Over to the South Island – Marlborough

The best bit about the 4am ferry ride to the South Island was arriving into the majestic Marlborough sounds at dawn.

Marlborough is statistically one of the sunniest regions in New Zealand, which makes it ideal for vineyards. We decided to take our own tour, by hiring bikes from Blenheim, and cycling to as many cellar doors as possible!

Olly managed to taste 25 wines in total! We enjoyed a gourmet platter lunch in a sunny courtyard, bought 4 wines to be enjoyed during the rest of our stay, and topped off a successful day at a small chocolate factory where they made an unusual macadamia brittle.

Sunny vineyards awaiting grapes

The piddled pedallers

Entering the sounds

Cellar door lunch

Pretty lanes to cycle home