The Ultimate New Zealand Travel Guide
Picton Blog
Woke up to sunshine, glorious sunshine for the first time on this trip. The weather man says this will last several days so best get on the way. Plan to stick around Picton today for photos and show you why I suggest not to rush on through when you get off the ferry.
First we are staying at the Picton Camper Van Park
It is a short drive straight off the ferry onto Kent Street past Buller Street and the school. A small but well kept park where you will feel welcome and very comfortable. It is an easy walk into the main centre of town and you can take the camper van on to the waterfront and park for $2 all day. All these camper van parks I mention are easy to find and access. This one is with the main Route One going by on one side and easily spotted and the actual road it is on is the one you come off the ferry on.
On the Picton waterfront you can find all kind of water activities to enjoy the Marlborough Sounds plus you can catch a water taxi out to the various resorts and lodges for the day. You can also take a water taxi out to enjoy the many walks available including the Queen Charlotte Walk.
In town right on the waterfront is a magnificent park to lounge around and feed the ducks or go to a movie or just sit idle and watch the boats and ferries come and go. You can arrange a fishing trip or a dive trip for lobster. Buy some local scallops or mussels for dinner.
Try the fine cafes. My favourite is LeCafe, right on the waterfront, where you can get top quality food and good coffee and/or sit on the sidewalk covered tables sipping on a Marlborough wine. It just doesn't get any better.
Perhaps take a short drive on the Queen Charlotte Road that winds through the Sounds to the small town of Havelock and try the mussels straight off the boat at Slip Inn on the waterfront.
In Picton drop by the Irish Pub to meet the locals and try their Guiness Hot Pot with a good Guiness beer and listen to one of the local bands. You will truly enjoy the hospitality. David and I enjoyed the conversation with several English, Irish and Scottish visitors when we stopped by.
You can get whatever shopping you require here also without any hassle. It is a camper van friendly town not to be missed. Take the camper van out Waikawa Road to the other side of the marina and there is a large area of grass and trees where you can sit and have lunch or take a walk along the Sounds.
Perhaps our paths will cross and we can enjoy Picton together as I like to hang out there when I can.
Off to Blenheim tomorrow and I will introduce you to some more wonderful places to enjoy...and new people to meet. One of the greatest parts of travel is being able to talk to these fine Kiwis along the way and other travelers.
Have to take advantage now of the fish and chips we bought downtown. Doing the English thing tonight.
Picton page
(to be continued - we are on our way to the fabulous West Coast of the South Island) more photos on
return to blog page one
Woke up to sunshine, glorious sunshine for the first time on this trip. The weather man says this will last several days so best get on the way. Plan to stick around Picton today for photos and show you why I suggest not to rush on through when you get off the ferry.
First we are staying at the Picton Camper Van Park
It is a short drive straight off the ferry onto Kent Street past Buller Street and the school. A small but well kept park where you will feel welcome and very comfortable. It is an easy walk into the main centre of town and you can take the camper van on to the waterfront and park for $2 all day. All these camper van parks I mention are easy to find and access. This one is with the main Route One going by on one side and easily spotted and the actual road it is on is the one you come off the ferry on.
On the Picton waterfront you can find all kind of water activities to enjoy the Marlborough Sounds plus you can catch a water taxi out to the various resorts and lodges for the day. You can also take a water taxi out to enjoy the many walks available including the Queen Charlotte Walk.
In town right on the waterfront is a magnificent park to lounge around and feed the ducks or go to a movie or just sit idle and watch the boats and ferries come and go. You can arrange a fishing trip or a dive trip for lobster. Buy some local scallops or mussels for dinner.
Try the fine cafes. My favourite is LeCafe, right on the waterfront, where you can get top quality food and good coffee and/or sit on the sidewalk covered tables sipping on a Marlborough wine. It just doesn't get any better.
Perhaps take a short drive on the Queen Charlotte Road that winds through the Sounds to the small town of Havelock and try the mussels straight off the boat at Slip Inn on the waterfront.
In Picton drop by the Irish Pub to meet the locals and try their Guiness Hot Pot with a good Guiness beer and listen to one of the local bands. You will truly enjoy the hospitality. David and I enjoyed the conversation with several English, Irish and Scottish visitors when we stopped by.
You can get whatever shopping you require here also without any hassle. It is a camper van friendly town not to be missed. Take the camper van out Waikawa Road to the other side of the marina and there is a large area of grass and trees where you can sit and have lunch or take a walk along the Sounds.
Perhaps our paths will cross and we can enjoy Picton together as I like to hang out there when I can.
Off to Blenheim tomorrow and I will introduce you to some more wonderful places to enjoy...and new people to meet. One of the greatest parts of travel is being able to talk to these fine Kiwis along the way and other travelers.
Have to take advantage now of the fish and chips we bought downtown. Doing the English thing tonight.
Picton page
(to be continued - we are on our way to the fabulous West Coast of the South Island) more photos on
return to blog page one
