Nelson to Blenheim Road Trip: The Scenic Drive and Best Stops
Your Nelson to Blenheim Road Trip: A Scenic Drive Through Marlborough
The Nelson to Blenheim drive is a short but sweet scenic ride at the head of the South Island, coasting east from Nelson to the wine-lovers’ paradise in Blenheim. This may not be the most extensive road trip on offer in Aotearoa but it sure is a beauty. At 120km, you’ll experience a winding network of roads wriggling through Mount Richmond Forest Park heading south through Havelock to the rural town of Blenheim where you can enjoy the many vineyards on offer on a crisp Autumn afternoon. We are located in Nelson and Blenheim, so you can grab a Nelson car rental and take this road trip in either direction with us – or, for groups, book van hire in Nelson to travel together.
To make a road trip memorable, there have to be a few steps between A and B. So, we’ve put together a top-tier list of stops to set out for on your way out of Nelson. Here are the best picks from Nelson to Blenheim.
The Nelson to Blenheim Drive: 120km of Marlborough Scenery
The full Nelson to Blenheim drive runs about 120km on State Highway 6, winding through Mount Richmond Forest Park and past Havelock before opening out into the vineyards of Marlborough. It makes an easy day trip, but the stops below are worth stretching it into a Marlborough road trip of a few days. For more itinerary ideas across the country, browse our New Zealand road trips .
Cable Bay Adventure Park
you can try quad biking, paintballing, archery, and much more! All the best adventure sports providers in the area have come together to open this massive adventure park – the largest in the region.
Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve
The Pelorus walking trails are far from perilous. Enjoy multiple tracks through native forest to ancient river terraces formed thousands of years ago. Our favourite walk is the Instagrammable Elvy Waterfalls Track which takes you to not one but two super waterfalls. It takes approximately two hours to complete and crosses a little stream so be ready to get your feet wet.
Havelock Museum
It’s hard to pick one thing to do in the small historic town of Havelock as you could easily spend a full day here eating Greenshell Mussels and exploring all the nooks and crannies of Havelock. With the Autumn chill here to stay and some outdoorsy stuff above, why not warm your cockles in a disused church that now plays home to the museum featuring machinery from the late 19th century gold rush.
Blenheim Wineries and Cellar Doors
When you finally set anchor in sunny Blenheim after a road trip lasting a few hours or a few days, it’s likely you’ll be desperate for some good food and wine. The good news is Blenheim has no shortage of either. We suggest stopping by one of the many cellar doors and restaurants, such as Brancott Estate, for a drop of wine and a tremendous meal with local ingredients and lots of flair.
Car and Van Hire in Nelson for Your Road Trip
The best way to enjoy a road trip is with an affordable vehicle from NZ Rent A Car with roadside assistance providing a clean and comfortable ride. Pick up a Nelson car rental for a couple, or choose van hire in Nelson for a group heading to the wineries together. Contact us today to book a car in Nelson.
