Picton
Picton, named after Sir Thomas Picton who died at the Battle of Waterloo, is situated right at the northern end of New Zealand's South Island, just above Blenheim. Picton is a peaceful, picturesque town with a population of around 3,000.
Picton is situated at the head of Queen Charlotte Sound, one of the four Sounds which make up the Malborough Sounds. The picturesque Picton foreshore at the head of the Queen Charlotte Sound is great for a picnic with a large grassy area shaded by trees. Alternatively, swim with dolphins in the Marlborough Sounds waters. It is possible to see dusky dolphins, bottlenose dolphins and other common dolphins. For those interested in something more adventurous, dive into the 177-metre long MS Mikhail Lermontov shipwreck, one of the world’s most accessible wrecks. Charter boats leave regularly from Picton and two to five day tours are available.
The Queen Charlotte Track is accessible from Picton via water taxi and located within the Marlborough Sounds. It is 71 kilometres long and offers stunning views along the way. Visitors can either walk or cycle along the track, through forest, coves and ridges. It takes around three to five days to walk the full track, but there are options for daylong walks. There is a variety of accommodation along the way for those completing a longer trek.
The EcoWorld Aquarium provides an enjoyable day out for all the family. The aquarium houses many of the different species of fish found in the Marlborough Sounds as well as giant weta, lizards, turtles, little blue penguins, kakriki and a five metre long giant squid. There is a boutique cinema inside the aquarium complex that shows local and international art house films and a cafe serving snacks and hot and cold drinks.
Picton enjoys a surprising selection of eating establishments, considering the size of the town. Picton's location means that it benefits from fresh food from the Marlborough Sounds waters as well as the nearby farmland. Food options include cafe meals, deli-style foods, takeaways, pub food, family dining and fine dining, all within a close proximity. A short drive away, at Wiakawa Marina, is the well-known Spinnaker Restaurant, offering great views over the marina.
Accommodation offered at Picton is plentiful, reflecting its situation as the starting point for exploring the Marlborough Sounds. There is plenty of budget accommodation in the form of backpacker hostels, but it is also possible to find cheap hotels in Picton. Alternatively, there are waterfront self-catering apartments, inns, motels and bed and breakfast accommodation, as well as higher quality and luxury hotels offering a wide range of facilities. In fact, there are options to suit the budgets of most travellers.