How To Travel New Zealand's South Island
New Zealand's South Island is jam-packed with beautiful places, delicious food, friendly kiwi hospitality, and adrenaline-pumping fun! Not sure where to start, or need some extra tips? Here's your ultimate guide on how to get around, where to stay, and what to see and do while you're on the South Island.
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Bespoke Kitchen
Vudu Cafe
Fergburger
Over The Top Heli
Southern Discoveries
Skippers Canyon Jet
AJ Hackett Bungy
Britz
Chop Shop Arrowtown
Brancott Estate Winery
Arbour Restaurant
Chateau Marlborough
The Slip Inn
Things to do in Picton, places to stay
Picton - New Zealand HD
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Picton is a town in the Marlborough region of New Zealand. It is close to the head of Queen Charlotte Sound near the north-east corner of the South Island. The population was 2,928 in the 2006 Census, a decrease of 72 from 2001. The town is named after Sir Thomas Picton, the Welsh military associate of the Duke of Wellington, who was killed at the Battle of Waterloo.
Inter-island ferries to and from Wellington arrive and depart here by way of the Marlborough Sounds. Most of the sheltered part of the route is through Tory Channel, south of Arapawa Island. The township of Waikawa is a couple of minutes' drive from Picton, practically part of the same town. Waikawa has one of the largest marinas in New Zealand. Combined with Waikawa's population of 1,158 people, Picton's urban population is around 4,086. Making it the 2nd largest town in Marlborough after Blenheim which is 28 km to the south of Picton.
As of 2001, the unemployment rate in Picton was 4.3%, compared with 7.5% for all of New Zealand.
Transport
=========
The Main North railway line and State Highway 1 link Picton southwards to Blenheim, Kaikoura, Christchurch and beyond, while the scenic Queen Charlotte Drive (shorter in distance but usually slower than State Highway 1/State Highway 6 via Rapaura, near Blenheim) winds westward to Havelock. The completion of the highway link ended the relative isolation of this scenic area in the 1950s and encouraged modern motels, beginning with the American Luxury Motels, and many more after the ferry service to Wellington began.
Picton is the main link between the South and North Islands, with scheduled ferry service over Cook Strait. The two main shipping companies operating this route are the Interislander and Strait Shipping, with both offering Roll-on/roll-off capabilities for cars and trucks, and for the Interislander sometimes trains.
The Coastal Pacific long-distance passenger/tourist train from Christchurch makes a daily return trip to Picton, during the Summer months.
Picton Aerodrome at Koromiko 7.4 km to the south of the town has regular services to Wellington with Sounds Air and charter flights around the Marlborough sounds.
Nearby settlements are at Anakiwa, Waikawa, and Ngakuta Bay.
The Edwin Fox Maritime Centre features the Edwin Fox, the only surviving ship that transported convicts to Australia, which is undergoing preservation.
Education
========
The first school opened in Picton in 1861 at the corner of Devon Street and Broadway. A new school opened in 1882, and part of the old school was moved to the new site, but was destroyed by fire in 1928. A Catholic Convent school opened in 1915, and was replaced by St Joseph's in 1924.[4]
Queen Charlotte College is a secondary (years 7-13) school with a decile rating of 4 and a roll of 400.
Picton School is a contributing primary (years 1-6) school with a decile rating of 3 and a roll of 120.
St Joseph's School is a state integrated contributing primary (years 1-6) school with a decile rating of 5 and a roll of 25.
All these schools are coeducational. Other primary schools in the area are at Linkwater, Koromiko and Waikawa.
Miscellaneous
The famous author Katherine Mansfield spent time in Picton where her grandparents, Arthur and Mary Beauchamp, and her father Harold, lived for some time when they came from Australia. She included a reference to the port in her short story The Voyage (in the collection The Garden Party), which is an account of a trip to Picton from Wellington on the Cook Strait ferry.
The town is also the usual starting point for holidays to the Marlborough Sounds. Highlights include fishing, walking, the Queen Charlotte Sound, New Zealand Track, and Diving. A popular dive trip is to the 177m long wreck of the former cruise liner MS Mikhail Lermontov, which now lies at Port Gore, 37 metres underwater.[10] Dive charter boats leave from Picton for the last resting place of the Mikhail Lermontov, one of the world's largest, most accessible and most recent shipwrecks. Guiding is essential as the 1986 wreck is in 30m of water and divers can become disoriented inside the hull, which lies on its starboard side.
Other excellent dive sites in the Picton region include Fish Reserve, the Koi wreck, and Long Island Marine Reserve. Introductory dives (discover scuba dive) and PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) certification courses from open water diver to dive master are available from Picton. Technical diving and TDI (Technical Diving International) courses can be completed in Picton, diving in the Marlborough Sounds.
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Marlborough Sounds Mail Boat Cruise - New Zealand's Biggest Gap Year – BackpackerGuide.NZ
Day 80: Today we are hopping on a Marlborough Sounds Mail Boat Cruise in Picton to cruise the beautiful Marlborough Sounds for our New Zealand vlog!
Yesterday - Day 79 ➜
Tomorrow – Day 81 ➜
30 Tips for Backpacking in New Zealand ➜
-- About this video --
This morning we are waking up to the smell of freshly baked scone in the Tombstone Backpackers that offer free breakfast every morning. Then we are heading down to the Picton waterfront for our activity of the day: a Marlborough Sounds Mail Boat Cruise with Beachcomber Cruises.
We hop on the Beachcomber Mail Boat Cruise in Picton and get ready for our Marlborough Sounds cruise. The Mail Boat Cruise of the Marlborough Sounds allows us to see some of the hidden coves and bays of the Marlborough Sounds by cruise.
The route on the Mail Boat in the Marlborough Sounds is different every day so we are seeing some really off the beaten track locations in the Marlborough Sounds.
We even get the chance to hop off the Mail Boat in one cove and another to feed the dogs.
While on the Mail Boat Cruise of the Queen Charlotte Sound, we keep an eye out for dolphins.
So what do you think of the Marlborough Sounds Mail Boat Cruise? Is this a cruise of the Marlborough Sounds you would do?
#MarlboroughNZ #BackpackerGuideNZ #NZMustDo #Travel #NewZealand #TravelNewZealand #TravelNZ
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-- New Zealand Biggest Gap Year --
365 Days: 365 Activities
BackpackerGuide.NZ is New Zealand’s biggest online travel guide for adventure and budget travel in New Zealand. Join us, as the team behind BackpackerGuide.NZ, Robin and Laura, update the travel guide while taking on 365 Days: 365 Activities in New Zealand! It’s New Zealand’s Biggest Gap Year! We release new videos of the New Zealand adventure every single day, as well as New Zealand travel tips and 360 videos every Sunday so start making your New Zealand bucket list!
Read more about the New Mail Boat Cruise in the Marlborough Sounds on New Zealand’s biggest guide for backpackers:
-- More about the Marlborough Sounds –
10 Awesome Activities in the Marlborough Sounds ➜
Top 10 Natural Attractions in the Marlborugh Sounds ➜
Picton – Guide for Backpackers ➜
Marlborough Sounds: Motuara Island Bird Sanctuary & Ship Cove – New Zealand's Biggest Gap Year
Day 248: Today we are hitting the waters of the stunning Marlborough Sounds in Picton on a cruise to the New Zealand bird sanctuary of Motuara Island, then onto the historic Ship Cove!
Yesterday - Day 247 ➜
Tomorrow – Day 249 ➜
30 Tips for Backpacking in New Zealand ➜
-- About this video –
Today we are joining Beachcomber Cruises in Picton for a tour of the Marlborough Sounds and Queen Charlotte Sound. In particular, we’re heading to the Marlborough Sounds bird sanctuary on Motuara Island. On the way, we see a pod of dolphins in Queen Charlotte Sound before landing on Motuara Island to see an amazing array of native New Zealand birds! If you’re looking for a bird island in New Zealand then definitely consider Motuara Island!
Next, we arrive at the historic Ship Cove in Marlborough Sounds, a famous anchorage of English Captain James Cook and arrival of the Maori Kupe.
So what do you think of this Marlborough Sounds cruise with Beachcomber Cruises? Would you add this Queen Charlotte Sound cruise to your Marlborough travel itinerary? LUK in the comments!
#NewZealand #BackpackerGuideNZ #Marlborough #BlenheimNZ #NewZealandVlog #NZMustDo
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-- New Zealand Biggest Gap Year --
365 Days: 365 Activities
BackpackerGuide.NZ is New Zealand’s biggest online travel guide for adventure and budget travel in New Zealand. Join us, as the team behind BackpackerGuide.NZ, Robin and Laura, update the travel guide while taking on 365 Days: 365 Activities in New Zealand! It’s New Zealand’s Biggest Gap Year! We release new videos of the New Zealand backpacking adventure every single day, as well as New Zealand travel tips and 360 videos every Sunday so start making your New Zealand bucket list!
Read more about this Marlborough Sounds tour in New Zealand in New Zealand’s biggest guide for backpackers:
-- More Things to Do in Marlborough New Zealand –
5 Marlborough Sounds Must-Dos ➜
10 Awesome Activities in the Marlborough Sounds ➜
Marlborough – Guide for Backpackers ➜
Top 10 Natural Attractions in Marlborough ➜
-- More Things to Do in Picton New Zealand --
7 Best Backpacker Hostels in Picton ➜
Picton - Guide for Backpackers ➜
12 Awesome Hikes in Picton ➜
Picton, New Zealand
Footage from my time spent in Picton, New Zealand.
Music: Secret Beach - TETF
A Day on D’Urville Island - New Zealand's Biggest Gap Year – Backpacker Guide New Zealand
Day 86: Today we are at D’Urville Island Wilderness Resort in Marlborough for some fishing at D’Urville Island and 4WD mayhem! Join us for the New Zealand adventure!
Yesterday - Day 85 ➜
Tomorrow – Day 87 ➜
30 Tips for Backpacking in New Zealand ➜
-- About this video --
This morning we wake up on D’Urville Island to the sound of New Zealand native birds. We see weka, tui, bellbird and more thriving here on D’Urville Island.
We are staying in the D’Urville Island Wilderness Resort which has some very affordable options for backpackers.
We love the pace of life on D’Urville Island, island life. We hang out with our hosts at the D’Urville Island Wilderness Resort, have breakfast, then one of our hosts offers to take us to a D’Urville Island lookout by 4WD. We’re in!
After an insane drive up to the top of D’Urville Island, we get some awesome views. We head back down the D’Urville Island Wilderness Resort and hop into a fishing boat for some fishing at D’Urville Island.
After catching some blue cod at D’Urville Island, we go see a seal colony before journeying to the French Pass Whirlpools. The French Pass Whirlpools are a bizarre sight seen from boat or for the lookout walk in French Pass.
Back on dry land, we are in French Pass about to take the French Pass Road back to Okiwi Bay.
What do you think of D’Urville Island? Would you stay overnight in D’Urville Island?
#NelsonNZ #BackpackerGuideNZ #NZMustDo #Travel #NewZealand #TravelNewZealand #TravelNZ
So what do you think of kayaking in Okiwi Bay and the French Pass Road?
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-- New Zealand Biggest Gap Year --
365 Days: 365 Activities
BackpackerGuide.NZ is New Zealand’s biggest online travel guide for adventure and budget travel in New Zealand. Join us, as the team behind BackpackerGuide.NZ, Robin and Laura, update the travel guide while taking on 365 Days: 365 Activities in New Zealand! It’s New Zealand’s Biggest Gap Year! We release new videos of the New Zealand adventure every single day, as well as New Zealand travel tips and 360 videos every Sunday so start making your New Zealand bucket list!
Read more about staying on D’Urville Island on New Zealand’s biggest guide for backpackers:
-- More about Okiwi Bay and French Pass –
D’Urville Island and French Pass – Guide for Backpackers ➜
10 Marlborough Must-Dos ➜
Top 10 Natural Attractions in Marlborough ➜
A Day in the Marlborough Sounds: Stingray & Dolphins at Lochmara – New Zealand's Biggest Gap Year
Day 247: Today we are heading to the Lochmara Wildlife Recovery Centre in the Marlborough Sounds to snorkel with stingray, see dolphins, check out an underwater observatory and SO MUCH MORE!
Yesterday - Day 246 ➜
Tomorrow – Day 248 ➜
30 Tips for Backpacking in New Zealand ➜
-- About this video –
Only have a day to spend in the Marlborough Sounds near Picton? Then don’t miss Lochmara in the Queen Charlotte Sound! This Marlborough Sounds resort is packed with activities (24 in fact) and we’re going to try out a handful of these Marlborough Sounds activities today such as snorkelling with stingray in the Marlborough Sounds, seeing dolphins in the Marlborough Sounds, checking out the Marlborough Sounds underwater observatory and even playing on a flying fox (zipline).
So if you’re looking for wildlife in the Marlborough Sounds, want to try snorkelling with stingray in New Zealand, see dolphins in New Zealand or enjoy a relaxing day on a Queen Charlotte Sound resort then consider Lochmara!
What do you think of this wildlife activity in Marlborough Sounds? Would you add Lochmara to your Marlborough travel itinerary? LUK in the comments!
#NewZealand #BackpackerGuideNZ #Marlborough #BlenheimNZ #NewZealandVlog #NZMustDo
Subscribe ➜
Share ➜
Web ➜
Connect on Social Media
YouTube Channel ➜
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-- New Zealand Biggest Gap Year --
365 Days: 365 Activities
BackpackerGuide.NZ is New Zealand’s biggest online travel guide for adventure and budget travel in New Zealand. Join us, as the team behind BackpackerGuide.NZ, Robin and Laura, update the travel guide while taking on 365 Days: 365 Activities in New Zealand! It’s New Zealand’s Biggest Gap Year! We release new videos of the New Zealand backpacking adventure every single day, as well as New Zealand travel tips and 360 videos every Sunday so start making your New Zealand bucket list!
Read more about Lochmara Resort in the Queen Charlotte Sound in New Zealand in New Zealand’s biggest guide for backpackers:
-- More Things to Do in Marlborough New Zealand –
5 Marlborough Sounds Must-Dos ➜
10 Awesome Activities in the Marlborough Sounds ➜
Marlborough – Guide for Backpackers ➜
Top 10 Natural Attractions in Marlborough ➜
Sailing Hector 10 - Milford Sound! Fiordland! New Zealand!
Enjoying some time sailing around Milford Sound on New Zealand's South Island.
instagram.com/sailinghector
/Music
Dave Van Ronk - Green, green rocky road
Happy Jawbone Family - Fireflies made out of dust
Picton New Zealand
Picton Accommodation! Situated at the top of the South Island of New Zealand and gateway to the beautiful Marlborough Sounds, the Picton Accommodation Motel is nestled in the heart of Picton.
Your hosts Chris and Kerri extend a friendly welcome and invite you to experience the genuine southern hospitality that makes the Picton Accommodation Motel a popular location for travellers to relax and enjoy Picton activities.
Situated in the centre of Picton, the Picton Accommodation Motel is surrounded by excellent shops, cafes and award winning restaurants yet is only a quick walk from the ferry terminals and railway station which makes the acccommodation complex a popular resting place for all types of travellers seeking affordable accommodation.
Picton Accommodation Gateway Motel Marlborough Sounds New ZealandPicton Accommodation meets the needs of most travellers with a choice of 26 self-contained units, including studio, executive suites and spacious family size units that sleep up to 7 people. All units have telephone/modem access, radio, colour television and off street parking.