How to Spend 3 Days in Picton

Picton is a harbour town, mostly accessed by visitors seeking to board the ferry that connects the North and the South Island. A small place, the most popular activity here is definitely the hiking. Picton is the gateway to the acclaimed Queen Charlotte Track.

How to Get to Picton

I am traveling around New Zealand with a Stray bus pass that gives me unlimited hop-on, hop-off access all across the country. I took the Stray bus from Kaikoura up the coast to Picton which takes just over 2 hours. Picton is also the first access point from Wellington on the North Island which is also where the closest international airport is.

Interested in getting around New Zealand on Stray? Click on the image on the right to buy the perfect pass for your trip down under!

Where to Stay in Picton

I really enjoyed my stay at Sequoia Lodge Backpackers. It's right in town near the ferry, water taxis and trails of Picton while offering a quiet spot nestled back from all the tourists. Free coffee/tea, free chocolate pudding and ice cream every night, free wi-fi and lots of facilities for you to use - I think my only negative comment would be that the individual rooms do not lock and you are only provided access to a small locker in which to store your valuables, so most of your belongings are left unattended.

UPDATE: I came back to Picton in September 2019 and stayed at Atlantis Backpackers which is one of the most unique hostels I've ever stayed at - I loved my stay here. It's in an old museum, is full of books and beautiful murals (I mean literally, the entire hostel is painted), the staff are great, there's free wifi and breakfast and coffee/tea and dessert - truly an awesome find, plus it's cheap!

Things To Do in Picton

The best things to do in Picton totally revolved around mountains and hiking. If that's your thing, you've come to the right place! There are plenty of awesome local tracks in town with wonderful viewpoints and harbour access:

• Tirohanga Track - 2.4km roundtrip with viewpoint over Picton and harbour
• Picton to Waikawa - 4.4km one way to harbour
• Link Walkway to Shakespeare Bay (below) - 2.6km one way with views over Picton and Shakespeare Bay cruise terminal