//
Town in Marlborough, New Zealand
Photo: Pseudopanax at English Wikipedia, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Picton is a small but important town in the beautiful Marlborough Sounds at the top of the South Island of New Zealand. The town is a major hub in New Zealand's transport network, linking the South Island road and rail network with ferries that cross Cook Strait to and from Wellington in the North Island. For many travellers, it's the gateway to the Marlborough and Nelson Bays regions. It serves as a base for exploring the Marlborough Sounds, with nearby activities that include sailing, SCUBA diving to the wreck of the Soviet passenger cruise ship Mikhail Lermontov, fishing, biking and hiking.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
The tourist information centre
Built in 1853, the Edwin Fox is the 9th oldest ship in the world and is being restored.
Waikawa Bay is a suburb of Picton where the majority of the region's private yachts and power boats are moored. A 10-min walk begins at the car park and passes the site of a Maori pa (fortified village) before a lookout and stony beach.
Model railroad with elevated track: 21.5, 31.5 and 5 in gauges, boat pond.
Between Picton and Waikawa Bay is a peninsula covered in a mixture of native and exotic bush. Tracks range from a few minutes to 3½ hr. Cross the bridge at the eastern end of the Picton foreshore. The tracks begin at the foot of the hill. The Marlborough District Council produces a map available from the tourist information centre.
The mail boat
Runs a variety of tours, including dolphin, whale and bird watching tours.
2007 New Zealand Tourism Award Winner. Mountain biking, kayaking, walking the Queen Charlotte Walkway. Tours or freedom hire.
This is a great way to meet genuine Kiwis and everyone is welcome.
Great place to eat breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Small funky cafe. Good coffee.
Great food breakfast, lunch or dinner. Large selection of local wines are beers, often organic food and sometimes a live music scene in the evenings.
Dutch bakery selling European-style sandwiches, breads and cakes.
Has one of the best pints of Guinness in the southern hemisphere.
4-6 bed dorms, twin rooms and double rooms, some ensuite.
A converted early 20th-century boutique character home. It has a garden with a spa pool.
Quiet 5-star motel accommodation with king beds, spa baths, SKY TV, wireless internet.
Hotel and Whalers Bar and Restaurant (mains around $40).
At Evolve
Boutique art gallery dealing in New Zealand art, art jewellery, NZ art gifts and photography from Marlborough and New Zealand.
Coin based laundry shop. Only $2 coins are supported but there is a machine to change coins. Hot and warm washing available. There is also a big washer for heavy duty washing.
By plane
By train
By bus
There are bus and shuttle services that connect with the ferry sailings travelling to Christchurch via Kaikoura, Nelson via Havelock and one shuttle to Fox Glacier via Murchison and Greymouth.
By car
State Highway 1 connects Picton with Blenheim (28 km; 23 minutes) and from there the rest of the South Island.
By boat
Queen Charlotte Sound is largely inaccessible by road, and many parts rely on boat transport. Water taxis depart from the Picton Town Wharf, on London Quay at the top end of Wellington St.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Blenheim · Regional · BHE
Loading places around the airport…
Articles and travel topics about Picton (New Zealand) and New Zealand.
Travel tipsCompare and apply for the Australia ETA and New Zealand NZeTA in 2026. Step-by-step mobile app guides, fees, the IVL levy, and trans-Tasman rules.
8 min read
InspirationThe best places to visit in January for winter sun, deep powder snow and wildlife, comparing Niseko, Sri Lanka, Tromsø and New Zealand.
7 min read
Travel tipsFive countries where women travelling alone find safe streets, easy transport and a warm welcome, with practical advice for each one.
7 min read
Culture & historyWhere to stand, what it costs and when to go for five of the most famous filming locations on screen, from King's Landing to Arrakis.
7 min read
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.