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Soak up the spectacular scenery and relaxed atmosphere of Picton, New Zealand on a tranquil P&O cruise. Famous for its wineries, Picton is the Marlborough region’s second largest town. It has a rich historic past as a Maori settlement and fishing village and is now a haven for food, nature and art lovers alike.
Cruising into Picton is a visually stunning experience - the town sits at the head of Queen Charlotte Sound and is surrounded by lush, rolling green hills and deep blue waters. Your ship will dock at Waitohi Wharf, a comfortable walking distance from the centre of town. With plenty of activities and things to do, take your time shopping in Picton, admiring the vineyards, and sampling the delicious local produce on one of our excellent shore tours:
You’ll love the Iconic Wines of Marlborough shore tour. Marlborough is the wine capital of New Zealand, producing over half of the country’s wine. See why the Sauvignon Blanc is world famous, try the aromatic Riesling, Pinot Gris, and Gewurztraminer, or sample the complexities of the Merlot and Pinot Noir. Visit three vineyards for tastings and stop at Makana, the boutique chocolatier for a tasting you’ll remember!
The Queen Charlotte Sounds Round the Bays Cruise shore tour is an experience that you will never forget. Travel out into Queen Charlotte Sound via catamaran and see just how wonderful Mother Nature can be. Feed the famous pet fish in Double Cove, cruise past the unspoilt bays nestled along the shoreline, and travel the inner part of the Queen Charlotte Sound. Sit back and relax as your friendly skipper guides this scenic tour.
On the Hike the Queen Charlotte Track and Scenic Cruise shore tour, a motor launch will drop you at Mistletoe Bay. The Queen Charlotte Track is a spectacular 90 minute easy to moderate hike through the Marlborough Sounds, from historic Ship Cove through to Anakiwa in the Grove Arm. Pass through lush coastal forest, historic bays and along skyline ridges with unsurpassed views of Queen Charlotte and Kenepuru Sounds.
The Port Underwood Coastal Drive shore tour is truly off the beaten track. Explore an area that few New Zealanders visit - in the comfort of a private mini-coach. Drive to Karaka Point for panoramic views over Port Underwood - one of the Marlborough Sounds. The area is steeped in Maori and European history. The winding Port Underwood road reveals many spectacular coastal views and provides a glimpse of how the New Zealand countryside used to look a generation ago.
Stop at a local farmlet in Oyster Bay for a chance to chat with some locals who now make their living from mussel farming and agriculture. Continue past Ocean Bay, Robin Hood Bay and Whites Bay to Rarangi.
P&O cruises to New Zealand depart from Sydney and Melbourne. Choose the Kiwi Adventure cruise departing Melbourne to visit Picton. This cruise also calls at Fiordland National Park, Christchurch (Lyttleton), Dunedin, (Port Chalmers) and Wellington in New Zealand, as well as Port Arthur and Hobart in Tasmania, Australia.
Population
2,928 (2006 census)
Language
English and Te Reo Maori
Government
Parliamentary Democracy
Currency
New Zealand Dollar
Guest favourites, the most booked Shore Tours at this port
Our handpicked Shore Tours are a must for any guest.
If you don’t want to stray far from Picton simply enjoy some time relaxing on the foreshore, absorbing the tranquil surroundings, enjoying a local bush walk, visiting Ecoworld Aquarium or browsing through one of the town’s many galleries and gift shops.
The cruise into Picton is truly spectacular, but the Queen Charlotte Sound is one of the must do experiences in the region. Best explored by water, there are a range of cruises and activities to suit everyone including sailing, sea kayaking, fishing, dolphin viewing and more. Alternatively, take a short scenic walk before settling in at a waterfront resort with some fine food and a glass of local wine.
Marlborough is New Zealand’s biggest and most famous wine producing region due to the international success of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. Join a tour or take a taxi to experience this regional specialty at one of the winery cellar doors, ranging from well known international brands to small boutique family producers. The closest is less than 10 minutes away.
Your ship will dock at Waitohi Wharf, a comfortable walking distance from the centre of town.
Taxis are available pier-side and throughout Picton.
For a small town, Picton has a number of excellent cafes and restaurants. Most are located along London Quay, or on High Street. Seafood and local lamb are, of course, specialties. Alternatively, dine casually, and al fresco with a hearty serve of take-away fish-n-chips. This inexpensive local treat is best enjoyed on a nice spot by the waterfront.
Quarantine authorities do not generally allow food such as fruit and vegetables, dairy and meat products and sandwiches to be taken off the ship however commercially packaged confectionery, chips and bottled drinking water are allowed subject to inspection.
Since you are in one of the great vineyard areas of New Zealand, why not take home a selection of wines to help you recall some fantastic memories? There are also great craft shops and galleries that feature exquisite blown glass, jewellery and items fashioned from local jade or greenstone. Please note that any wine purchases will not be available for consumption onboard. They will be safely kept by security staff and returned upon disembarkation in your home port.
The Marlborough region has a temperate climate and is renowned for its sunny days. In summer the average temperature is a pleasant 22 degrees. Rainfall here is lower than in most other parts of New Zealand.
Major credit cards and charge cards are widely accepted. Picton only has one bank and limited currency exchange facilities.
Public telephones are located in the Picton Ferry Terminal and on nearby High Street. Mobile coverage is generally available as long as global roaming is selected prior to leaving home. Internet access can be found in town.
To make your day ashore as enjoyable as possible, please wear comfortable flat soled shoes, lightweight clothing and a hat. You are also advised to bring sunscreen, bottled water and a warm, waterproof jacket in case it gets windy or starts to rain.
There are a range of tours available for you to really get the most out of your time in Picton. Tours can be booked onboard at the shore tours desk and are subject to availability. Passengers are required to meet at a specific location for each shore tour departure. Please refer to your tour ticket for the correct time and place.
Please dispose of your rubbish thoughtfully.