The town of Picton is pretty as a postcard, situated around a sheltered harbour and attractive seafront, with plenty of galleries, cafes and restaurants, perfect for lazily whiling away a day. The town is also home to an aquarium, a floating maritime museum, as well as The Queen Charlotte Track, a 71km walk popular with visitors and locals alike.
Picton is easily one of the prettiest towns in New Zealand and has grown from a quaint fishing village into a world-class tourist destination, surrounded by pristine coastline and the Marlborough Sounds. Picton is simply stunning.
Take a Hike
Picton is so picturesque, it’s just begging to be explored. And there’s no better way to do it than to get out walking or hiking in the open air. Whether you’re after a short walk to a beach, or a hike to higher ground overlooking the impressive Marlborough Sounds, you’ll find trails and tracks to keep you busy in Picton.
The Victoria Domain, which is accessed by crossing the Picton Marina bridge, contains numerous hikes to various beaches and bays, and leads all the way to the end of the peninsula, which is known as The Snout. Essons Valley, which is just behind Picton, has tracks to viewpoints overlooking Picton Harbour and beyond. A walk up here is well worth the view. The most popular walk in Picton is undoubtedly the The Queen Charlotte Track, a 71km trail that can be completed over the course of a few days.
Wander Through Wine Country
Picton is located in an area with an enviable climate – where an unmistakable feeling hangs in the air, a combination of perfect weather and the fresh ocean climate. This is also the reason why wine flourishes here. And when you come to Picton, exploring the wineries is an absolute must. Sauvignon Blanc is Marlborough's specialty, but Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Cabernet Sauvignon are also produced and held in high regard. Grab a designated driver and a wine trail map, then set out to explore this dazzling corner of the world with your heart and palate.
See Marlborough Sounds
Accounting for 150km of New Zealand's coastline, the Marlborough Sounds are a collection of ancient river valleys, which have been drowned by the waters of the mighty Pacific Ocean. Rocks covered in dense forest rise steeply from the sea to form an intricate coastline of sheltered inlets and beautiful bays. To truly go off grid, take a multi-day hike along the Queen Charlotte Track. For those with a little more cash to splash, luxurious isolation exists here, with some remote boutique accommodation only accessible by boat or helicopter.
Several of the islands within the sounds are havens for native wildlife, while others provide the perfect opportunity for kayaking and hiking, with numerous tent camping sites available along the way.
The Edwin Fox Museum
This maritime museum is based around the world’s second-oldest surviving merchant ship – and the only surviving ship that transported convicts to Australia, The Edwin Fox.
Today, her hull is preserved in the museum and serves as a fascinating reminder of the history of exploration, empire and England’s colonial regime. The Edwin Fox began life in India, before becoming a merchant ship, and then carrying troops to the Crimean War, and finally transporting colonists to Australia. The ship is now permanently moored undercover in Picton, where visitors can explore the decks and step down into its timber hull to see the workmanship that went into building this piece of history.
