At the heart of the Classic New Zealand Wine Trail, Martinborough is a charming historic community surrounded by bountiful family-owned vineyards, famed for producing some of world’s best pinot noir. A brilliant destination for wine lovers and foodies, the area is also a favourite amongst keen walkers, riders and cyclists. Accommodation options include heritage hotels as well as chic resorts, with the best places to stay in Martinborough priding themselves on offering top-notch regional food and wine. Perfect for a dream holiday!
Just an hour from Wellington, Martinborough has a lovely, laid-back vibe. Begin your explorations in the quaint village square, and pop into trendy cafés, eateries and boutiques as you wander around. Many of the surrounding wineries also boast excellent restaurants, ideal for sampling seasonal produce with a glass or three of homegrown wine. Join a guided Martinborough Gourmet Wine Tour, or hop on a bicycle and follow self-guided maps indicating the trails which weave between dozens of vineyards. Keen hikers will enjoy the ancient rock formations of the Patuna Chasm Walk, or discovering Ngawi and the dramatic South East Coast of Tora. The Cape Palliser Lighthouse is well worth the journey, and fishing on Lake Ferry is great fun!
Annual festivals include Toast Martinborough, the Music Festival, the Harvest Festival and the Martinborough Fair. Book your trip well in advance if travelling at these times, as the best places to stay in Martinborough tend to fill up fast.