Routes · Oceania

Melbourne to Wellington and Marlborough

Melbourne → Wellington → Marlborough

A capital, a ferry & Sauvignon Blanc Best season (general guide): Nov–Apr

Wellington and Marlborough face each other across Cook Strait. This route spends three nights in Wellington and three in Marlborough. From Melbourne you'll fly to Wellington. Wellington, the capital, has a harbour, hills and cafés. Te Papa, the national museum, covers nature and Māori culture. The cable car climbs to the Botanic Garden. The Interislander ferry crosses Cook Strait to Picton through the Marlborough Sounds.

How to pace it: Spend days one to three in Wellington: day one, the waterfront; day two, Te Papa; day three, cable car and gardens. Then spend days four to six in Marlborough: day four, ferry to Picton; day five, Queen Charlotte Track; day six, vineyards near Blenheim.

The Queen Charlotte Track follows ridges and coves in the Sounds. Marlborough is New Zealand's largest wine region, known for Sauvignon Blanc.

Good to know: Book the ferry ahead. Wellington is often windy.

The city is compact, with the waterfront, Te Papa and the cable car within walking distance. In Picton, water taxis drop walkers along the Queen Charlotte Track, and luggage transfer is available. Mountain biking is allowed on parts of the track. Blenheim is a short drive from Picton, and cellar doors in the wine region open for tastings. Cycling between wineries is popular, and bikes can be hired locally. Book the ferry and accommodation ahead in summer.

Green-lipped mussels are a Marlborough speciality. Wellington's café culture is famous, with many independent coffee roasters. Zealandia, an eco-sanctuary close to the city, protects native birds behind a predator-proof fence. A night tour gives a chance to see kiwi and other nocturnal wildlife. In the Sounds, kayaking is a quiet way to explore the coves, with chances to see dolphins and seabirds. Leave one evening free for a waterfront dinner in Picton before the ferry back.

Practical notes: November to April is the best season. Wellington's airport is a short drive from the city centre, and buses run frequently. The ferry crossing to Picton takes a few hours, and it can be rough in bad weather.

Safety: Canada's advice for New Zealand is to take normal security precautions (updated 16 July 2026), and the US rates New Zealand Level 1 (29 Apr 2026).

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