Top 10 Day Trips from in Picton, South Island

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 I Site car park 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.

Inclusions: Driver/guide, Transport by air-conditioned minivan, Round-trip shuttle bus service between the ship and the departure point, Wine tasting, Chocolate tasting, Bottled water

Exclusions: Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase), Lunch at own cost due to varying appetites

The Wines of Marlborough cruise excursion tour is a brilliant way to experience the Marlborough wine region. You will catch the bus provided by the cruise ship into the Picton information centre where you will meet your guide for the day. They will talk you through the tour itinerary and then take you the 30 minute drive to the stunning Marlborough wine region. Surrounded by mountains the wine valley is the home of NZ wine and in particular Sauvignon Blanc. Your friendly and knowledgeable guide will provide you with a wealth of information on the region and the wines. Midway through the day we will stop for a delicious platter lunch at one of the winery restaurants. (Lunch is at your own cost).  At the end of the afternoon before returning to the ship we will go via our local chocolate factory before having you back to Picton in time to catch the cruise buses back to the ship.

Inclusions: Wine tasting charges, Professional guide, Pick up from the Picton information centre

Exclusions: Lunch is at the clients cost

Cruise with us Oct-Apr to Motuara Island in the outer Queen Charlotte Sound/Tōtaranui, for a very special Marlborough Sounds experience. Disembark into the magic of morning birdsong, look for penguins on the shore or in nesting boxes, and spot some of the rare species that call this island sanctuary home, including the South Island saddleback and bush robin. Follow the well-formed track to the island’s summit to take in the sweeping views across the Sound to Cook Strait.
 You’ll have approximately 2 hours to explore this natural paradise before the relaxing return boat ride. 
Cruise with us back to Picton for a 1pm arrival, OR, at no extra cost, choose from one of the following free add-ons: Discover Ship Cove/Meretoto Cruise & Walk from Resolution Bay to Furneaux Lodge (3 hours walk) Cruise & Lunch at Furneaux Lodge Restaurant or Punga Cove’s Boatshed Café & Bar (Lunch at own cost)

Inclusions: Live commentary on board, All taxes, fees and handling charges

Exclusions: Food and drinks (available for purchase on some cruises)

Let our winemaker tailor a Marlborough wine tour especially for you or your group’s needs… or let us surprise you with something special! You decide the start and finish time of the tour. Visit your favourite wineries without having to compromise with others in the group. You can get behind the scenes for a private tasting, or take a drive through the Awatere Valley and soak up Marlborough’s stunning scenery. We can focus on boutique, or organic wineries, breweries, combine fine wine and food… anything is possible with a private tour. This option is recommended for larger groups or families with children under the age of 12. We can visit wineries more suited to young families to keep everyone happy. If you are arriving on a cruise ship into Picton we can arrange a tour that works around your ship’s schedule. For larger groups, or to find out more about our Private Tour options please check out our website and contact us for a quote on 021 157 4094.

Inclusions: All wine tasting fees, Lunch stop during the tour - at your own cost, Free door-to-door collection and drop off from Blenheim/Renwick areas, Picton, Havelock, Rarangi transfers may be available with additional charge., Air-conditioned vehicle

Exclusions: Note: Bring a pair of closed shoes (no heels) for our winery visit, Lunch - at your own cost on the day, Note: We encourage our guests to have a good breakfast before the wine tour.

Indulge your senses with this special Marlborough Wine Tour, a full day exploring behind the scenes of the world-renown Marlborough wine region near Blenheim at the top of New Zealand's South Island. On this intimate wine tour, you’ll visit a select number of exclusive Marlborough wineries where you’ll taste award-winning reserve-grade Marlborough wine, talk with respected senior wine staff, explore beautiful Marlborough vineyards and enjoy a delicious gourmet lunch made with fresh local produce.

Inclusions: Wine tasting, Hotel pickup and drop-off, Transport by air-conditioned minivan, Local taxes, 2 course set menu lunch at winery

Exclusions: Not suitable for children

Explore New Zealand's premier wine region on this half-day tour from Picton or Blenheim. Visit four different wineries in the Marlborough wine region, stroll through the vineyards, and sample wines such as Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir. This small-group tour is limited to 11 people and includes hotel pickup and drop-off. NOTE: please do not book this tour if you are on a cruise ship which departs Picton at 6pm or earlier.

Inclusions: Professional driver/guide, Live commentary on board, Hotel pickup and drop-off, Visits to four wineries, Wine tasting

Exclusions: Lunch (optional; extra cost)

Enjoy the very best of Marlborough, at the top of New Zealand's South Island. Indulge in Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, the Marlborough Sounds and fresh local seafood on this full-day tour. A Marlborough wine tour in the morning is followed by a delicious Marlborough Sounds waterfront lunch, then a relaxing seafood cruise for the afternoon, accompanied by fresh local seafood and Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc as you cruise the stunning Marlborough Sounds.

Inclusions: Wine tasting, Hotel pickup and drop-off, Air-conditioned vehicle, Local taxes, Seafood Cruise

Exclusions: Waterfront lunch (at your own expense), Food and drinks (except wine and seafood tastings specified)

Enjoy a half-day small-group shore excursion from your cruise ships arrival into Picton. This tour provides you with the unique opportunity to combine the Omaka Aviation Heritage Museum at the ‘Wings of Omaka’ with a taste of the many aromas, textures and flavours of the world famous wineries, on a guided tour of this exceptional region. Marlborough is home to some 45 cellar door wineries, all producing some of the country’s most vibrant and flavourful wines.

Inclusions: Wine tasting, Driver/guide, Pickup and drop-off from designated meeting points

Exclusions: Lunch, Gratuities

6 hour wine tour designed especially for cruise ship passengers arriving in Picton with times to fit the ship schedule. Hosted by a wine qualified guide. Start by taking the shuttle bus to the Picton iSite where we will be waiting to meet you (5-10 minute trip). Visit about 5 of the world famous Marlborough wineries to taste their wines finish at the Makana chocolate factory.  Lunch will be taken at one of the wineries to taste the sumptuous food. Enjoy the scenery during the 1/2 hour drive from Picton to the Wairau Valley. During the tour your guide will introduce each of the wineries and give the history of the region. Time permitting a talk in the vineyard discussing the way Marlborough tends the vines. All standard tasting charges are included in this tour. A great way to spend your day in Marlborough. * Lunch cost is not included in this tour to allow you to choose what you like. Main courses are between $20 and $30

Inclusions: All standard tasting fees at wineries visited

Exclusions: Lunch is an extra cost to allow personal selection

Experience 'The Ultimate Marlborough Day Out', on this full day, small group tour. In the morning enjoy a scenic cruise through the Queen Charlotte Sound, aboard a catamaran and get to see the historic Ship Cove, where Captain Cook anchored way back in 1770. Returning to shore around 12.30pm, you will then be taken to a winery to have a single main course lunch with a glass of wine of your choice.  After lunch you will get to visit a couple more wineries with a chance to try some more of the wines produced here. This is while you are relaxing, savouring and enjoying this beautiful Marlborough region.

Inclusions: Wine-tasting

Exclusions: Gratuities