Things to do in Picton
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Edwin Fox Maritime Museum
The Edwin Fox is purportedly the world’s ninth-oldest wooden ship (who counts these things?). Built of teak in Bengal, the 48m, 750-tonne vessel was launched in 1853. During its chequered career it carried troops to the Crimean War, convicts to Australia and immigrants to NZ. The Edwin Fox Maritime Museum has maritime exhibits including the venerable old dear, preserved under cover.
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Eco World Aquarium
The Eco World Aquarium has hundreds of fish and a veritable menagerie of native critters, including tuatara, gecko and giant weta. Fish-feeding time (11am and 2pm) is a hit with kids. Just before dusk watch the resident blue penguins returning from their fishing trips. There’s also an art-house cinema here.
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Floatplane
Floatplane offers transfers and scenic tours (minimum two people) to Ship Cove (track transfer $125; 20-minute tour $140) and into the outer Sounds (40 minute/one hour $210/325). It also runs Cook Strait crossings from Porirua (near Wellington) to Nelson and the Abel Tasman (from $275).
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Café Cortado
A pleasant corner cafe with sneaky views of a harbour through the foreshore’s pohutukawa and palms. Quite possibly your best bet for a ‘sophisticated’ meal in a town with limited, decent dining of an evening. The menu focuses on local fish, steak, lamb, pizzas and salads, with bar snacks available too.
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Le Café
Due credit for longevity and for food that the locals still favour; the space was a bit tired and the service dicey during research. The food, however, tasted made-from-scratch: salami sandwiches, quiche, pasta and mussels, plus sweet tart for afters. Great Havana coffee and occasional live gigs.
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West Coast Encounter
8 days (Wellington or Picton)
This ‘active’ 8 day – 7 nights holiday of New Zealand’s spectacular West Coast of the South Island is aimed at those adventurers who seek a challenge, yet require a degree of comfort at the end of the day. The tour is designed for you to see and actively participate in a number of activities pitched at the beginner / intermediate level..
Not LP reviewed
from USD$3,360 -
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Gusto
This workaday joint, with friendly staff and outdoor tables, injects some class into Picton’s cafe scene. Beaut breakfasts (French toast with bacon, maple syrup and berry coulis), fantastic coffee, and locally sourced mains (mussels, lamb and venison).
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Beachcomber Fun Cruises
Two- to four-hour cruises, some with resort lunches. Cruise/walk, cruise/bike, full-day kayaking and Queen Charlotte Track options also available. Also operates the Queen Charlotte Sound mail run, a genuine NZ Post delivery service.
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Seumus’s
An authentically snug drinking den, pouring a reliable Guinness and a good selection of whiskies. Mix it all up with hearty bar food and regular live music, and you’ve got the recipe for the liveliest joint in town.
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Picton Village Bakkerij
Dutch owners bake trays of European goodies here, including interesting breads, scrumptious pies, super sandwiches, cakes and custardy, tarty treats. Look for the cut-out Amsterdam roofline stapled to the eaves.
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AS Echo Café & Bar
The deck of this old trading scow, built in 1905 but now high ’n’ dry on concrete stumps, is a quirky place for a drink or home-cooked food, and a good spot to spy the comings and goings in the marina.
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Gorgeous Gourmet
Hybrid sandwich shop meets micro-deli, with great coffee to boot. Delectable salads, charcuterie, filled rolls, ready meals and artisan cheeses (don’t go past the Over the Moon brie).
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Picton Museum
Above the foreshore, the Picton Museum has a collection of whale bones, shells and model ships, and displays on local history and Maori lore.
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Dolphin Watch Ecotours
Ecotours around Queen Charlotte Sound and Motuara Island bird sanctuary. Also cruise/walk options, plus swim-with-dusky-dolphins trips.
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Cougar Line
Full-day cruise/walk deals, three-hour cruises, resort lunches, track transport and summer twilight cruises.
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GoDive Marlborough
This operator offers dive courses and dive trips (from around $185, including gear hire).
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InterIslander Ferry - Picton to Wellington
by Viator
Jump aboard a the interIslander daily ferry service across Cook Strait; the stretch of water separating the South and North Islands of New Zealand. Not just the…Not LP reviewed
from USD$55.20 -
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Dive Picton
Offers dive courses and dive trips (from around $185, including gear hire).
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Wilderness Guides
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Lookout
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Edwin Fox Ship
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Picton Cinema
Two microtheatres within the Eco World Aquarium complex showing an excellent program of art-house movies. There is a combo-pass available for cinema and aquarium (adult/child $28/15).
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Flying Haggis
Proudly displaying a Glaswegian connection, this otherwise nondescript pub rustles up baked potatoes, toasties and fish and chips, which can be washed down with imported Scottish ales. Musos drift in from the hills occasionally and twang their guitars.
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