Queen Charlotte Sounds main launching point and Cook Strait Ferry South Island port
Picton there are plenty of things to do. Picton, Cook Strait Ferry port terminal is, too often a pitstop on the way South. The town offers glorious marine explorations from kayaking, walking Queen Charlotte track, mail boat cruises to nature reserves to visit. Due to the high number of transit visitors the town boasts of several art galleries for shoppers. There is a well regarded local museum and a historic shipwreck rounding out the Picton holiday experience.
WHAT TO DO, PICTON’S HIGHLIGHTS
- Queen Charlotte Track combines coves, campgrounds and native forest surrounded by views of inlets, estuaries and waterways
- Picton Heritage and Whaling Museum is a marvellous collection of local artefacts, photographs and documents relating to the area
- Local art galleries, The Diverson Gallery with paintings, drawings, sculpture and limited edition prints and Raukura Gallery with fine art prints, local artists and a wide range of giftware. Don’t we all love a cooperative, a collaborative art space, About Marlborough Creative Artisans is worth a look
- Mail Boat cruise is a must do activity for a leisurely in depth look at life living on the Marlborough Sounds
Art galleries and gift shops line the main street. A wander is a very good idea, browsing to see what is open, closed and emerging. Ferry traffic often uses Picton as a cafe break resulting in a number of eateries and dining choices marketing to tourist foot traffic.
The world’s oldest timber merchant ship, the Edwin Fox, sits in dry dock in Picton.
Queen Charlotte 71km track is surround sound coastal scenery with shared tracks and trails for cycling / walking. There is a network of cruise and pack tour operators taking the heavy work out of the lifting. Together with lodges, gourmet dining not everyone walking the track is eating cold baked beans out of a tin.
BEST TIME TO VISIT PICTON
Year Round
Art galleries, gift shops and a great museum are indoors when the weather isn’t great
PICTON’S FAME
PICTON’S FESTIVALS
- Picton Maritime Festival
- Queen Charlotte Classic, feeling fit join the fun Queen Charlotte Classic
THINGS TO TO FOR KIDS IN PICTON
- Hang out at the waterfront playground with recently acquired snacks watching the boats, the ferry and people watch
- Persuade adults to visit Edwin Fox nineteenth century timber merchant ship
- Visit during Picton Maritime Festival Trust
WHERE TO TAKE THE BEST SELFIE IN PICTON
- Picton sunrise / sunset with ferry arriving or docking at the wharf
- Queen Charlotte walk views
- Waterfront views
PICTON’S TOWN MOTTO
- Visit Picton
WHAT MAKES PICTON TICK
- Marlborough Port and tourism
PICTON’S POPULATION
- 4,310 (2018)
PICTON’S WEATHER
WHO TURNED UP AND NAMED PICTON?
- Picton was originally known as Te Wera a Waitohi. In 1850, the Te Āti Awa agreed to sell the land to Thomas Dillon on behalf of the New Zealand Company. Picton is named after Sir Thomas Picton, one of the Duke of Wellington’s comrades in arms who was killed during the Battle of Waterloo.
Every town adds to the richness of things to do and see. For more details about the region check Blenheim & Marlborough Region nearby attractions and events.
BEST BITS TRAVEL GUIDE
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