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Before you go
Your trip to Picton.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Picton – Marlborough Destination Marlborough about 28 km from Blenheim
How to get there
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Aeródromo de Picton (Koromiko) (PCN) Koromiko · 7 km
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Aeroporto de Marlborough (Woodbourne) (BHE) Blenheim · 30 km
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Terminal das balsas de Picton (Picton Ferry Terminal) 1 km
Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.
Ferries from Wellington arrive at Picton terminal, a few minutes’ walk from the town center, after about a 3.5-hour crossing. Koromiko aerodrome, roughly 7 km away, has short flights to Wellington. Long-distance buses link Picton with Blenheim, Nelson and Christchurch, and there is a seasonal tourist train to Christchurch; check whether it is running in advance.
How many days
One day is enough for the waterfront, the Edwin Fox and a boat trip on Queen Charlotte Sound. With two days, include a section of the Queen Charlotte Track, going out by boat and returning by boat. The full track takes three to five days.
When to go
From December to March, with long days and usually calm water in the sound, there are more boat departures and more transport for the track. In winter, June to August, boats run less often and some tours operate only by reservation.
The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.
Do you need a car?
Not necessary for the town, which is walked, nor for the Sounds, where everything is by boat. A car helps to continue to Blenheim, Nelson or Kaikōura and for the scenic Queen Charlotte Drive, which links Picton to Havelock along the edges of the sounds.
Suggested itinerary
An order that works
Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.
One day in Picton
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Morning
Waterfront and Edwin Fox
Start at the waterfront by the marina and visit the Edwin Fox, the 1853 wooden ship preserved in a dry dock, with a small museum beside it. Check boat times for the afternoon.
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Afternoon
Boat trip on Queen Charlotte Sound
Take a boat tour of Queen Charlotte Sound. Some boats stop at Meretoto (Ship Cove), where Cook anchored, and at Motuara Island, a bird reserve. Book ahead, especially in summer.
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Late afternoon
Snout Track
Climb the track that starts on the east side of the harbour and follows the Snout peninsula, with views over the sound and the ferries coming and going. Allow about 3 hours return to the point.
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Evening
Dinner on the waterfront
Finish on the street facing the sea, with restaurants serving green-lipped mussels and salmon farmed in the Sounds.
Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.
Before you go
Frequently asked questions
What to do in Picton?
Boat trips on Queen Charlotte Sound, sections of the Queen Charlotte Track, visiting the Edwin Fox and walks on the hills around the harbour such as the Snout Track. The town is small and serves as a base for the Marlborough Sounds.
Is the ferry terminal far from Picton town centre?
No. The terminal is on the harbour edge, a few minutes’ walk from the main street and the waterfront. Long-distance buses stop nearby.
Can you do just a section of the Queen Charlotte Track?
Yes. Boats from Picton drop off and pick up walkers at several bays along the track, allowing day sections. The section between Meretoto (Ship Cove) and Furneaux Lodge or Mistletoe Bay to Anakiwa are common choices. Confirm return times before you go.
Is it worth staying overnight in Picton?
Yes, if you arrive by ferry in the afternoon, want to take boat trips or start the Queen Charlotte Track early. Those just passing through often continue on to Blenheim, about 28 km away, or to Nelson.