Situated at the Northern tip of the South Island, deep in Queen Charlotte Sound, Picton is the first landfall for those who travel by ferry from Wellington.

European settlement of this area began in the 1840s and many of the early buildings still grace the waterfront.

It is a busy port town and a centre for launch traffic to the Marlborough Sounds. Picton retains its small town characteristic but has plenty of attractions such as shipwreck diving, fishing, sailing, scenic flights and plenty of great walking tracks.

This quaint waterfront village is the starting point for an idyllic marine playground, indented with many secluded coves, pristine beaches and sheltered waterways. With 1,500 kilometres of shoreline, Marlborough offers unlimited opportunities for cruising, sailing, diving and fishing.

Visitors wishing to check out some of Picton's history, there is the waterfront museum and some of the old ships in port especially the Edwin Fox built in 1853, believed to be the ninth oldest ship in the world.

There are basically two directions to head from Picton, the East coast route towards Kaikoura, Christchurch and the West coast route over towards Westport and down towards the glaciers.

The Marlborough Region
Marlborough is New Zealand's largest grape growing and wine making region with 65 wineries, 290 grape growers and 4054 hectares in grape production.

Nearly all of the wineries welcome visitors for tasting sessions and many have a cafe or restaurant on site. Sauvignon Blanc is the region's specialty, but wines made with Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes are also highly acclaimed. Wine trail maps make it easy to find your way around the vineyards.

Before the wine industry came along, Marlborough's fame lay with its sounds—sunken valleys that are home to all kinds of wonderful bird and sea life, including terns, shags, blue penguins, dolphins and seals.

Queen Charlotte, Kenepuru and Pelorus Sounds can be explored by boat—ferry, runabout, luxury charter launch or kayak. Admire the spectacular scenery where bush and mountains rise straight from the sea, and secret coves beckon you for a swim.

Queen Charlotte Track is another way to appreciate the intricate waterways of the Marlborough Sounds. The 67 kilometre track passes through lush coastal forest, around coves and inlets, and along skyline ridges offering breathtaking views of the Queen Charlotte and Kenepuru Sounds.