About Picton

A visit to the top of the South Island should include a stop at the wonderful seaport town of Picton, the gateway to the Queen Charlotte Sound.

Queen Charlotte Sound makes up a fifth of New Zealand’s entire coastline.

Some ‘must do’ activities in the Picton area should include cycling the Queen Charlotte Track (one of the New Zealand Cycle Trail’s Great Rides), some sea kayaking, a dolphin safari to view or even swim with the dolphins, walk the Queen Charlotte Track (three to five days), dive and explore one of the largest diveable wrecks in the world – the Mikhail Lermontov, or charter a sailing boat and cruise the sounds – either bareboat or skippered if you prefer.

If you are visiting Picton on a cruise ship, there are many Shore Excursions to choose from.

Discover and book activities in Picton . . .

Eco Wildlife cruises:

Cruise majestic Queen Charlotte Sound and experience a range of rare and wonderful wildlife.

Queen Charlotte Sound:

Take a boat cruise and maybe enjoy a walk on the Queen Charlotte Track with a day trip on the spectacular Queen Charlotte Sound included.

Experience the Marlborough Sounds on the Magic Mail Run:

The Magic Mail Run is a fantastic way to explore the Marlborough Sounds. It is the only official NZ Post delivery service by boat in Queen Charlotte Sound.

Cruise Ship Shore Excursions in Picton:
Choose from a variety of Shore Excursions specifically designed and created for cruise ship passengers visiting Picton.

Visit Havelock and Abel Tasman:

The charming seaport town of Havelock is the ‘Greenshell Mussel capital’ of the world and the gateway to the Pelorus, Kenepuru and Mahau Sounds. You can savour the taste of Greenshell Mussels at a number of local cafes or enjoy these on the Greenshell Mussel Cruise.

You can cruise the Marlborough Sounds on the Pelorus Mail Boat or alternatively skipper your own boat on a guided safari. Away from the water, walk or bike the Nydia Track from Kaiuma Bay to Tennyson Inlet. If you are a movie fan you can even follow the path of Middle Earth’s dwarves and kayak through the location of their barrel scene from The Hobbit: the Desolation of Smaug.

A guided tour of Molesworth Station (New Zealand’s largest high country farm station) is both informative and spectacular and worth considering.

In the Abel Tasman you can walk the Cape Campbell Track or the Awatere Tussock Track. If you prefer biking, try Molesworth Road, part of the New Zealand Cycle Trails.

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