Picton is a pivotal point of most trips around New Zealand because it is situated at the top of the South Island where the ferries, which travel between the islands, berth after crossing the Cook Strait from Wellington in the North Island. If you are travelling between the North and South Islands of New Zealand by any means other than by air, you will probably find yourself in Picton. It's a small and picturesque town and the perfect place to base yourself if you're planning to explore the Marlborough Sounds in your motor home.
Picton is also a beautiful spot to get some well earned rest and relaxation if you're half way through your tour of New Zealand and just want to stop for a while and take in the scenery. There's plenty of activity and you can find some fabulous vantage points around the town to see the ferries and other boats coming in and out of the harbour during the day. There is also a range of great water sports available, ranging from dolphin watching and sea kayaking to fishing and yacht charters.
Those who prefer land based activities can walk or cycle along any of the myriad of walking and biking tracks in the area, including the walk to Esson's Valley Reservoir, the walk to Shelly Beach or the longer Snout Track walk. You can also visit the Ecoworld Aquarium, the Picton Museum or the Edwin Fox Museum, play mini golf or take in some of the wineries in the region. You'll find plenty of fresh seafood on offer at a range of great restaurants and cafes and you'll have plenty of opportunity to soak up the town's friendly and relaxed ambience.
Stopping over is especially easy when you have rented a motor home because there is a great range of places to stay. You can base your motor home at any one of the great holiday parks in Picton. These include the Top 10 Holiday Park and the Buccaneer Lodge, both in Waikawa Road, Alexanders Holiday Park in the beautiful Essons Valley, the Picton Campervan Park in Kemp Street, Smiths Farm Holiday Park in Linkwater, the Parklands Marina Holiday Park and the Waikawa Bay Holiday Park.
The holiday parks in Picton and the others in the nearby towns are perfect for basing yourself for a stop in the Marlborough Sounds region. The facilities are excellent, the people are friendly and you will get plenty of helpful advice on what to see and do.
