Everything You Need to Know About Visiting Picton, New Zealand

Picton, New Zealand’s most attractive town, offers stunning views of the Marlborough Sounds, charming cafés, stylish restaurants, and art galleries along the harborfront, offering more than ferry services.

Here are some of the best things to do in Picton:

Queen Charlotte Track Hike

Queen Charlotte Sound and Kenepuru Sound are visible from Ship Cove to Anakiwa on the 75km Queen Charlotte track in New Zealand.

Drive Through Marlborough Sounds

Depending on how much driving and Marlborough Sounds you wish to see, you may travel the “arms’ that branch off these waterways. Stunning vistas from various angles await here in Marlborough Sounds tours from Picton. You can observe Queen Charlotte Sound and Kenepuru Sound from the road throughout much of this region. You can also drive to the French Pass and Bulwer, the Marlborough Sounds’ farthest accessible areas. Note that this region has few gas stations, so fill up when you can. 

Walk the Snout Track

Picton’s Snout Track offers stunning views of Queen Charlotte Sound, with various access points, including Queen Charlotte College, Shelly Beach/Bob’s Bay, and the Picton i-SITE Visitor Information Centre, providing maps of the walking trail’s entry locations and distances.

Enjoy Tirohanga Track (Hilltop Track) Views

The top of the Tirohanga Track offers a grand Picton vista. You can see Picton Marina, “The Snout” and Queen Charlotte Sound from there. You may observe an inter-island ferry. Starting at Newgate Street, a few minutes from town, the loop track takes roughly an hour round trip.

Visit Karaka Point and Beach

Karaka Point, a 15-minute walk from Picton, offers stunning views of Queen Charlotte Sound and a rocky beach with a beautiful view of surrounding islands, allowing visitors to get close to the ocean.

Wonder at Governor’s Bay

Governor’s Bay is a famous Marlborough Sounds picture spot. Visitors will be impressed by its azure seas and beautiful beach.

Have a Picnic at Shelly Beach

Shelly Beach is Picton’s nearest beach. You can easily navigate via the marina. It’s a lovely beach, which would be ideal for a picnic. If you have more time, you can continue along the coast or go up the bush track to reach Bob’s Bay.

Walk to Bob’s Bay

Walk to Bob’s Bay by taking the lower trail from Shelly Beach to the bush and hill or the top track, which overlooks the Bay and descends to a beach.

Marlborough Sound Cruise

Marlborough Sounds cruises offer various experiences, including wildlife-focused ones, where dolphins may be seen occasionally. 

Take the Picton-Wellington Ferry

Ferries from the South Island to the North Island are picturesque, 3.5-hour journeys via Queen Charlotte Sound and Cook Strait, offering stunning views of Picton and Wellington.

Explore Picton’s Town Centre

There’s enough to do in Picton in a few hours. Discover lovely cafés, trendy restaurants, and galleries on Picton’s harbourfront.

Eat Local Seafood and Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

Living near the water gives great seafood, Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, and access to Blenheim, where most vineyards and wineries are.

We hope our blog has inspired you to plan a trip to Picton. As you can see, we’ve only scratched what’s available to accomplish here. In fact, we suggest staying a few nights in Picton to enjoy everything the coast offers.

So, thanks for reading!