Most people arrive in Picton, at the head of Queen Charlotte Sound, with the Cook Strait Ferry from Wellington. Accordingly this attractive little port is used by the majority of visitors only as a short transit stop on the way to or from the North Island. However, there are a few things to see and do here and with a wide range of accommodation the town makes an ideal base for an exploration of the Marlborough Sounds. But perhaps an even better alternative for those who really want to get away from it all would be to stay in one of the remote lodges or farm-stays elsewhere in the Sounds. Most of them are only accessible by boat or amphibious aircraft and visitors will find the trip there as memorable as the stay itself.

Destinations in Picton

Rarangi


In town itself, the Smith Memorial Museum has an interesting collection of relics from the days when whaling was a profitable industry in the Marlborough Sounds. The hull of the Edwin Fox, a nineteenth century sailing ship that is going to be restored to its full glory in the hopefully not-too-distant future, is located next to the ferry terminal complex. Ultimately the ship will be used as a floating maritime museum. In the meantime visitors can inform themselves about the ship's fascinating history in the adjacent Edwin Fox Centre.