Picton Tours, Tickets & Excursions

The Coastal Pacific is one of the ‘Great Journeys of New Zealand’—a scenic train route that runs between Picton and Christchurch on the South Island. On this tour, enjoy a hassle-free experience with prepaid tickets and soak up the scenery on the one-way railway journey. Along the way, listen to the audio commentary, order refreshments from the on-board café (own expense), and admire views of the Pacific Coast, Kaikoura, and Canterbury Plains.

Take in the sights of Marlborough's wine country scenery and taste some of the region's best offerings on this full-day tour from Blenheim. Make several stops at different wineries and taste Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Riesling and Pinot Noir as well as some lesser known varieties from the area. Round-trip transportation from hotels in Picton, Blenheim, or Havelock included.

Visit several wineries in the Marlborough wine region on a half-day tour from Picton. Enjoy wine tasting at each location, and learn about New Zealand's prolific wine industry from your guide on this comprehensive wine tour.

Take advantage of InterIslander daily ferry service from Picton to Wellington. Swap New Zealand’s South Island for the North Island, crossing Cook Strait to the capital city. The Picton-to-Wellington ferry departs one way, gliding over the serene waters of Queen Charlotte Sound on a 3-hour cruise that offers stunning views of both islands — the perfect entry to the colonial port city.

Spend half a day among the thriving wildlife of the outer Marlborough Sounds on a small-boat wildlife tour from Picton. Spot rare sea birds like penguins and shags, plus a couple of species of dolphin, in Queen Charlotte Sound. Set foot on Motuara Island, a bird sanctuary Island that holds significance to colonial New Zealand history. Your guides are deeply knowledgeable about this area, so make the most of them and ask plenty of questions.

The sunken river valleys, forested cliffs, and sandy bays of the Marlborough Sounds are one of the best places in New Zealand to spot dolphins in their natural environment, but increased tourism can often put wildlife at risk. This 4-hour cruise from Picton is run by certified Department of Conservation operators, allowing you to interact with dusky, bottlenose, and orca dolphins in a safe, fun, and eco-friendly way.

An air tour is an ideal way to see the vast area of the Marlborough Sounds, much of which has no road access. Many visitors only see the relatively developed Queen Charlotte Sound, but on this tour by light aircraft you’ll fly above all four sounds. Be amazed by the views of mountains rising out of sunken river valleys, and even land at a remote, pristine beach in the outer sounds for 20 minutes.

Set anchor at Ship Cove, a sheltered bay of Queen Charlotte Sound where Captain James Cook landed in the late 1700s. During this half-day nature cruise in the Marlborough Sounds, enthusiastic marine biologists point out wildlife including New Zealand fur seals and several species of dolphins: Hector's, bottlenose and dusky. Spot rare seabirds and learn about the history between Cook and the Maori people of Aotearoa while you’re treated to refreshments on board.

Benefit from the wildlife-spotting skills of marine biologists on this small-group ecotour from the Picton waterfront. You’ll cruise to Motuara Island, a bird sanctuary in the Marlborough Sounds, and search the sheltered waters for wild dolphins along the way. See rare seabirds, marine mammals, and endangered land birds protected in their natural environment.

The Marlborough region is packed with boutique wineries producing world-class sauvignon blancs and other wine varietals. On this small-group tour from the port in Picton, spend a day off your cruise ship sampling just some of the wines produced in the region, all without the hassle of organizing a rental car… or a chauffeur. On the way to each cellar door, drive through the open countryside and past the rolling hills of the Koromiko Valley.

Taste some great New Zealand wines on a half-day tour of the Marlborough wine region. Visit various vineyards, learn about the region's distinct terroirs, and go wine tasting at four wineries from Picton or Blenheim. Tastings, transportation, and hotel pickup and drop-off are included on this small-group tour limited to 11 guests.

Experience the beauty on Marlborough Sounds on foot and by boat through a guided walk with round-trip boat service. You can choose from three walks of varying length and challenge. These include Ship Cove, Endeavor Inlet or Torea Bay. Round-trip boat service drops you at the beginning and collects you at the end of your tour. A day hike is the perfect opportunity to experience the natural tranquility of the track, particularly if you have a shorter time-frame.

Take in a slice of rustic Marlborough living on this mail boat cruise of Tōtaranui / Queen Charlotte Sound. Life in the sounds is remote, and this tour offers the chance to share in the excitement of mail day. Enjoy a free morning in Picton before spending your afternoon cruising past isolated bays, with a unique route on offer each day. Ask your skipper about the history of the Queen Charlotte Sound, and benefit from their help spotting the wildlife that frequent these waterways.

Enjoy the tranquil network of waterways that makes up Marlborough Sounds. This morning cruise will take you to Ship Cove, where you can disembark and see a memorial to Captain Cook, Mãori wood carvings and enjoy the sheltered beach. On your journey you will hear informative commentary about the marine life, cultural history and natural features of the region from your knowledgeable captain.

- Hop on and off at 26 popular Marlborough locations without having to drive yourself - Knowledgeable drivers provide all information, easy to use map and timetable - Enjoy the freedom of hopping on and hop off at as many destinations as you please - stay as long as you like! - See some of the best wineries, breweries, museums and much more! - An awesome idea for groups of friends, couples or singles alike

When you have limited time, a delivery cruise is an ideal way to get around the Marlborough Sounds. Get an up-close look at remote homes and resorts while your boat delivers supplies to hidden coves and tucked-away bays. Learn about the ever-popular Queen Charlotte Track and relax while exploring miles of wild coastline.

Discover the natural beauty and fresh seafood of the Marlborough Sounds during a 3.5-hour cruise from Picton. Travel by luxury catamaran through the sheltered waters of the Queen Charlotte Sound, located at the top of New Zealand's South Island. Taste fresh seafood served on board and paired with a glass of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. You'll also learn about aquaculture in the Marlborough Sounds, check out a salmon and mussel farm, and get great photo ops of the region.

When your cruise ship docks in Picton, take the opportunity to go wine tasting on a tour that visits some of Marlborough’s award-winning wineries. Visit up to five wineries in Blenheim for tastings and vineyard tours, discovering both internationally famous wines and lesser-known New Zealand gems. You’ll also stop for lunch (own expense) and sample locally made chocolates as you head back to Picton at the end of your tour.

If you're looking for an unforgettable nature experience, look no further than the Motuara Island Bird Sanctuary and Ship Cove Cruise from Picton. This tour takes you to one of New Zealand's rodent-free offshore sanctuaries, Motuara Island, where you'll see a variety of native birds in regenerating native bush. You'll also cruise to Meretoto / Ship Cove, a beautiful sheltered cove that was once a favorite spot of Captain James Cook. Compared with a traditional mail boat cruise, this tour offers more time seeing wildlife and less time parked on shore.

Tour the western end of Queen Charlotte Sound on a half-day paddling adventure from Picton. Settle into your sea kayak and follow an expert guide from the waterfront to sheltered coves and remote beaches. Search the waters for eagles rays, cormorants, little blue penguins, New Zealand fur seals and dolphins while you learn about the natural history of the Marlborough Sounds. Numbers are limited to ensure a small-group experience.

When your cruise ship arrives in Picton, take advantage of a half-day excursion that introduces you to four Marlborough wineries handpicked by a guide. On this small-group tour you’ll taste the region’s sauvignon blanc and pinot noir, stroll through Blenheim vineyards, and sample boutique chocolates. Round-trip minivan transport is provided from the nearby i-SITE.

The only Marlborough wine tour lead by a local winemaker! Make the most of your short time in Marlborough. Visit 4-6 wineries in the region. Enjoy an informative vineyard stroll, followed by a behind-the-scenes look at a modern working winery where you can sample wine straight from the barrel, and capture the best behind-the-scenes winery photos. A shared gourmet platter at a vineyard restaurant is included and is always a highlight, along with a visit to a boutique chocolate factory or the Moa Brewery. This tour is tailored to the needs of Cruise Ship passengers who may have different timing requirements to our standard daily tours. The tour usually departs at 9.30am but may change to suit your ships arrival time and you can relax knowing that we will return you safely and on time for your ship. This tour is for a maximum of 10 people. For larger groups please contact us for a quote.

Be amazed by the views of the bays, beaches, and mountains of the Marlborough Sounds on this half-hour scenic flight. Many parts of the sounds are difficult to access any other way, so taking a scenic flight is the easiest way of seeing a lot in a short time. Starting in Picton, you’ll fly over Queen Charlotte and Kenepuru Sounds, and catch views of the outer sounds along the way.

Discover the award-winning wines of the Marlborough region on a private shore excursion from Picton for your group of up to six people. The exact itinerary is tailored to you, with plenty of time to sip locally-made wines, browse art galleries, then pause for lunch and views of Marlborough's rolling vineyards, plus many customizable options. Pricing is per-vehicle, and includes a wine tasting and a chocolate tasting, as well as round-trip shuttle transport from the Port of Picton.