Picton Activities: 17 Ways We Explore the Marlborough Sounds

We used to think of Picton as a transit stop, a place to board or exit the ferry between islands. After passing through about a dozen times, we finally decided to stay a while and discover fabulous Picton activities.

Being that it is located along the northern coast of New Zealand’s South Island, Picton is the gateway to the unspoilt Marlborough Sounds.

As a result, the top things to do in Picton revolve around boat tours and an array of Picton hiking options. That’s not all, there is dining, two small museums, coastal walks, and nearby vineyards.

Picton’s charm no longer eludes us.

Note: If you are visiting Picton from a cruise ship, start here.

Picton boat tours and other Picton activities on the water

Despite plenty of things to do in Picton, our top recommendation is to get back on the water and explore the sounds.

We used to think it was enough to see some of the sounds coming in on the ferry until we hopped on board a smaller boat and took a more intimate tour sailing through calm, sheltered waters surrounded by stunning scenery.

Here are the most popular options:

1. Queen Charlotte Sound mail boat cruise
   If you are looking for something different, we know plenty of readers who loved their mail boat cruise. It’s exactly what it sounds like: a mail carrier going out to remote homes in the sounds. Passengers see unique locations and often meet the locals as they come down to collect post, groceries and freight. Reserve your 3.5-hour morning tour or reserve a 4-hour afternoon option.
2. Seafood / mussel cruise
   We almost selected this 3-hour cruise, but the timing didn’t work out. What makes this one special is the opportunity to sample fresh salmon and greenshell mussels and pair them with a glass of wine if you choose (wine is an additional fee). Plus, there is a chance to see wildlife, including seals, dolphins, and penguins. Reserve your seafood / mussel cruise here.
3. Marlborough Sounds ultimate cruise
   An ideal choice for wildlife and nature enthusiasts, this 4-hour tour focuses on the thriving wildlife of the outer Marlborough Sounds. In addition, you have a stop getting off on Motuara Island, a bird sanctuary Island. Reserve your Marlborough Sounds ultimate cruise here.

More Picton activities on the water

4. Captain Cook and dolphin cruise – Enjoy a four-hour sail while onboard marine biologists point out wildlife. You might see New Zealand fur seals and several species of dolphins, including Hector’s, bottlenose, and dusky. Reserve your Captain Cook and Dolphin Cruise here.
5. Guided sea kayak tour
   This four-hour adventure will take you along the waterfront and into Queen Charlotte Sound. Kayaks hold two, and there is a guide that will lead the way. Book your guided sea kayak tour here.
6. Private Charter in Picton
   We opted for a private charter, hiring a boat with its captain. He was super knowledgeable and shared stories and fascinating history. Plus, he showed us a few specific things we wanted to see. Although we enjoyed it, next time, we will choose one of the Picton activities above that has more time on the water.

Picton hiking and walking

Picton hiking is high on most people’s list of things to do in this region. Opportunities range from the 3-5 day full Queen Charlotte Track hike to strolling along the waterfront. We prefer hikes in the 1-3 hour range and had no problems finding lovely options.

7. Snout Track, Victoria Domain
   The Snout Track is a moderately challenging 9 km (5.6 miles) loop. The path winds through native bush and along the peninsula, leading to its farthest point at a stunning lookout. The walk takes nearly three 3-hours along a well-trodden, well-maintained and clearly marked trail.
   
   A partial walk is also an option as there are plenty of sweeping views of the Marlborough Sounds along the way. If you don’t want to walk at all, drive up to the Snout track car park and enjoy the view from there (photoed above).
8. Walk from Picton to Waikawa
   Waikawa is a charming settlement in the next bay east of Picton Harbour. There is a lovely marina, although the English translation of the town’s name is “bitter or acid water”. The easy 50-minute trail walk here was pretty enjoyable, and had we timed it better with our day, we would have had lunch at the Jolly Roger restaurant.

The longer hike

9. Queen Charlotte Track, Marlborough Sounds
   A stunning showcase of New Zealand’s coastal beauty, The Queen Charlotte Track stretches over 70 kilometers from Ship Cove to Anakiwa. It takes days to walk in its entirety, but it’s pretty easy to trek small sections of this well-maintained track.
   
   The hiking option that appealed to us brings you out and back with a cruise, allowing for some on-the-water time plus one of three (you choose) self-guided hiking options along portions of the Queen Charlotte Track. This all-day (7-hour) activity cruises you back to Picton at the end. Book your cruise and self-guided hike here.

Picton museums

We were surprised to find two interesting museums among the best Picton activities, both at the Picton harbour:

10. Edwin Fox Maritime Museum
    Picton’s Maritime Museum is home to the Edwin Fox. It is the only surviving ship that brought convicts to Australia and the oldest wooden vessel that brought immigrants to New Zealand. Check here for discount Edwin Fox entry tickets.
    
    The museum is located right at the harbour, and we opted to see the Edwin Fox from the water, therefore, not getting too close of a view. We recently saw another very old NZ ship up north (The Daring in Mangawhai).
11. Picton Heritage & Whaling Museum
    We found this small museum well worth the nominal entrance fee ($10 in 2025). Here, I discovered two things that surprised me. First was an orca skull, as I had no idea their teeth looked like they do.
    
    Second was the information about an 1820’s unscheduled visit from a Russian expedition, and the Maori artifacts gifted to the Russians and brought back to St Petersberg.

Take a wine-tasting tour in nearby Blenheim

Just a short drive yet often considered Picton activities, the Marlborough wine region is a must-visit for any wine enthusiast, especially fans of Sauvignon Blancs and Pinot Noir. The picturesque landscapes of rolling vineyards against a backdrop of rugged mountains make this region not only a treat for the palate but also a feast for the eyes.

12. Full-day Marlborough wine tour
    This six-hour tour lets you immerse yourself in the local wine culture. Stopping at several wineries, you can sample varieties including Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Riesling, and Pinot Noir, plus some lesser-known local varieties. There is a lunch stop at your expense. Reserve your full-day Marlborough wine tour here.
13. Half-day wine tour from Picton
    Based on the reviews, participants love this 3-4 hour leisurely tour that does tastings at 3-4 wineries. The tour is focused on wine, and does not stop for lunch, therefore, it is recommended you eat before you go. Reserve your half-day wine tour here.
14. Self-guided hop-on-hop-off bus
    More than just the vineyards, you will get the highlights of Blenheim. Its 27 stops include parks, museums, boutique shops, and an easy way to enjoy wine tasting at multiple local vineyards. It’s easy to hop off, explore, and then continue our journey. Reserve your the hop-on-hop-off bus tour here.

More things to do in Picton

We started every day the same, with a coffee at an outdoor table at Seabreeze while we enjoyed the view overlooking Picton Memorial Park and the waterfront.

After this, we walked east over the “Coathanger” Bridge (as the start of our Picton to Waikawa walk) or to the west past the war memorial, playground, museums, and the beach.

Free things to do in Picton

15. Stroll along the waterfront
    From Memorial Park, which felt like the centre of town to us, we either walked east over the “Coathanger” Bridge (as the start of our Picton to Waikawa walk) or to the west past the war memorial, playground, museums, and the beach.
16. If you have kids, visit the playground
    We only walked by, but this nautical-themed waterfront playground looked like loads of fun. When our kids were young, the water feature would have probably topped their list of things to do in Picton.
17. Relax at the beach
    There is a small beach in Picton that seems quite popular on the lovely sunny days we were there. However, it’s just not our thing, so we just walked by.

Tours and activities that require a bit of planning

15. Kaipupu Wildlife Sanctuary
    Accessible only by boat, Kaipupu Wildlife Sanctuary is a haven for native birds and wildlife. We didn’t visit this predator-free reserve, although we saw it from our private charter. Our guide told us that this main island sanctuary has walking trails through native bush, offering chances to spot rare species in their natural habitat.
16. Lochmara Lodge Wildlife Recovery and Arts Centre
    More than just an accommodation (although it would be a cool place to stay), it’s a fabulous day trip. With no road access, the journey starts with a scenic boat ride from Picton. Then, explore the 11 acres of native bush trails, art sculptures, wildlife, and the underwater observatory (extra fee). Or enjoy water activities like kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, or swimming. Reserve your day visit to Lochmara Lodge here.
17. Take a scenic flight
    Possibly the best way to see the extensive Marlborough Sounds is from the air. Fly over areas inaccessible by road, all four sounds, and mountains rising from sunken valleys. It includes a landing and a 20-minute visit to a remote, pristine beach. Reserve your scenic flight here.

Getting to Picton on the ferry

If you want to bring a car from the North Island, you can take a ferry from Wellington to Picton.

Two ferry companies do this: Bluebridge and Interislander. We have sailed with both, and they are similar enough that we chose them based on timing and price. Both offer vehicle or passenger-only crossings that take about 3.5 hours.

We encourage you to check the prices at both companies for the day you want to sail. We find the best prices on Direct Ferries here. Enter ‘Wellington’, where it asks you to enter a port, and it will give you all the options.

Where to eat in Picton (I am gluten-free)

We are an interesting combination. I have several dietary restrictions, including gluten-free, and Jeff can eat it all. Therefore, when we find a place we both love, sometimes we eat there more than once.

And in the case of Picton restaurants, we ate every day at the same two spots, one for morning coffee, the other for dinner. I know there are probably plenty of great places in Picton, but these two top our list:

• Seabreeze Cafe and Bar (open daily until 2)
  This is where we had our morning coffee, sitting outside enjoying spectacular views over the harbour. Jeff ate a treat from the case daily, and we had lunch here once, too.
• Oxley Bar and Grill
  Make a booking here; this place is popular with locals and tourists. One taste of the food will tell you why. It’s a culinary delight. I wish it were closer to my home so I could eat there more often.

Where to stay in Picton

There are plenty of places to stay in Picton. It almost feels like there are more accommodation options than anything else. While we have stayed in a few, our current favourite is a deluxe studio with a sea view at Harbour View Motel.

It’s not flash, but has everything we need, including a kitchenette, and the view from our balcony will keep me coming back here now that we have discovered it. Reserve your room at Harbour View Motel here.

Read next: Picton to Christchurch Road Trip: Our 2 Best Scenic Options

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