Picton

[http://www.picton.co.nz Picton] is located at the top of the south island of New Zealand and is surrounded by the scenic Marlborough Sounds. It is home to some of New Zealand’s stunning farmland and countryside, with a lively port providing daily ferry rides between Picton and Wellington. The seaport town has some beautiful beaches and a warm climate to go with it. Locals and visitors can also enjoy over 1500km of coastline of the Marlborough Sounds. Europeans settled into the Marlborogh area in the early 1820’s, since then Picton has become a flourishing tourist destination and a major centre for fishing.

Attractions

Picton is located in the Marlborough Sounds and has many kilometres of stunning coastline and unspoilt deep waters, this makes it the perfect place for water sports, activities and boat cruises.

There is a multitude of water activities available in Picton from sailing to swimming with dolphins. Why not take a diving tour at the [http://www.truenz.co.nz/wilderness Queen Charlotte Wilderness Park]. You can explore the clean water for sunken ships and spectacular marine life in the 1500 acres of private reserve. You could also try your hand at [http://www.sailmarlborough.co.nz/booking.htm yacht sailing] or [http://www.toursdownunder.com/Default.asp?Page=43 kayaking] in the tranquil waters at Marlborough Sounds. The area also offers many fishing excursions for a relaxing day by the sea, or you could even go swimming with dolphins. [http://www.dolphinswimming.co.nz/ Dolphin Watch Ecotours] operates award-winning eco-tours and offers a lifetime experience to swim with dolphins.

There are many companies in Picton that offer cruises, boat hire and eco-tours, allowing you to explore the beautiful bays and breathtaking scenery of the Marlborough Sounds. There are many different tours available, which will take you all over Malborough allowing you to enjoy the scenery or learn about the local wildlife with guided safaris. Travelling around the area on water is easy using the [http://www.arrow.4site.co.nz/ Arrow Water Taxi] service.

There are also a number of maritime attractions in Picton such as the Marlborough Aquarium. Here you can see the aquatic species of New Zealand and view their resident octopus. You could also visit the Picton Maritime Museum with their impressive marine collections, learning all about the whaling era. The museum is also home to the fascinating, old ship called the Edwin Fox, this ship has an exciting history that captivates many of its visitors.

There are also a number of outdoor activities to take part in, including mountain biking, horse riding, hunting and trekking. You could also do a spot of sightseeing and visit the many gardens, galleries and wineries in Picton.

Shopping

The town boasts a good selection of arts, crafts and souvenir shops. Picton High Street is the place to go to find many of these wonderful, fascinating and popular shops. The maritime heritage of Picton can be seen in the many quaint outlets. Some of the areas unique shops include the Mud House Olive Shop, the Karaka Wood Gallery and Judy’s Doll and Teddy Bear House. Shoppers can enjoy the open market-place environment of Picton’s shopping center, providing all sorts of arts, crafts, souvenirs and clothing. There are also a number of typical high street retail stores selling a range of popular brands to suit your every need.

Nightlife and Eating Out

Picton has a wide choice of waterfront cafes and fine restaurants to satisfy your culinary delights. You will find a range of local gourmet dishes including delicious seafood cuisine fresh from the surrounding waters. There are also a number of English restaurants in the area where you can enjoy traditional country pub food or indulge on fish and chips. The area is a famous wine region of New Zealand and hosts the world famous Wine and Food Festival in February. This event has a lively and festive atmosphere and attracts many visitors each year.

Picton has many excellent places offering a good night out. As the area has a superb wine industry, it is well worth visiting some of the nearby wineries. You can choose from a wide selection of wines in the Marlborough area at places such as Hunter’s Winery located on Rapaura Road, or Cloudy Bay Winery located on Jackson’s Road. There are also a number of pubs in the area providing you with a cold pint and a relaxing ambiance. The Barn Café, Restaurant and Bar, located on the High Street, is a popular place to wind down after a day of sightseeing. As well as selling a selection of local food, wine and beer, you can also find an extensive collection of Picton and Marlborough memorabilia.

Tourist Information

Picton I-Site Visitor CentrePO Box 165The ForeshorePicton

• Telephone: +643 520 3113
• Email: picton@i-SITE.org
• Website: [http://www.destinationmarlborough.com www.destinationmarlborough.com]

Airport

Picton Airport is located at nearby Koromiko, just south of the town. There is a main road leading from Picton directly to the airport, making it an easy place to get to by car or bus in about ten minutes. The airport provides regular flights to and from Wellington and also caters for air tours around the Marlborough Sounds, mainly using aircrafts provided by [http://www.soundsair.com Soundsair] airline. These aircrafts are small, single engine planes. If you would prefer to fly on one of the domestic airlines such as Air New Zealand or Quantas, you will arrive in Woodbourne Airport in Blenheim. This is only a 20-minute drive from Picton and a shuttle service is available.