Compare Picton Car Rental Deals

Stretching for 70 km from Ship Cove to Anakiwa, the iconic Queen Charlotte Track is nature at its best. If you love the great outdoors, this glorious track should definitely be part of your Blenheim itinerary.

Encounter fantails, weka, and tui birdlife in the lush rainforest and native bush. You’ll walk along hills and valleys through rimu and beech, nikau palms and manuka, and every so often, the views open up to sparkling coves and beaches.

The Queen Charlotte Track takes three to five days to complete. You can camp at rustic campsites (courtesy of the Department of Conservation), go the B&B/homestay route, or luxuriate in the comfort of resorts along the way. Your luggage can even be transported from point to point via boat on your behalf so you don’t bite off more than you can chew.

There are various entry and exit points to the Queen Charlotte Track — many at inlets accessible by boat, adding an interesting leg to your journey — so you can hike a small section to fit your schedule if the full walk doesn’t appeal. The terrain is easy to walk and you can take your time to admire the views and scenery along the Queen Charlotte Track.

The Queen Charlotte Track also lends itself perfectly to riding, and in the warmer months hikers find themselves sharing the trail with eager mountain bikers. It is one of New Zealand’s designated Great Rides, and it’s also one of the longest stretches of continuous single track in the nation.

Wondering how to get to the Queen Charlotte Track? Many companies offer sea transport to various points along the trail. Driving to Anakiwa is just half an hour from Picton.

Combined, Queen Charlotte, Kenepuru and Pelorus Sounds make up the Marlborough Sounds. All up, its extensive waterways comprise a full fifth of New Zealand’s total coastline!

Charter a sailboat, book a day or overnight cruise … whatever option you pick, seeing the sounds from the water is an unbeatable experience. You’ll pass amazing coastal landscapes and share the ocean with all sorts of birds and sea creatures. There’s an abundance of marine wildlife to be found around the Marlborough Sounds, from dolphins to fur seals, and even orca occasionally. There are also countless species of seabirds to be seen.

Another popular tourist option aboard local vessels is a cruise that includes a stop at Ship Cove. Originally named by Captain James Cook, Ship Cove is where his ship (the Endeavour) anchored to stock up on supplies. Cook favoured this spot so much that he returned a few more times. A monument has been erected here in his honour, and the area is recognised due to its historic significance as a place where two cultures met during early times — settlers and local indigenous people.

In the outer parts of Queen Charlotte Sound lie four untouched islands — home to endangered wildlife like the brown kiwi and the green gecko. Many eco tours will take you to these sanctuary reserves to see the local conservation efforts in action.

The fishing is rich here if you want to try your luck at catching snapper. Or visit a mussel farm via a Greenshell Mussel Cruise, including sampling the local delicacy first-hand (this is the mussel capital of the world, after all).

Another unique sightseeing option in the Marlborough Sounds is the internationally famous Pelorus Mail Run. What’s that all about? On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays tourists can join this boat run, which delivers mail and supplies to rural homesteads dotted around the bays and inlets. It’s a little slice of history that lives on today.

The Marlborough Sounds enjoy a surprisingly sheltered outlook, which means cruise tours are rarely affected by adverse weather. Most cruises leave from Picton, with further departure options from bases at Havelock or Waikawa (just a short drive away in your rental car).

Just a five-minute walk from the Interislander Ferry (or a five minutes drive from the Bluebridge Ferry), you’ll find the Picton Heritage and Whaling Museum. It’s the perfect stop to spend some time waiting for your ferry.  But it’s also worth visiting if you are interested in learning about the early settlement of Picton (Waitohi) and finding out more about the history of whaling in the Cook Strait.

The Marlborough Sounds were central to early New Zealand whaling in the 19th and 20th centuries. Tory Channel — one of the valleys in the Marlborough Sounds — was the heart of the country’s most intensive whaling operations. Until, that is, commercial whaling came to a halt as late as 1964.

In addition to a comprehensive display of the history of whaling in the area, the museum tells the story of the families who lived in the town, and how Picton came to be. Displays include significant Maori (Te Atiawa) history and artefacts, as well as documentation of maritime activities in the Sounds.

The museum, located on Picton’s foreshore at 9 London Quay, is open daily (except for Christmas).

Located between Picton and Waikawa, Victoria Domain enjoys an elevated outlook, overlooking Picton’s harbour and picturesque Queen Charlotte Sound. Its forested grounds cover 200 hectares and offer lots of recreational opportunities. Pick a spot (any spot) for a picnic, go stargazing at night from the lookout, stroll through the reserve or make use of the network of biking tracks.

If you’re taking on Victoria Domain on foot, you’ll be richly rewarded by stunning scenic views of the sparkling sea and rolling hills. The Harbour View Track will take about an hour, and you’ll no doubt want to pause for photo stops at every opportunity. The Marina to Marina trail is another track with an easy grade, running between Picton and Waikawa Marina. Conveniently, the trail begins at Picton Marina, close to the ferry terminal and our rental car depot. Climb to the top of a ridge and watch the ferries come and go. Or spend a bit more time ambling along the Snout Track — perfect for whiling away an afternoon. Weaving through native bush, it ends at the headland, with panoramic views over Queen Charlotte Sound.

Happen to have brought your own set of two wheels? You can ride on many of the same tracks, sharing them with walkers and joggers. There are several mountain biking trails along the bottom of Victoria Domain as well as within it. Generally, they are suitable for all ages and riding skill levels, so the whole family can enjoy it regardless of experience.