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LOCAL INFORMATION PICTON 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. Lilian Pond and Michael Ross offer competitive rates, flexible arrangements and a friendly service. Contact them on e-mail: or visit their website www.rentalcars.co.nz. Your rental car can be returned in Christchurch. 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, Next, meet Tony and Rog, a father and son 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 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. Diving is best among the reefs and kelp beds of the outer sounds; waters off Long Island in Queen Charlotte Sound and Western D’Urville Island are recommended. There are a number of shipwrecks above 40 metres depth. A range of diving adventures are offered by DiveMarlborough. 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.Email:info@naturetours.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
The Oriel Gallery in the High Street offers an inspiring selection
of Contemporary
New Zealand Art .
The Famous Marlborough Wine Trail encounters no less than 45 wineries 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 food eateries with a backdrop of vines and mountain ranges. Visit www.winemarlborough.net.nz/ for a guide to The Famous Marlborough Wine Trail. As for how to navigate the 45 vineyards of the Marlborough region there
are a number of options: Wakawhenua Tours: Tel: +64 3 573 7877, e-mail: wakawhenuatours@clear.net.nz Wilderness Guides: Tel: +64 3 520 3095, e-mail:
info@wildernessguidesnz.com, For friendly, personal service and advice on Picton and the surrounding areas real estate contact The Professionals - Picton Real Estate Ltd, 37 High Street, Picton - contact Jane van Schreven or Rebecca van Schreven by e-mail: vanschr@voyager.co.nz or visit their website www.realenz.net/picton 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.
Queen Charlotte Drive is a well-known and picturesque 35 kilometre drive between Picton and Havelock, 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. 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.
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.Virtually next Door from the Apartment, the apricot coloured building is where it all happens. Le Café on the waterfront has the best views for breakfast, coffee, lunch or dinner. 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 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
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