Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Picton?
Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Picton?
Many visitors spend one to two days in Picton during their visit. If you're not sure how much time you might need here, we have the answers because there's so much to see and do. This town offers a number of attractions to explore, including the beaches, the hiking, the restaurant scene, and the museums and landmarks.
Picton is located on the north coast of New Zealand's South Island. Many people use it to access the Marlborough Sounds, but the town itself is charming and a nice place to spend a few days. There are wildlife centers, walking trails, and beautiful boat rides that you can enjoy in the area.
Do you have one or two days to visit Picton? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is one day enough time in Picton?
With only one day, you might feel a bit pressed for time to enjoy the beach and the other activities in this town. After all, Picton is a small town that is quite popular with tourists. To fully embrace Picton, a longer visit is better. Most travelers tend to allocate one to two days to relax at the beach, take a hike, enjoy a meal at a restaurant, and browse the museums. Nevertheless, if your schedule is limited, we can provide some suggestions to maximize your visit.
How to spend a day in Picton
The beautiful beaches await you in Picton, so spend the day (or several, if you can) relaxing on the sand or swimming in the water. There are four beaches in the area. Picton Beach is by the town center and near many restaurants and cafes. About a ten minute walk from town is Shelley Beach and if you're up for more walking, Bob's Bay is secluded and nice. If you have a car you can make it to Governer's Bay.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Half-Day Guided Sea Kayak Trip from Picton ($66)
- Half day Sea Kayak Guided Tour from Picton ($66)
- Kayaking Mangrove Adventure at Havelock ($56)
The restaurant and food scene here is top notch, so make sure you spend time at one of the local restaurants where you can taste the delicious cuisine. The town is filled with restaurants that stay true to New Zealand's culinary traditions. Mussels and salmon are common on menus, and there are many bakeries and waterfront cafes to try.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Self-Guided Wine Tours by Bike with Lorelle & Greg ($42)
- Blenheim Half day Wine Tour ($119)
- Half-Day Marlborough Wine Tour & Beer Tour ($110)
Picton is a walkable city and easy to explore on foot. With only a day in the town, you'll have no trouble seeing the local sights. It's a quaint and compact town that's easy to explore on foot.
Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Picton?
A weekend for Picton is often considered ideal, as many people spend one to two days for a beach trip to the area. This would usually give you enough time to relax at the beach, take a hike, enjoy a meal at a restaurant, and browse the museums. Further down, you'll find our recommendations to kick off your adventure.
Picton, New Zealand
How to spend 2 days in Picton
With a weekend (two to three days) in Picton, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the town has to offer.
Known for it's hiking, Picton sees plenty of visitors looking to get outdoors. Spend a day exploring the natural beauty and scenery on a nearby hike. There are many nice walking paths in the area and this is a great way to explore, reach beaches, and see the surrounding landscapes. If you're up for a longer trip, Queen Charlotte Track is a popular trail.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Ancient Lava Stream Trek through dense Tropical forest. ($36)
- Motuara Wildlife Sanctuary Tour and Dolphin Cruise from Picton ($95)
The public transit in Picton is fast and efficient. Over the course of a few days, you should be able to explore the town quite easily and affordably. There are water taxis but no buses around town.
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Picton, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
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