Originally Posted by
jja34-1
Well don't expect the Grand Tetons but the valleys on the drive up from Wellington are amazing and the farmland near Marlborough reminded me of the valleys near Jackson.
I stayed at Wherekauhau (which, in my estimation is reasonable compared to many other luxury lodges in NZ) and drove in to Marlborough one day. I also spent one night and two days in Wellington to check out a few of the museums there and enjoy the lively area around the harbor.
You are confusing Martinborough (small town in Wairarapa with lots of nearby wineries famous for their reds) with Marlborough (region at top of South Island, a 3 hour ferry ride from Wellington with lots of nearby wineries most famous for whites). While both are close to Wellington, the scenery, access and wines are very different in each.