Marlborough and Nelson

The Marlborough Region is situated on the north-eastern corner of the South Island. Situated around Tasman and Golden Bays at the top of the South Island, the Nelson region is surrounded by sheltering mountain ranges, giving it a mediterranean type climate.

Marlborough and Nelson are known for their year-round sun. Marlborough being sheltered by nearby hills and mountains and is most famous for its vineyards, delicious food, scenic boat cruises and forest walks. While Nelson is famous for its golden beaches, three national parks, 350 working artists, boutique wineries and the city for its historical streetscapes, waterfront cafes, fresh seafood, and a thoroughly relaxed lifestyle.

Marlborough's major attraction is vineyard visits, wine tasting and cafes due to having the largest area of Vineyards in the country. To the north, however in the beautiful valleys of the Marlborough Sounds is a boating and fisherman’s paradise. Pristine beaches are found in the waterfront village of Picton where you can go cruising, sailing, diving and fishing. Or you may like to go on a scenic hike in one of Marlborough’s lush green parks.

Nelson offers safe silvery sand beaches for swimming, amazing craft trails so you can view artists work, and many magnificent national parks featuring sea, sky, rocky headlands, bright golden beaches, mountains, glaciated valleys, beach forests and beautiful jewel-like lakes.

Together, Marlborough and Nelson have something for everybody to enjoy.

The South Island is cooler than the North Island by a few degrees. Winter in New Zealand is from June to August and summer is from December to February. There are regional variations: It is quite warm and pleasant up in the Northland region at any time of the year. Higher altitudes are always considerably cooler, and it is usually windy in Wellington, which catches the winds whistling through the Cook Straight.

Snow is mostly seen in the mountains, although there can be snowfalls, even at sea level, In the South Island, particularly in the extreme south. Some of the plains and higher plateaus also receive snow in winter, notably the Canterbury plains and the high plateau around the Tongariro National Park, especially on the east side. Snow is seldom seen near sea level on the West Coast of either and not at all in the far north.

An important thing you must know about the New Zealand climate is that it is a maritime climate, as opposed to the continental climate typical of larger land masses. This means the weather can change with amazing rapidity.