🚢Cruise Port Guide to Picton, New Zealand
Welcome to Picton!
Table of Contents:
* Picton Information
* Picton Weather
* Picton Cruise Terminals
* Getting Around
* Marlborough Sounds Tours
* Marlborough Winery Tours
* What to See and Do in Picton
* Walking Tracks Around Picton
* What to See and Do in Blenheim
* Picton's Best Art Galleries and Museums
* Fun Things to Do in Picton with Kids
* Picton Tourist Map
* Picton i-SITE Information
* Where to Find Free Wi-Fi in Picton
* Supermarkets and Grocery Stores in Picton
Picton Information
Picton's Māori Name:
Picton's Māori name is Waitohi (pronounced Why-taw-hee). Waitohi means wai (water), and tohi (rite), in reference to the ceremony or ritual of warriors before they went into battle.
Population:
Picton's population is small port town at just under 5,000, but can double in the summer months, especially when cruise ships are in port.
History:
In the early 19th century, Picton was home to whaling stations, a major industry in New Zealand at the time, contributing to the town's early economy before it shifted to tourism.
Today, Picton serves as the South Island terminal for both the Interislander and Bluebridge ferries, which connect the town to Wellington across the Cook Strait. The ferry ride is considered one of the most scenic in the world.
Geography:
The Marlborough Sounds are made up of 3 sounds (Queen Charlotte, Pelorus and Kenepuru) and accounts for one-fifth of New Zealand's coastline! An interesting fact about the Marlborough Sounds is that they are actually drowned river valleys formed by the sea flooding the rivers as the land sank due to tectonic activity.
Picton is located at the head of Queen Charlotte Sound in the Marlborough region, on the northeastern tip of New Zealand’s South Island. The town is surrounded by steep, forested hills and deep blue waters.
Blenheim is located approx 27km south of Picton and home to the famous Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc.
Currency:
New Zealand Dollar (NZD), Most places accept credit cards.
Language:
English is the primary language in New Zealand, but Māori is also an official language, and you'll encounter plenty of Māori place names and cultural references throughout the city.
Time Zone:
New Zealand Standard Time (NZST) and observes daylight saving time.
Emergency Services:
The emergency services number in New Zealand is 111 for police, fire, and medical emergencies.
Tipping:
Tipping is not expected in New Zealand but appreciated for exceptional service.
Picton Weather
Picton's weather is indeed changeable, much like other parts of New Zealand, due to its maritime climate.
However, Blenheim, just 25 km away, is known for being one of New Zealand's sunniest places, often claiming the highest annual sunshine hours.
Picton Cruise Terminals
Picton has two berthing options, Waimahara Wharf in Shakespeare Bay or Waitohi Wharf. If you are travelling on a smaller ship, like Seabourn, Windstar or Oceania etc you’ll dock right in the township. However, most of the ships will dock at Waimahara Wharf in Shakespeare Bay and there are free shuttles into Picton town.
Cruise Ship Schedule:
Getting Around
* Taxi / Shuttles
* Water Taxi
Marlborough Sounds Tours
The Marlborough Sounds boast more than 1,500 kilometres of coastline! The Sounds were formed by ancient river valleys that were flooded by rising sea levels, creating a network of winding waterways, bays, and islands.
Marlborough Winery Tours
Marlborough is world-famous for its Sauvignon Blanc, producing some of the best in the world. If you want to visit New Zealand’s premier wine region for it, Marlborough is hard to beat and it's just a short drive from the port of Picton.
The Marlborough region is filled with stunning vineyard landscapes, rolling hills and the distant sounds, and there is a mix of large, well-known wineries as well as some small, boutique vineyards.
What to See and Do in Picton
Picton is a small, walkable town, and the cruise terminal is very close to the town centre, so you won’t need much time to explore the key sights.
Just steps from the cruise terminal, you can stroll along the waterfront, enjoy the beautiful harbour views, and perhaps grab a coffee or ice cream.
For a quick dive into local history, you could pop into the museum and learn about Picton’s past, including its connection to whaling and maritime history.
If you feel like a light walk and some lovely views, you could head up to Victoria Domain, which offers great vantage points over Picton and the Queen Charlotte Sound.
* Picton Memorial Park
Picton Memorial Park was established in the early 1920s as a memorial to soldiers who served in World War I. Enjoy a stroll along the waterfront and watch boats come and go. There are several cafes and shops nearby to explore.
* Markets on Cruise Ship Days
These markets are generally set up on cruise port days. You'll find a variety of local crafts, food, and souvenirs,
* Edwin Fox Museum
The Edwin Fox is the world’s 9th oldest surviving ship, built in 1853. It’s one of the few ships from the 19th century still in existence. The museum is dedicated to the Edwin Fox and includes exhibits about its history, including its voyages and modifications over the years.
* Picton Heritage and Whaling Museum
The Picton Heritage and Whaling Museum is relatively small compared to larger museums. Despite its size, it packs a lot of history and interesting exhibits into its space, focusing on local maritime heritage and the history of whaling.
* High Street
The main street in Picton is High Street. It's a central thoroughfare where you'll find many of the town's shops, cafes, and services.
Walking Tracks in Picton
If you're looking to stretch your legs and escape the crowds while enjoying nature and scenic views, Picton offers several excellent walking options:
* Victoria Domain
Victoria Domain has a network of trails that weave through native bush and offer stunning views over Queen Charlotte Sound, the Picton harbour, and surrounding hills. You can choose shorter walks like the Shelley Beach Track or go for longer hikes deeper into the domain. Trails lead to scenic lookouts and secluded spots like Bob’s Bay or further to the Snout Track if you’re feeling adventurous and have the time.
* Bob's Bay Beach
This scenic walk starts at the Picton foreshore and follows a well-formed coastal path along the waterfront, winding through native bush and offering lovely views of the Sounds. At the end, you’ll reach Bob’s Bay, a small and tranquil beach area perfect for taking a break and enjoying the view. It’s a great option if you're looking for a manageable walk that offers a bit of solitude and natural beauty, without venturing too far from town. There are toilet facilities at the beach.
* Tirohanga Track
The Tirohanga Track offers fantastic panoramic views of Picton, the harbor, and Queen Charlotte Sound. The track starts close to the town center and takes you through native bush to a viewpoint at the top, where you'll be rewarded with sweeping vistas. It can be a challenging walk up and at times the path is very narrow.
What to See and Do in Blenheim
A trip to Blenheim is ideal if you're particularly interested in aviation or wine. You could make your own way to Blenheim to explore the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre, if aviation history excites you, and then enjoy lunch at a winery. If you're interested in the wineries, it would be more convenient to do this on a tour from Picton.
* Omaka Aviation Centre
The centre showcases an impressive collection of World War I and World War II aircraft, including some rare and historic planes and aircraft from filmmaker Peter Jackson’s personal collection.
* High Street
Another original name for the main street where you'll find shopping, dining, and various services.
* Seymour Square
The square is surrounded by pretty gardens and flower beds. The square features a 16.5-metrer high historic stone clock tower, built in 1928 to honour those who died in World War I.
* Marlborough Museum
This museum celebrates New Zealand’s wine industry with detailed exhibits on its history and development. It's located within Bradshaw Heritage Park, which includes a collection of transported Victorian buildings.
* Marlborough Library and Art Gallery
This purpose-built facility also houses a café, teen lounge and children's library.
Things to Do in Picton with Kids
* Picton Playground
The Picton Playground is right on the waterfront and well set up for families. It has a pirate ship climbing structure, swings, and a splash pad. there is also a miniature train ride operated at certain times of the year, a mini golf course and merry go round!
* Shelly Beach
Shelley Beach is about a short walk from the port. Simply walk along the waterfront and continue towards the marina. Follow the walking path along the shoreline, and you’ll reach Shelly Beach.
There are toilets, picnic tables and shaded areas where you can relax and enjoy the views over Queen Charlotte Sound and this is the starting point for various walking tracks into Victoria Domain and to Bob's Bay Beach.
* Walnut Ranch Petting Zoo
At Walnut Ranch, kids can feed and cuddle the animals, enjoy a pony ride, try gem fossicking at the gold mine and explore the old western town of Little Nut Creek.
Other Useful Information
* Picton Tourist Map
* Picton i-SITE Visitor Centre
If you haven't prebooked a tour then you might want to pop into this i-SITE to see what is available, or to get a map of the town (not that you really need one).
* Free Wi-Fi in Marlborough
You can connect to the Marlborough FreeSpot Wireless network for free for up to one hour. If you require additional time, the go HOTSPOT service is also available from NZD$15 per day.
* Supermarket and Grocery Store
Just walk up the main street and the FreshChoice is inside the Mariners Mall (100 High Street).
Was this guide helpful?
Hopefully, this guide saves you hours of planning and helps you make the most of your visit to Picton!
If you have any feedback, suggestions or questions, feel free to reach out.
Happy cruising to Picton!
Anna @ New Zealand Cruises
www.new-zealand-cruise.com
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