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After a few days exploring around the eastern coast of New Zealand, I made a concious decision to head up a little more north into one of the more popular regions of the South Island. The reason why this region, being the Marlborough region is popular is plain and simple because of an alcoholic beverage that they produce in vast quantity to an extraordinarily high quality. This beverage is nothing less than wine. Whether it because Sparkling White or perhaps a Sauvignon Blanc for the more refined pallet, Marlborough in the last decade has taken a major step forward on the global stage when it comes down to this lascivious beverage, having won some major awards at such events like the Paris show, which for wines there is no higher honour possible.
And in the Marlborough region, there is one town that reigns supreme, where a vast majority of the wineries are located either in or close proximity to, and this place is my next stop. The rather small town of Blenheim. A township of only 20,000 approximately, Blenheim is a must visit destination, especially if you are a wine connoisseur as the chances of doing wine tasting amongst some
world class vineyards is far too good to pass. This is only scratching the surface of why Blenheim deserves a lot of credit of being a major draw card for tourists. To begin with for those who are backpacking their way around New Zealand, Blenheim with its proximity to vineyards offers plenty of job opportunity working at said wineries. Usually the jobs on offer are going to be physically demanding and chances are will be for minimum wage, but it is an experience that I strongly believe everybody should experience at least once in their lives. Even I put my hand to pruning in the vineyard, and the warning about it being a physically taxing job definitely came to fruition. I have never been soo thankful that another better paying job elsewhere emerged, because it is not really a job I could see me doing for a long stretch of time.
For those whom can't overlook living in the lap of luxury. Blenheim also has you covered with brilliant country lodging amongst the wineries in the area. Stellar accommodation, with beautiful views of the grapevines being greeted by the slow rising sun, in a beautiful orange hue that coats
the horizon. As well as having the chance to sit at high class oak tables, sipping on the regions most prized wines whilst eating some high class Beef or Lamb, with seasonal vegetables all the while watching the sun set over the Richmond Ranges, which are the mountain ranges near the Marlborough sounds to the north of the town. It is fair to say that whether you are saving every penny or willing to splash some cash the wonderful town in the much renowned Marlborough region will leave an indelable impression, which will create a desire to return and further explore this beautiful area.
Next lets take a small observation on what is potentially on offer for the adventure traveller, specifically those who enjoy experiencing the great outdoors, Blenheim is a real surprise packet. At the end of Redwood street you come to excellent hiking trails and Mountain Bike trails through the Wither Hills area. The trails take you through the hills that overlook the town and offer exceptional panoramic views of the city and the mountains in the background, as well as the beauty of the Marlborough sounds and even a glimpse of the northern Island if the
weather is clear enough from the top of Mt Vernon. This track in particular is the one that I suggest people do. You can either walk the direct track or the longer, more scenic loop track. Both are rather difficult walks and a bit of warning specifically tailored to those living in Adelaide. If you think that the hike from Waterfall Gully up to the top of Mount Lofty is hard. Well in comparison, that is a simple, leisurely stroll in the park compared to the ascent of Mount Vernon. At times the gradient become very steep and if it has been wet in the previous few days the trail will be rather slippery in parts, and very muddy in other parts. Both of these complications will ensure that your thighs are burning and that a very good and comprehensive workout will be achieved. If you think that I am joking and you are in Blenheim, attempt the walk and then tell me if I am overselling it. But to be fair most of the time I decided to run up it and this probably multiplied the pain that I experienced, but the enjoyment I got out of doing the
run made it well worth while.
After the sheer exhaustion of the walk, the best thing you can do to ease the build up of lactic acid in your muscles is to have a gentle stroll along the river. In two different directions, you can follow the river further into the hills, along the Quail Stream trek or back to the city. Just a friendly warning, ensure you are wearing decent shows because depending on the level of rainfall, the points at where you cross the streams may be rather wide. So you may have no other option than to wade into get across to the other side. Take my word on that because one of the days I was wearing inappropriate footwear and felt the wrath of wet socks for the rest of the day, and that is not very comfortable, especially during the colder winter months.
Having walked along the trail you will now be back in the city and this would be the perfect time to explore the hidden gems that lie within the city centre.
Immediately one place springs to mind that every visitor should visit, Seymour Square. Complimented beautifully through the wonderfully maintained lawns and garden, the square is somewhat of a central meeting point of the city with a large fountain in the centre. But the most striking and regal entity in the square is the large pearl white clock tower that dwarfs over everything else in the area. Blenheim is a small country town and doesn't have a lot of large buildings so, when you are in the area, it is very hard to miss this obelisk of sorts. After checking out the square, venture into the paved streets of the city centre. The first thing that you will notice is that the streets have been designed purposively to suit pedestrian traffic more than motor vehicles. This reminds me of small towns in the Netherlands, and gives it the feel that it would be perfectly suited for those who decide to travel around via push bikes. Footpaths have plenty of plant life and monuments to keep it from feeling particularly bland. Another thing you will notice around the city centre in Blenheim is the prominence of street art, it is almost everywhere
you turn. Murals of children playing to a more alien scene depicting many blue people. One mural that everybody should enjoy is one the riverbank on the wall of an olden style mill of some description. It displays a symphony of different animals, as well as visual representations of what makes Blenheim noteworthy.
But in my opinion the nicest of all the buildings that you will see throughout all of Blenheim is also the first building you are likely to see if you arrive via bus, the old railway building. There was a time where this may have been considered one of the most important buildings throughout all of Blenheim. Today it has a small 'for lease' sign hanging in one of the windows. This does take a little of the shine off this building, but overall, like many other Railway stations in New Zealand, it is of grand design (well for a small country town at least in this case). It is well worth a small look around, after all you may as well because it is right by the information centre for the town.
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