About Piction – Local information
Picton is an amazing base from which to explore this dramatic and beautiful part of New Zealand. As there is so much to see and do here are just a few suggestions that will get you thinking…
Local attractions listings and links
VISITOR INFORMATION
Picton Visitor Centre i-SITE Information Centre
Phone: +64 3 520 3113 Email: picton@i-SITE.org
CAR RENTAL
Pegasus Rental Cars locally owned and operated. Rachel and the team know as much about the Picton area as possible. Rachel’s team take pride in their clean and tidy vehicles and their personalised friendly service. The office is conveniently situated next to the Railway station and 300ms from the Interislander Terminal. The office hours are 8am to 6pm and they are happy to provide an after hours service for picking up and an unassisted service for dropping off. Hotel and Airport Transfers are also available.
Phone: +64 3 573 7733 or NZ freephone 0800 80 35 80
http://www.carrentalspicton.co.nz/
ON AND UNDER THE WATER…
Charterlink Marlborough a boat chartering company that can provide either a powered or sail boat either skippered or bareback for your sea encounter. Bear in mind, we are not speaking here of the open sea but rather the sheltered flooded valleys of the Marlborough Sounds. Moorings can easily be organized for an overnight stay with only the stars overhead for company. The early morning bird song will be a gentle wake up call for you to be on your way.
Tel: +64 3 573 6591, e-mail:info@charterlinksouth.co.nz www.charterlinksouth.co.nz
Sounds Connection a successful established tour company operating in the Marlborough region offers amongst other tours fishing charters. The main fish we catch in the Queen Charlotte Sound is Terakihi, but there are plenty of other species to keep your day interesting. You can enjoy a full or half day fishing and all trips are suitable for novices and experienced fisher people alike.
Tel: +64 3 573 8843 or 0800 PICTON E-mail: soundsconnection@xtra.co.nz http://soundsconnection.co.nz
Go Dive Marlborough a PADI Instructor Development Centre and TDI facility; based in the heart of Picton has over 27 years of experience operating dive tours and dive training in and around New Zealand’s Marlborough Sounds. They pride themselves in their reputation of providing unparalleled customer service, training and diver satisfaction. All dives are guided and limited to 5 customers per guide, helping to insure your satisfaction and safety.
Tel: +64 3 573 9181 E-mail: enquiries@godive.co.nz
Queen Charlotte Steam Ship Company offers Picton Harbour tours on the beautiful steam powered ship, the Duke of Marlborough giving the Picton visitor a taste of the Marlborough Sounds and the peace of a bygone era. Follow the bush clad coastline around Picton’s conservation reserve to Kaipupu Point into Shakespeare Bay. Kaipupu Point Mainland Island is located just minutes from central Picton, gateway to the beautiful sunken river valleys of the Marlborough Sounds. The ‘Island’ has been deemed a great place to provide safe haven for native New Zealand birds and other wildlife, well worth a look. Become one with nature on a silent steam ship and enjoy a taste of the Marlborough Sounds.
Tel: +64 3 573 7443 E-mail: info@steamshipping.co.nz
http://steamshipping.co.nz
Dolphin Watch Ecotours award-winning tours provide “Scenic Wildlife Cruises”, “Bird Watchers Expeditions” & “Dolphin Swimming/Viewing experiences”. They operate out of Picton in the calm & sheltered waters of the beautiful Marlborough Sounds. A clean green paradise of bush and sea full of natural beauty, history and wildlife, all waiting to be explored
Tel: +64 3 573 8040 or 0800 WILDLIFE E-mail:info@naturetours.co.nz
http://www.naturetours.co.nz/
WINERY TOURS
The Famous Marlborough Wine Trail showcases no less than 45 wineries all within 30 minutes drive of Picton. This region’s famous names such as Cloudy Bay Vineyards, Allan Scott Wines, Villa Maria and Montana Wines account for 52% of New Zealand’s total wine production and can be explored along this trail. Some wineries offer outstanding gourmet restaurants with a backdrop of vines and mountain ranges. Visit www.winemarlborough.net.nz for a printed guide to The Famous Marlborough Wine Trail.
How do you navigate the 45 vineyards of the Marlborough region? Mark and Maria Baxter and their friendly team offer a range of options. They are considered to be the leading wine tour operator in Marlborough and have operated in the area since 1993 and before that Mark’s father and grandfather operated fishing excursions in the Queen Charlotte Sound. See their contact details above.
TRAMPING, WALKING AND CYCLING
Tramping and walking tracks range from short walks through lush coastal forest to the multi-day Queen Charlotte Track, a 67 km walking or cycling track through the heart of the Marlborough Sounds. There are different options for walking sections of the track: be dropped off along the track by boat or helicopter and picked up again at the end of your walk. Favourites for walking are: Furneaux Lodge to Portage where a crisp glass of Sauvignon Blanc and a piece of homemade cake awaits your arrival or for biking or Portage to Anakiwa to catch the last boat back. Discover some great walks accessed directly from 301 Oxley’s Rock using the walking guide in the apartment. The Tirohanga Walkway has stunning views of Picton and the Sounds is steep but well worth the effort.
Marlborough Sounds Adventure Company have and unequalled knowledge of the Marlborough Sounds and Queen Charlotte Track. Whether you want to sea kayak, hike or mountain bike - with or without a guide – your adventure is easily booked with them.
Tel: +64 3 573 6078 E-mail: adventure@marlboroughsounds.co.nz
http://www.marlboroughsounds.co.nz
SCENIC DRIVE
Queen Charlotte Drive is a well-known and picturesque 35 kilometre drive between Picton and Havelock, and on to Nelson, exploring innermost Queen Charlotte and Pelorus Sounds. The road passes popular picnic, swimming and boating beaches. Lookouts at Cullen Point and above Governors Bay provide excellent views of the bays and coves of the inner sounds. It also forms the scenic route to Nelson which is highly recommended for incorporating the Saturday morning market and a trip to Happy Valley for a guided quad bike tour and a 80km/hr exhilarating Sky Wire experience.
Happy Valley Adventures: Tel: +64 3 545 0304 E-mail: info@happyvalleyadventures.co.nz
http://www.happyvalleyadventures.co.nz
Of course, the town of Nelson has plenty to offer including the Nelson Provincial Museum, Nelson Cathedral and Tahunanui Beach. The Art & Craft Trail gives you a self-guided tour of what is on offer in Nelson.
GOLF
If golf is your interest there are several courses close to Picton. If you intend to take juniors please check with the course beforehand. It is a very informal way to play golf, just turn up, pay into the honesty box and tee off. A round of golf costs approximately $15-20NZ. Contact the Picton Information Centre for more information. pvic@destinationmarlborough.com
VISITING WELLINGTON
Day trip or overnight in NZ’s capital city. Call 0800 WEEKEND to book your city hotel and for ANZ flights online visit wwww.wellingtonNZ.com.
CATERING and DINING OUT
Quest Catering Company
A recent addition to Picton’s dining choices is Quest Catering Company’s “Home Restaurant” for gourmet barbecues, dinner parties, Christmas dinner and any other occasion you can think of to justify letting someone else cook a delicious dinner for you, your guests or your family. Let Penny and Linda of The Quest Catering Co. take all your catering stresses away. Contact them on +64 3 573 7654.
The Cake Diva
If you are in need of a celebration cake, contact Laurel Cooley, The Cake Diva at cakediva@clear.net.nz
or +64 3 573 9203.
Gusto
Plenty to choose from but one of our current favourites is Gusto at 33 High Street. A family-owned and run bistro with simple décor but sumptuous food.
Le Café
Le Café on the waterfront has the best views for breakfast, coffee, lunch or dinner.
Your visit may coincide with the meetings of the Picton Food & Wine Club held monthly. Everyone is welcome for wine tasting with complementing foods. Just $30.00 for non-members.
E-mail:glengary.b.b.@xtra.co.nz
AND IF YOU JUST WANT TO CHILL OUT…
Yoga classes, massage, tai chi etc are available from The Sesen Way, High Street, Picton
Tel: (3) 573 6610