Picton

Picton is located in one of the sunniest parts of New Zealand, the top of the South Island, a quaint port town nestled deep in the Marlborough Sounds.

Picton connects the South Island to its northern counterpart by sea, the Interislander and Bluebridge ferrys both leave for Wellington on a regular basis. You can drive onto the ferry or simply walk on. The trip follows a stunning cruise through the Marlborough Sounds and out into Cook Strait before turning into Wellington Harbour.

Situated at the head of Queen Charlotte Sound, Picton is the gateway to the greater Marlborough Sounds area, which offers great opportunities for fishing trips or a getaway holiday in its secluded bays, many of which can only be accessed by boat. The calm waters of the sounds are excellent for kayaking, and the stunning vistas of the Queen Charlotte Track can be experienced on a 3 to 5 day tramp. For something a bit different hire a mountain bike, the trip takes about 13 hours.

While in the township, enjoy the gardens on the foreshore, or learn about Queen Charlotte Sound’s whaling past at Picton Museum.