Off the Mapp is located at historic Spray Point Station, in the upper Waihopai Valley in the Marlborough high country, within one hour’s drive from Blenheim, 80 minutes from Picton and only 40 minutes from some of the region’s famous wineries. The station occupies 2,000 hectares, with two valleys, mountains, 15km of riverbanks along two rivers, numerous creeks with moss covered stones and mini waterfalls… all just waiting to be discovered.

Directions

To reach Off the Mapp from Picton, Blenheim, Nelson, or Christchurch, follow State Highway 6 from Blenheim to Renwick, and turn onto State Highway 63 towards the West Coast. Then turn onto Waihopai Valley Road at Grove Mill Winery. Off the Mapp is 45 km up Waihopai Valley Road, on your right hand side. Please be aware that the last 7kms of road is unsealed gravel suitable for all vehicles.

Points of interest

Waihopai Valley Road starts in the wine region, passing vineyards including Grove Mill Winery and Spy Valley Wines. Both wineries have tasting rooms. From there, the road rises through a terrace and into the valley, where you will see the unusual ‘giant golf balls’ which give the valley its nickname – "Spy Valley". The road then travels through changing scenery with sweeping vistas, following at times the mighty Waihopai River.

Watch out for the Waihopai Power Station. Dating from the 1920s, this hydro power station was the most advanced in New Zealand at the time.

The Waihopai dam in flood, 1927.