the East Coast, the town of Kaikoura perches on a rocky peninsula beside one of the natural wonders of the world – the Kaikoura Canyon which slices one kilometre through the continental shelf surrounding New Zealand. Here deep sea trenches team with a rich variety of marine flora and fauna including whales, dolphins and crayfish.

Marlborough wines earned $188 million in the last year but the optimism and growth in the province is even more diverse and broad based. Tourism ($130 million p/a), pastoral farming ($114 million p/a ) mussels ($90 million p/a) and forestry ($50 million p/a) are all prospering and there are many opportunities to invest in a piece of the action.

This region of the South Island basks in more than 2400 sunshine hours per annum. Awash with sun and a wonderful quality of light, the mellow landscape encourages a relaxed and deeply satisfying lifestyle. This relaxed Marlborough lifestyle is one of the best to be found in New Zealand and is certainly promoted at the Peppertree, a small luxury hotel in the heart of it all.

Marlburians are people of the land. Living and working in such a magnificent climate and environment means they have a healthy respect for nature and while they may achieve excellence, nationally and internationally, they remain firmly rooted in the rich, plentiful Marlborough soil. Why not spend a few days exploring the area and treat yourself to a stay at our small luxury hotel in Blenheim?

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