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PICTON 
Arrive in Picton by your preferred mode of transport and
unpack at the 301 Oxleys Rock Apartment before deciding
on what to do next.
The Picton Visitor Information Centre,
The Foreshore, can be contacted ahead of time at their e-mail
address: pvic@destinationmarlborough.com
Collect
a rental car at the locally owned and operated Pegasus Rental
Cars, 1 Auckland Street, Picton. They offer competitive rates,
flexible arrangements and a friendly service. You can be
met at Blenheim airport if you are taking a domestic flight.
Your rental car can also be returned in Christchurch. Pegasus
Rental Cars: Tel: +64 3 573 7733 www.rentalcars.co.nz
 Whatever
your fitness level or sense of adventure, Picton can offer
something for everyone. Let us introduce you to Steve and
Juliet who own Wilderness Guides based in Picton. They will
literally take you out into the wilderness for a day or two
incorporating tramping (hiking) and kayaking into the experience.
They are a young couple with enthusiasm for the great outdoors
and will ensure you live your experience to the full. Wilderness
Guides: Tel: +64 3 520 3095,
e-mail: info@wildernessguidesnz.com, www.wildernessquidesnz.com
 Next,
meet Tony and Sue, a husband and wife team who own Charterlink
Marlborough, a boat chartering company and 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 your 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. Charterlink Marlborough:
Tel: +64 3 573 6591, e-mail: info@charterlinksouth.co.nz www.charterlinksouth.co.nz
Sea fishing is a Marlborough Sounds tradition
whether from a boat or from a headland reached by foot. Boat
hire is available from the Picton foreshore from a number
of operators. Further information can be provided by the
Picton Visitor Centre. Dive Marlborough is a PADI Golden
Palm Resort and their dives include the Mikhail Lermontov
(a 177-metre Russian cruise liner), Long Island Marine Reserve
and Cook Strait sea caves. Learn to dive with their Discover
Scuba Diving experience or their 4-day PADI Open Water Course.
Dive Marlborough: Tel: +64 3 573 9181,
e-mail: enquiries@godive.co.nz
www.godive.co.nz
With Dolphin
Watch you can experience a 4 hour tour out into the Sounds
on the new 13 Metre catamaran "Delphinus” to experience
close encounters with seabirds, penguins, seals and dolphins.
A stop off on Motuara Island will teach you about conservation
on the island for the rare Maud Island frog, South Island
Saddleback (only found here) and the Okarito Brown Kiwi.
Tel: +64 3 573 8040 Email:info@naturetours.co.nz
www.naturetours.co.nz
Molesworth Station is New Zealand¹s largest high country
station, covering almost half a million acres (185,000 hectares).
The Molesworth Tour Company offer tour options which as well
as exploring the physical nature of the property, you will
soak up the history, folk lore and remoteness of this magnificent
area. Transport is in a comfortable air conditioned, 4WD
8 seater coach.
The Molesworth Tour Company: Tel: +64 3 577
9897, e-mail: info@molesworthtours.co.nz www.molesworthtours.co.nz
Nellie Harbour Trips provide a relaxing way to discover
what makes Picton tick, the hour long informative trips on
board Nellie the Scow depart from the Picton Town Wharf near
the foreshore. Email:nelliescow@xtra.co.nz
Adults and children alike will enjoy a family trip to the
Aquarium of the Marlborough Sounds, Seahorse World,where
visitors are given an insight into the underwater wonderland
of the Sounds and introduced to many of its fascinating creatures.
Located on the Picton foreshore near the Edwin Fox
The Oriel Gallery in the High Street offers an inspiring
selection of Contemporary
New Zealand Art .
Tel:+64(0)3 573 5353
The Famous Marlborough Wine Trail encounters no less than
45 wineries within 30 minutes drive of Picton. This region¹s
famous names such as Cloudy Bay Vineyards, Allan Scott Wines,
Villa Maria and Montana Wines account for 52% of New Zealand¹s
total wine production and can be explored along this trail.
Some wineries offer outstanding gourmet food eateries with
a backdrop of vines and mountain ranges. Visit www.winemarlborough.net.nz for
a printed guide to The Famous Marlborough Wine Trail.
As for how to 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.
Sounds Connection: Tel: +64 3 573 8843, e-mail: tours@soundsconnection.co.nz
www.soundsconnection.co.nz
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. You have 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. Our favourites are for walking: Furneaux Lodge to Portage
where a crisp glass of Sauvignon Blanc and a piece of homemade
cake awaits your arrival or for biking: Portage to Anakiwa
to catch the last boat back. Alternatively, pick up rental
bikes in Picton from the Marlborough Sounds Adventure Company
on the wharf, take a water taxi to one location on the track
and be picked up several hours later at another location.
Marlborough Sounds Adventure Company: Tel: +64 3 573 6078,
e-mail: adventure@marlboroughsounds.co.nz
www.marlboroughsounds.co.nz
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
www.happyvalleyadventures.co.nz
Of
course, the town of Nelson has plenty to offer including
the Nelson Provincial Museum, Nelson Cathedral, Tahunanui
Beach, etc. The Art & Craft Trail gives you a self-guided
tour of what is on offer in this region.
If golf is your
interest there are several courses close to Picton. Some
courses do not allow juniors but most do. 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.
Dining and Wining
Introducing the “new to Picton” Home Restaurant
for gourmet barbecues, dinner parties, Christmas dinner and
anything else your imagination can think of. Let Penny and
Linda of The Quest Catering Co. take all your catering stresses
away. Indulge yourselves during your visit. Contact them on
+64 3 573 7654.
If you are in need of a celebration cake,
contact Laurel Cooley, The Cake Diva on cakediva@clear.net.nz
or +64 3 573 9203.
Dining out in Picton? Our personal, current favourites are
Gusto at 33 High Street, a family owned and run bistro with
simple décor but sumptuous food. Or else, Shaitarna’s
who describe themselves as specialists in seafood dining and
certainly live up to that description. E-mail:
shaitarna@xtra.co.nz and visit them at 11-19 Wellington
Street. Le Café on the waterfront has the best views
for breakfast, coffee, lunch or dinner.
Your visit may coincide with 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
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.
Holistic Health tailored Yoga classes, massage, tai chi etc.
The Arcade, High Street, Picton
(03) 573 6610
Hot tips: New restaurant Escape to Picton is highly recommended for boutique dining with fine wines and excellent food.
If you are planning your trip around New Zealand and luxurious accommodation is a prerequisite we recommend Wave Watchers Retreat in Punakaiki
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