Tours and Trips in Picton

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.

Marlborough is New Zealand's largest wine region and a renowned foodie hotspot. Customise your itinerary on this private 6-hour tour from Picton and taste an array of regional delicacies, sweet treats, and fine wines. Optional activities include a visit to the Omaka Air Museum, a tour of a local brewery, or a cruise around the Marlborough Sounds.

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.

Combine a tour of Marlborough wine country with a visit to the Omaka Aviation Heritage Museum, with round-trip transportation in between, during this 5-hour shore excursion from Picton. Wine tasting, all entrance fees, and round-trip transportation from the cruise port are included. This small-group tour ensures personalized attention and an intimate experience.

Combine sea kayaking and self-guided hiking on this full-day outdoor adventure in the Marlborough Sounds. Paddle from the Picton waterfront to the western end of Queen Charlotte Sound and search the azure waters for marine life such as eagle rays, cormorants, little blue penguins, New Zealand fur seals and dolphins. Encounter secluded beaches along the shoreline before an independent hike on the Queen Charlotte Track, from Anakiwa to Mistletoe Bay. Lunch and return transfer by water taxi are included.

Swap the cruise port for a Marlborough wine tour on this shore excursion to a half dozen boutique wineries or more. When your ship pulls into Picton, travel by minivan through this notable wine region in the South Island, sipping award-winning New Zealand wines and sampling delectable chocolates. Opt for extra time to taste wine and purchase a seasonal gourmet lunch on this small-group tour, limited to 11 people for an intimate experience.

Use your mobile device to download an MP3 audio guide and map for a self-guided walking tour of Picton. Step off your cruise ship or ferry into the postcard-perfect seaside town and take a cultural journey into Picton's past. With informative narration you'll learn about the Māori people, whaling history, and more.

Spend a few hours at Lochmara in the Queen Charlotte Sound. Enjoy a 15 minute cruise over to Lochmara and choose from an array of activities, including a self guided walk around our 11 acre property with interpretation panels on the native flora and fauna, for those fit walkers we have a 3.5 km access track to the Queen Charlotte track, and join a guided tour of the "Underwater Observatory - see below the sea without getting wet" The only one of its kind in the top of the South Island.Free us of kayaks and paddle boards.

When your cruise ship arrives in the port of Picton, located in Queen Charlotte Sound, take a shore excursion to Blenheim and the Marlborough wine region with a guide. Enjoy wine tasting while you learn about the area’s cultural heritage. Travel with a small group along a scenic route and relax in winery gardens and cafes overlooking the Wairau Valley. Shuttle transport is included from the port to a bus stop in town for pickup and drop-off.

Spend time at the EcoWorld Aquarium & Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre when your cruise ship pulls into port in Picton. You'll see ancient reptiles called tuataras and get acquainted with little blue penguins rescued from the Marlborough Sounds. On-site staff take you behind the scenes to discover New Zealand's conservation in action.

When your cruise ship docks in Picton, take the opportunity to go wine tasting with 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 olive oil, liqueurs and chocolates as you head back to Picton at the end of your 5-hour tour.

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.

See the exquisite Marlborough Sounds from the water during a full-day adventure by sea kayak. Depart from the Picton waterfront and prepare to be wowed as you paddle past secluded coves along the western end of Queen Charlotte Sound. Your knowledgeable guide points out marine life such as eagles rays, cormorants, little blue penguins, New Zealand fur seals and more. Stop at a sheltered beach for a delicious lunch with locally sourced ingredients. Numbers are limited to ensure a small-group experience.

When your ship pulls into port, board the Marlborough Flyer, a restored heritage steam train, and see two towns in one day. Follow your guide on a scenic rail journey between Picton and Blenheim, where you'll have free time to explore Marlborough attractions - or sample regional wine - at your leisure. Shuttle and round-trip train fare included.

Spend your day sea kayaking around Queen Charlotte Sound on a guided excursion from Picton. Paddle across the harbor and stop for morning tea at a remote beach, then continue into the Grove Arm of the sound and enjoy lunch in a tranquil bay. Keep an eye out for cormorants and other wildlife as you listen to expert commentary about the Marlborough Sounds from the guide.

Slip into Marlborough Sounds for a swim alongside pods of wild dolphins, with certified guides to help find the dolphins and ensure the tour is dolphin-friendly. Watch for dusky, bottlenose, common, orca, and Hector's dolphins, and if conditions allow, you'll have the chance to view the dolphins from inside the water. This dolphin tour includes wetsuits with hoods and booties, as well as hot drinks on board the boat, and round-trip transport from the Picton waterfront.

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.

Pair superb views of New Zealand's Marlborough Sound with a glass of the area's famous Sauvignon Blanc and a bowl of freshly-steamed Greenshell Mussels on this high-end, 3-hour sightseeing cruise. Cruise aboard a high-end luxury launch as you explore Pelorus Sound and Kenepuru Sound, stopping to look for local wildlife and to visit a local mussel farm.

Marlborough is New Zealand's largest wine region, famous for its Sauvignon Blanc and scenic Marlborough Sounds. Discover both on this full-day small-group tour as you visit several Marlborough wineries, indulge in expert-led wine tastings, tuck into lunch at a waterfront restaurant (own expense), then set sail on a cruise through the Marlborough Sounds, accompanied by a delicious seafood tasting platter.

Relax with the flexibility of your exclusive tour of the Marlborough wine region.  Taste sensational wines and partake of some of the most delicious gourmet treats.  Enjoy the wineries or mix and match the day with exciting options. From the Port of Picton your local chauffeur/guide will meet you at the Picton Visitors Centre near the vehicle to take you on a scenic journey through to Blenheim and the famous wine region. Savour our local cuisine in a winery garden café or enjoy a wine with a cheese, meat, seafood platter overlooking our stunning Wairau Valley. Later, visit a chocolate boutique. Ride with peace of mind with flexible drop off to suit your ships scheduled departure.This tour has been created due to the demand for larger but small personal groups of a maximum of 11. A comfortable 11 seat Mini Tour Van is provided for your pleasure.