Blenheim, New Zealand
Blenheim is a town in the northeast of the South Island of New Zealand. It is the administrative center of the unitary authority of New Zealand Marlborough and an estimated 25,500 inhabitants ( June 2011) also the largest city in the region. The place is located about 70 kilometers southeast of Nelson and is located in the center of one of the most important wine -growing regions of the country.
Character of the place
Because of its favorable climate with warm summers and cold winters and its very long for New Zealand sunshine duration developed in Blenheim and the surrounding area a successful wine industry, which has now become the most important wine-growing region of the country. About 30 wineries around Blenheim produce a variety of different wines stand out among those of Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. A particularly large influx of guests experiencing the city on the second weekend in February to Marlborough Food & Wine Festival.
Blenheim was after the Battle of Blenheim: named ( German Battle of Blenheim ), in 1704, the troops of John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough, victorious over the French and Bavarian soldiers. The original settlement was established in the Wairau plain at the confluence of the Taylor and Opawa River a swamp around. This is now drained. Seymour Square is located at its place with a park.
The region offers a variety of recreational opportunities: swimming with dolphins in the Marlborough Sounds, whale watching, hiking in the jungle and along the rugged coastline, boat trips, fishing, water-skiing and kayaking.
Climate
Traffic
Blenheim is located on the northern portion of the South Iceland Main Trunk Railway from Picton to Christchurch. The once-daily long-distance passenger train circulating TranzCoastal stops at the Blenheim station. Freight trains on the track in a strong dependence of the peak times of the ferry service between Picton and Wellington.
In addition, Blenheim branch the two main highways of the South Island, the State Highway 6 and State Highway 1, from each other and meet each other again only on the south coast in Invercargill.
To the west of Blenheim is located along the State Highway 6 just before the Renwick Marlborough Airport, from where domestic flights are possible. On the site there is also the Royal New Zealand Air Force Base Woodbourne, one of three bases of the RNZAF.
Sports
The selection team of the Rugby Union Province Association Tasman Rugby Union Tasman Makos carries out a part of their ITM Cup home games at Lansdowne Park, located in the north Blenheims.