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picton
 The bustling port
of Picton is the terminal for inter-island ferries, and gateway
to the ‘Mainland’, the South Island’s
self-proclaimed nickname.
Picton is 30 km north of Blenheim at the head of the picturesque
Queen Charlotte Sound. The town dates from 1827 when John Guard
established a whaling station in the sounds, and soon after the
port began to ship produce from the Waiau Plains. Today it serves
mainly as a transit centre for Cook Strait travellers, and boasts
a wide choice of accommodation and fine restaurants with
delicious seafood fresh from the sounds. There are indoor/outdoor
cafés on the waterfront and a good selection of arts, crafts and
souvenirs.
 The placid waters of the Queen Charlotte
Sound are a playground for all manner of water sports. Launches,
yachts, powerboats and sea kayaks can be chartered or hired.
Fishing, diving and scenic trips are available and water-taxi
services run on demand. A regular shuttle takes trampers to
various points on the beautiful Queen Charlotte Walkway, which is
one of New Zealand’s Great Walks. The 67 km walk starts at
Ship’s Cove, which was Captain Cook’s base in New
Zealand on his three voyages of discovery, and ends at Anakiwa
near Picton.
 Local sights begin on Picton’s
attractive foreshore, where you can enjoy splendid views up the
harbour from picnic benches set among the palm trees. Picton
Museum has relics from the whaling era and a fascinating old
sailing ship, the Edwin Fox, which is being restored. The ship
was built in 1853 for the British East India Company and is the
sole survivor of the original immigrant ships on the New Zealand
run. Another fascinating old ship is the coastal scow Echo, which
plied the Wellington to Picton run many years ago. To see this
craft and the maritime museum you can follow an interesting
walking track from the Picton Marina to Bob’s Bay.
Picton is an open door to a whole new experience of unspoilt
nature, in these tranquil waters, where magical hideaways and
private bays can be reached by water-taxi.
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