Picton New Zealand’s New Holiday Destination

Nestled at the head of Queen Charlotte Sound in the beautiful Marlborough Sounds, Picton is possibly New Zealands most pretty seaside town. Boasting one fifth of New Zealand’s coastline at its door and the best climate in New Zealand, rockets this charming little fishing village into a world class destination for international and domestic visitors to Marlborough.

Picton is all about the Marlborough Sounds with it’s relaxed island feel, secluded bays and crystal clear waters. The waterfront has one of the worlds best water views known for its ever changing colours and it’s marinas are a stunning testement to the importance of boats to this charming waterside village. Regular boat trips from Picton’s waterfront jetties take you to stunning locations throughout Queen Charlotte Sound and wisk you away into a world where the sound of song birds, the breeze and gentle waves lapping alongside your boat become your days soundtrack.

Fresh Marlborough Sounds seafood cooked simply and world class wines produced in Marlborough’s world famous wine region are very much on the menu. Independent restaurants owned by passionate foodies serving internationally influenced dishes can be found alongside traditional Kiwi eateries serving hot pies, fush n chups and custard squares.

Ask any visitor who has just discovered Picton, what they think of it and the answer is always, wow I never knew it was so beautiful. Most visitors to New Zealand think that Picton is where you get off the ferry and travel south but it’s so much more than you ever imagined.

So what is here that’s so special?

Here are a few of the sites and attractions that make Picton so amazing as a holiday destination…..

• The Marlborough Sounds – One fifth of New Zealand’s coastline. Full of amazing sealife including 5 species of Dolphin, Orca, Hump Back Whale (visits), New Zealand Fur Seals, Blue Penguins, Rare Giant Shags and much more. The Sounds, as locals call them really are paradise on earth and have to be seen to be believed. Truly one of the earths most special places.

 

• Ships Cove – A New Zealand Icon Heritage Site used by Captain Cook in the 1770′s to anchor his ship the Endeavour for provisioning and repair. Cook spent more time at Ships Cove than anywhere else on earth, other than his home town of Whitby in England. The cove is much the same today as it was in 1770, when Cook first stepped onto it. For more information on SHips Cove go to: www.theprow.org.nz

 

• Queen Charlotte Sound – Picton’s Sound. This beautiful Sound is laced with luxury resorts, secluded sandy bays, lush New Zealand bush and is home to the Queen Charlotte Track, a 71km long paradise walk & mountain bike from Ships Cove to Anakiwa. The track can be walked in its entirity or in small stages with regular boat pick up points being placed throughout it’s length.

Queen Charlotte Track Map and gradients:

For further information on Queen Charlotte Track and for bookings – go to www.qctrack.co.nz

• Marlborough’s World Famous Wine Region - Also New Zealand’s biggest! More than 100 wineries with over half serving food and just 20 minutes from Picton.

 

• The Wairau Bar – Pre historic buried village of the first people of Aotearoa. Discovered in the 1940′s and now confirmed as the birth place of humans in New Zealand more than 700 years ago. The Marlborough museum in Blenheim ( Marlborough’s Market Town) has an amazing exhibit of this sacred and unique site. Not to be missed!