The Luxury Travel Guide to Picton

© MarlboroughNZ

Luxury Adventure Activities

Picton is the gateway to the Marlborough Sounds, where, incidentally, most luxury experiences take place. A highlight for active travellers is the Queen Charlotte Track, while those looking for a more relaxing experience can enjoy cruises and helicopter excursions.

Starting with one of the South Island’s premium hiking trails, the Queen Charlotte Track is a multi-day walk where you don’t have to give up comforts associated with spending time in the wilderness. Stay in upscale lodges in picturesque bays between days of hiking over mountains, through lush forest and across wonderful coves and inlets. While we offer advice on how to organise your trip independently in The Ultimate Guide to the Queen Charlotte Track, a range of classic to all-inclusive packages can be organised with Natural Encounters Walks – find out more on Viator and Tripadvisor.

Incorporate the three famous aspects of Marlborough: the Marlborough Sounds, wine and green-lipped mussels, on a seafood cruise with the Marlborough Tour Company. Travel by luxury catamaran to a salmon and mussel farm where you’ll get to indulge in fresh samples of seafood paired with Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. There’s also plenty of photo opportunities when travelling through the sheltered waters of the Queen Charlotte Sound, as well as a chance to see seals, dolphins and penguins. Learn more about this seafood cruise on Viator and Tripadvisor.

For an alternative perspective of the breathtaking coastal landscape, take to the skies on a scenic flight. See an intricate network of bays, inlets and waterways on a helicopter flight with Coast to Coast Helicopters or a fixed-wing flight with Pelorus Air. Both operators offer a range of scenic flights with flight times to suit most itineraries. Tour the Blenheim wineries in style on the Heli Wine Tour with Coast to Coast Helicopters or enjoy a remote beach landing on the Water, Wine and Wilderness tour with Pelorus Air!

For more lavish experiences, such as sailing in the Marlborough Sounds, take a look at the 8 Luxury Activities in Picton.

© Hop n Grape Wine Tours Marlborough

All-weather Luxury Activities

Although Picton is a sunnier region of the South Island, it can still have its fair share of rainy days. Whatever the weather, these activities will ensure your luxury getaway doesn’t come to a halt.

Explore the famous wine region of Marlborough on one of the superb wine tours from Picton. While we list various tour companies in the 9 Great Winery Tours in New Zealand, a more luxurious experience awaits with Hop n Grape Wine Tours Marlborough. Their full-day private winery tour allows you to curate your dream itinerary with their winemaker or they’ll surprise you. Go behind the scenes in some wineries, soak up the scenery of the Awatere Valley, focus on boutique, organic or fine wine – it’s up to you. Find out more about Hop n Grape Wine Tours on Viator and Tripadvisor.

Alternatively, Picton often marks the midway point for people travelling both the North and South Islands, so it’s a good time to relax and indulge in a spa treatment. In town, you have Little Oasis, offering massages, facials and an infrared sauna in a soothing environment with hot towels, blissful sounds, candles and aromas. In the Marlborough Sounds, guests and visitors to the Bay of Many Coves are treated to their on-site day spa, the Miritu Day Spa. They specialise in New Zealand-sourced botanicals and essential oils.

For more ideas for bad-weather days, see the 10 Things to Do in Picton on a Rainy Day.

© MarlboroughNZ

Fine Dining in Picton

In the heart of New Zealand’s largest wine region and seafood mecca, Picton offers some special dining experiences.

When it comes to fine dining, our first thought is the Bay of Many Coves in the Marlborough Sounds, a luxury resort with three restaurants. Foredeck is their most premium experience where their wine-matched degustation menu is a highlight.

The restaurant of the boutique Escape to Picton hotel (33 Wellington Street) is another culinary highlight, conveniently located in town. They offer well-presented plates of contemporary New Zealand and French cuisine, use locally-sourced fresh produce, and put on an indulgent high tea session on weekends.

For more restaurant recommendations, check out The Foodie Guide to Picton.