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Queen Charlotte Sound, Picton

4.8
#3 of 14 in Parks in Marlborough Region
Water Body Nature / Park
An erstwhile river valley long since drowned by the sea, Queen Charlotte Sound is a vast coastal inlet, home to several islands and surrounded by smaller coves and offshoots. A ferry ride across the sound offers clear views over the deep blue water to the verdant, wrinkled coastline. To really experience the scenery, however, take one of the smaller boats that travels round the coastline--such as the mail boat that delivers to several picturesque settlements unreachable by land. Keep your eyes peeled for seals, dolphins, and fish in the water, and seabirds overhead. Landlubbers can enjoy an unrivalled view of the area from the Queen Charlotte Track, a hiking and biking trail that stretches the length of the sound. Arrange your visit to Queen Charlotte Sound and discover more family-friendly attractions in Picton using our Picton itinerary builder.
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Full Day Queen Charlotte Kayak and Walking Tour from Picton BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $120
Full day Guided Sea Kayak Tour from Picton BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $98
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Reviews
TripAdvisor Traveler Rating
241 reviews
TripAdvisor
  • We had the opportunity to cross it with a beautiful sunny day, colors, visibility and its calm, they give the impression of being in a paradise. It is a place that is worth knowing and enjoy.
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  • Standing looking over the sound from viewpoints on the hills around can transport you back to a time when man was not too prevalent here. He is not all that prevalent here now but our mark on this ear...  more »
  • Breathtaking and I will be back in summer so we can swim. June was a little too cold. The lookouts are very nice.  more »
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Best things to do in Picton

Popular
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Queen Charlotte Track
Picton
Visit for: 8​h
Marlborough Sounds
Picton
Visit for: 3​h
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Wine Tours & Tastings
Picton
Visit for: 8​h
Side Trips
The Great War Exhibition
Wellington
Visit for: 2​h 30​min
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ZEALANDIA Sanctuary
Wellington
Visit for: 3​h
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Food Tours
Wellington
Visit for: 5​h
Hidden Gems
Sounds Air
Picton
Visit for: 3​h 30​min
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Picton Sound
Picton
Visit for: 2​h 30​min
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EcoWorld Picton Aquarium
Picton
Visit for: 2​h 30​min
Kid Friendly Attractions
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Lochmara Lodge Marlborough Sounds Wildlife Recovery Centre
Picton
Visit for: 3​h
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Waterways Boating Safaris
Picton
Visit for: 3​h 30​min
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Kaipupu Wildlife Sanctuary
Picton
Visit for: 1​h 30​min
Tours
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Walking tours
Picton
Visit for: 8​h
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Nature & Wildlife Tours
Picton
Visit for: 4​h
Adventure
Scuba & Snorkeling
Picton
Visit for: 3​h 30​min
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Waterskiing & Jetskiing
Picton
Visit for: 3​h
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Where to stay in Picton

The greatest variety of accommodations in Picton clusters at the western end of Waikawa Road, all within easy reach of the ferry termil and waterfront. Options include hotels, motels, hostels, and apartments, designed to suit the tastes of the multitude of people arriving from North Island, or heading there. Farther east along the coast of the sheltered inlet you'll find camping areas and expansive resorts, while motels offer lodgings along the roads that lead out of Picton.
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Plans in Picton by other users

14 days in New Zealand BY A USER FROM INDIA August, popular PREFERENCES: August ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 4 days in Marlborough Region BY A USER FROM PAPUA NEW GUINEA December, popular PREFERENCES: December ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 2 days in Picton BY A USER FROM TAIWAN October, slow & easy, popular PREFERENCES: October ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Slow & easy 16 days in New Zealand & Sydney BY A USER FROM AUSTRALIA November, culture, outdoors, relaxing, beaches, historic sites, museums, shopping, popular PREFERENCES: November, culture, outdoors, relaxing, beaches, historic sites, museums, shopping ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 27 days in New Zealand BY A USER FROM UNITED KINGDOM January, popular PREFERENCES: January ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 21 days in New Zealand BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES January, popular PREFERENCES: January ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 22 days in Fiji & New Zealand BY A USER FROM CHILE December, culture, outdoors, relaxing, romantic, beaches, historic sites, popular PREFERENCES: December, culture, outdoors, relaxing, romantic, beaches, historic sites ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 4 days in New Zealand BY A USER FROM NEW ZEALAND August, teens, kids, culture, outdoors, relaxing, beaches, popular & hidden gems PREFERENCES: August, teens, kids, culture, outdoors, relaxing, beaches ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular & hidden gems PACE: Medium 20 days in New Zealand BY A USER FROM AUSTRALIA December, popular & hidden gems PREFERENCES: December ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular & hidden gems PACE: Medium 18 days in New Zealand BY A USER FROM AUSTRALIA May, culture, outdoors, romantic, historic sites, popular & hidden gems PREFERENCES: May, culture, outdoors, romantic, historic sites ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular & hidden gems PACE: Medium 30 days in New Zealand BY A USER FROM NEW ZEALAND October, popular PREFERENCES: October ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 12 days in New Zealand BY A USER FROM NEW ZEALAND October, popular PREFERENCES: October ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium
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