The Budget & Backpacking Guide to Picton

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Free Activities in Picton

Picton has a couple of cool things to do where you won’t have to pay a dime! One of the most popular options are, of course, the walks. Accessible from Picton town, the Victoria Domain across the marina bridge has a whole network of walking trails providing easy access to Picton’s harbour and Queen Charlotte Sound views.

Alternatively, the Tirohanga Track takes you on a 45-minute climb through native bush to a stunning lookout at the back of Picton town. Jump into the details of these walks and many others in the 10 Awesome Hikes in Picton.

For more free things to do, we recommend a quick drive to some of Picton’s surrounding towns, such as Blenheim. The Wither Hills Farm Park is an excellent place to hike and cycle with views of Marlborough’s vineyards and plenty of sheep to navigate around.

Blenheim is also home to the picturesque Pollard Park with its pretty displays of roses, rhododendrons and more. And if you find yourself on a wine tour in the area, do some free handmade chocolate tastings at Makana Confections.

Find out more in the 10 Blenheim Must-Dos.

For more free activities, head to the 10 Free & Cheap Things to Do in Picton.

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Cheap Activities in Picton

Picton’s selection of cheap activities is a lot more lively than its free things to do. If you have a little more budget to spare, you’ll be able to add a few of the museums and bike trails to the itinerary.

Picton is home to a couple of extremely affordable museums, including the Edwin Fox Maritime Museum. For less than NZ$15 per adult, you can stand behind the hull of the world’s oldest surviving merchant ship at more than 160 years old. Learn about this vessel’s fascinating and controversial history, carrying cargo and people at this unique museum.

Another educational option, this time on the Picton Foreshore, is the Picton Heritage and Whaling Museum. For only around NZ$10 entry, explore historical collections from Picton and the Marlborough Sounds with some artefacts dating back to the 1700s. From early Maori settlement to the area’s whaling history, there’s a lot to unpack at this fascinating museum.

Finally, if you like two-wheeled fun, then you’ll love Picton. Home to the renowned Queen Charlotte Track and many other bike trails, Picton is a mecca for mountain biking.

While many hostels in town offer free use of bikes, ideal for riding the Picton to Waikawa Track (30-minutes oneway) or having a go at the Victoria Domain MTB Park, it’s worth hiring a bike to tackle the Link Pathway.

Boasting views that rival the Queen Charlotte Track but not associated with any pricey boat costs to get there, the Link Pathway is a short ride from Picton and rises up into the hillsides between Picton and Havelock.

Hiring quality mountain bikes from Wilderness Guides for around NZ$40 half-day hire and riding about half of the trail and back is a good way to spend a morning in Picton.

For more bike trail descriptions, see the guide to Mountain Biking in Marlborough.

For more cheap activity ideas, check out the 10 Free & Cheap Things to Do in Picton.

© Harbour View Motel Picton

Where to Stay: Affordable Accommodations in Picton

Picton is home to some of the highest quality backpacker hostels in New Zealand, as well as a wealth of holiday parks and motels.

Although we outline all your options in the 10 Best Budget Accommodations in Picton, here are some of our top picks for travellers on a budget.

Harbour View Motel – Affordable Harbourfront Stays in Picton

Forget dusty and drab motel rooms. Harbour View Motel is your modern budget accommodation in Picton, boasting well-appointed rooms and many with a balcony.

Situated on the harbourfront, the Harbour View Motel has an ultra-convenient location close to eateries, the ferry terminal and where many of the activities depart.

As for your accommodation, choose from “Budget Studios” up to “Seaview Two-Bedroom Apartments”, all of which are well-priced. Not all rooms have kitchen facilities, but you will have your own bathroom, free WiFi, communal laundry and on-site parking.

Discover why Harbour View Motel is a convenient and well-priced choice for travellers visiting Picton, and book your stay through Booking.com or Expedia!

Picton Accommodation Gateway Motel – Comfortable Self-Catering Studios in the Town Centre

Another motel worth considering in Picton is the Picton Gateway Motel. Located on High Street, you’re in the centre of it all, yet have your own space in one of the contemporary-style units or studios.

Even your entry-level budget studio has kitchenette facilities, while you might also want to make use of the large grassy barbecue area at the centre of the motel.

While not all of the rooms bask in natural light, the decor is fresh and clean, making it a pleasant place to relax after a ferry trip or exciting excursion in the Marlborough Sounds.

Learn more about what makes Picton Gateway Motel ideal for budget travellers, and secure your stay through Booking.com or Expedia!

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Cheap Eats in Picton

If you want to try some Kiwi cuisine or simply want to dine out – it’s your holiday, after all, then these are the affordable restaurants, cafes and takeaways in Picton to try.

For a taste of New Zealand’s famous savoury pies, head to the Bakehouse Cafe (30 High Street) who sell 20 different flavours of pies, as well as hot sandwiches, roast meals, cakes and more.

Picton Village Bakkerij (46 Auckland Street) also offers good value in their savoury pies, fresh bread, cakes and more.

Round off your cheap eats with a tasty dessert, another thing that goes well with the seaside: ice cream! Indulge Ice Cream Parlour (31 High Street) sells a wide range of ice cream and gelato flavours, as well as in-house made doughnuts.

For more restaurant recommendations, head to The Foodie Guide to Picton.

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Hiking in Picton

Whether it’s a short walk to the beach or a hike to viewpoints overlooking the impressive Marlborough Sounds, you’re bound to find a hike to keep your legs and eyes busy in Picton.

The Victoria Domain, accessed by crossing the Picton Marina bridge contains several hikes to various beaches, bays and all the way to the end of the peninsula known as The Snout.

Behind Picton is Esson’s Valley, with tracks to viewpoints overlooking Picton Harbour and beyond!

Because there are so many hikes in Picton, we’ve put together 10 Awesome Hikes in Picton. Check it out for the full descriptions of the hiking tracks in Picton.

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The Queen Charlotte Track

A staple of the Picton and even whole Marlborough region, the Queen Charlotte Track is a “great walk” that New Zealanders consider a Great Walk.

Walk or bike in the lush green forests of the Marlborough Sounds while getting epic views of the turquoise waters between mountains that emerge from the sea. Although it is not a highly challenging walk, it is a lengthy one at 71 km (44 mi).

The multi-day hike has many accommodation providers along the way, where accommodation is usually at NZ$50-$70 per night at the cheapest. Otherwise, pitch a tent to save some money.

The easiest (and most fun) way to access the track is by boat. Many operators from Picton, such as Beachcomber Cruises and Cougar Line, can transport you to your desired start point on the Queen Charlotte Track. If doing the entire journey, most people start from Ship Cove and finish in Mistletoe Bay.

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Water Activities in Picton

The Marlborough Sounds has many different coves and landscapes to discover, as well as its wildlife hidden in the depths of its waters. Picton is the starting point of most adventures into the Marlborough Sounds.

Many of the activity providers are based along the Picton Foreshore, including dolphin swimming, diving to the wreck of Mikhail Lermontov, freedom kayak hire or kayak tours, fishing tours, and even Mail Boat Cruises with Beachcomber and Cougar Line where you get to be involved in delivering mail in the most remote areas of the Sounds.

If you fancy being a flashpacker for a night or two, take a water taxi to one of the Marlborough Sounds’ accommodation resorts. With the only access being by water or the Queen Charlotte Track, it doesn’t get any more remote than that.

Look into WWOOFing opportunities and “flashpacker” priced accommodation (NZ$50-$70 per night) along the Queen Charlotte Sound and Kenepuru Sound.

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Mountain Biking in Picton

The great thing about many of Picton’s tracks is that they allow bikes too! For the longer and more adventurous trails, you may consider hiring a capable mountain bike, otherwise almost every hostel in Picton has free bike use.

Here are some of the top mountain biking tracks in Picton:

Picton to Waikawa Track (30 Minutes One Way by Bike)

Start the Waikawa Track by turning right as soon as you cross the bridge in the Picton Marina. Track signs will direct you between Picton town and the Victoria Domain with several entry/exit points along the way.

It’s worth checking out the Waikawa Foreshore Reserve by turning right into Marina Drive, left at Beach Road, and then following Nautique Place.

Harbour View and Snout Track Car Park Mountain Bike Track

These areas of the Victoria Domain have a small network of mountain biking tracks. Get up to Harbour View via the sealed road at the end of Sussex Street, also found along the Picton to Waikawa Track (see above).

Alternatively, there is a mountain track further along the Waikawa Track that provides access. From Harbour View, cycle along the ridge past Snout Track Car Park to find another mountain bike track back down to the Waikawa Track.

Queen Charlotte Track (2-3 Days, Open for Bikers from March 1 to November 30)

At 71 km (44 mi), the Queen Charlotte Track is the longest dual-purpose track in New Zealand. However, to do the whole track by bike is only recommended to the physical fit, with a few challenging climbs and descents along the way.

Alternatively, doing sections of the track by bike is a popular option with plenty of water taxi and bike hire operators in Picton to help you plan your trip.

The Link Pathway, Picton to the Whenuanui Bay Lookout (1 hr 30 mins One Way)

A brand new track links Picton and Havelock along the scenic coastal mountains looking out onto the Marlborough Sounds.

The Link Pathway is not complete all the way to Havelock yet, but cycling from Picton to the viewpoint overlooking Whenuanui Bay (two viewing benches mark the spot) is a half-day bike ride well worth doing for the views and fun terrain that is ideal for novice mountain bike riders.

The Link Pathway starts about 2-3 km (1.2-1.9 mi) up Queen Charlotte Drive. Keep an eye out for the bushes to the left as you cycle up the road – the entrance is easy to miss.

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Cultural Activities in Picton

Immerse yourself in the history of Picton in the Picton Heritage and Whaling Museum, from Maori history dating to the 1500s to early European settler history.

Find the museum on London Quay, right on the waterfront!

On another cultural side, Picton is the gateway to the Marlborough region, also known as New Zealand’s most famous wine-making region. Take yourself on a self-drive tour of the nearby wineries found between Picton and Blenheim.

Alternatively, tours, such as Sounds Connection, leave from Picton daily to take you to a selection of wineries and cellar doors. That way, you don’t have to worry about driving afterwards.

Finally on the cultural scene of Picton town, check out the many eateries in town. The most popular places are the waterfront cafes with a prime view of Picton Harbour.