"A crossroads for Ferry Travellers" Top 5 Page for this destination Picton by fishandchips

Picton Travel Guide: 76 reviews and 188 photos

Main st looking toward the Harbour - Picton

Central to the Marlborough Region

Picton is a small town that never really got going. It has its main street with various shops and cafes, the Interisland Ferry terminal and access to many walking tracks around Queen Charlotte Sound. Picton is an ideal homebase for the Marlborough region including Nelson, the Sounds, Blenheim and the fabulous wines of the area. Picton has a nice Golf Course (9 hole) at Koromiko which is also where the small Airport is located. You are also close to Havelock and its good fishing.

The place has been in slow decline for several years and currently is in need of a bit of a re-birth!!

Like to do a bit of Walking?

Essons

Queen Charlotte Sound has a very good walking track and there are a number of companies that do boat trips to the start of many places on the track. It's a good way to do a walk and get a bit of a cruise around the Sounds at the same time. Around Picton itself are a number of good tracks - Tirohanga Track and Snout Track are the two to choose from with the Tirohanga going up into Esson's Valley and finishing at a couple of different Dams - Barnes & Humphries. The view over Picton from Hilltop is very nice.

The Ferry Bringeth & the Ferry Taketh Away...

All aboard....

The mainstay of the Picton economy is on the Ferry. Be it Freight or passengers, much of Pictons cashflow results from people & produce moving between Islands. The trip takes just on 3 hours if you feel inclined to do so.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Small, friendly and close to many things
Cons:Not the most impressive welcome to the South Island
In a nutshell:A great place to relax

Last visit to Picton: Dec 2011
Intro Updated Dec 10, 2011
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Reviews (22)

Picton - Waikawa Bay Track Things to Do (8)

Running along the side of the Snout is the Picton - Waikawa Bay track. It's an easy walk and has stunning views over the... more travel advice

Fresh Baked Bread Restaurants (8)

The Bakerij is a bakery that sells very fresh and very yummy food. Everything from bread to filled rolls plus lots of... more travel advice

Snout Tracks from Waikawa Bay Rd - Picton

Mountain Biking Sports & Outdoors (3)

There are several options around Picton for the MTB enthusiast. A few tracks on the Snout are either shared or MTB only... more travel advice

Mini Golf Things to Do (8)

This was a fun diversion for a couple of people who had an hour to kill. The course is located by the small Picton Beach... more travel advice

Transportation (1)
Ferry to & from Wellington
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Comments (5)

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nixca316 Mar 16, 2007 at 9:51 PM

I nejoyed reading your things to do tips. Will be back for the others soon...
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swissballs Nov 29, 2005 at 4:22 PM

Excellent Picton page! I really enjoyed my visit here & also did some of the tracks :-)
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frankcanfly Nov 16, 2005 at 2:16 PM

I had GREAT fishandchips in Lyttleton! But I caught the ferry here.....
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pepples46 Nov 12, 2005 at 5:52 PM

very good Picton page
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kiwilingous Oct 13, 2005 at 8:09 PM

Don't forget to add photo's of your trip to Picton next month!!