We were a group of six in Marlborough wine region for a weekend and Lynn was our driver. She transferred us from the train in Blenheim to our hotel, toured wineries the next day, and got us to the Picton ferry terminal on Sunday. In short, she's the one you want. Safe driver, worked with us to find wineries that we would enjoy (and never would have found on our own), and was a pleasure to be around. By the time we left Sunday, it felt like we were saying goodbye to a good friend. When we go back to Marlborough, Marlborough Shuttle (tours) will be the folks we use.

Picton was one of four ports in New Zealand on our 17 night Australia and New Zealand cruise on the Radiance of the Seas. We had a short day in port, beginning at 1:00 and departing at 6:00 pm. It was also our first port so the process of getting off the ship for many was a new experience.

The Picton port is a working port with lumber everywhere so patience is needed in navigating the best place to wait for a tour shuttle. Our leader wisely suggested that the ten of us meet on the ship and proceed off the ship as a group. We also learned it is important to get in line early to depart as an independent group of cruisers.

The tour was arranged for a group of 10 by another cruiser. NIcci was our driver and tour leader. She packed a lot into the short afternoon, stopping at four wineries and a chocolate factory for a quick sweet sample. Nicci is knowledgeable about the area and its wineries and provides interesting and informative commentary throughout the tour. We would not hesitate to recommend Nicci and Marlborough Tours.

Our group of ten were on a cruise ship with a short stop in Picton (1:00 TO 6:00) and we wanted a personalized tour of the Marlborough wine region with as much as we could fit in the 4 hours available. After corresponding with Marlborough Tours I was convinced they were the best for the job.

Lynn picked us up shipside at 1:30 and we zoomed to Marlborough, before a few miles I knew we were going to have a good time. Our first stop was Seresin and by then Lynn seemed more like friend than a tour guide. We also visited Gibson Bridge, Wairau River, and Natutlius. Then I asked for specific winery (Huia) that wasn’t on her list, she called them and got us in. Lynn knew the region and the wineries.

She got us back to the ship a little around 5:20 , so in a little less than 4 hours we covered 5 wineries and made back to ship with time to spare. When we finally departed, it was like leaving one of traveling buddies behind.

I would highly recommend Marlborough Tours, and ask for Lynn (she and her husband own the company) and if you’re luck she’ll be availble.