Picton to Nelson: Road Trip Around The Sounds

Updated: 22nd January, 2024

Welcome to your ultimate road trip guide through the stunning Marlborough region of New Zealand. This short journey fits a lot of fantastic things to see and do along the way, and is definitely one of the best road trips in the South Island! From panoramic views, fantastic seafood, local markets, and even a famous filming location – this road trip has it all! Read on for all you need to know before driving from Picton to Nelson via the Queen Charlotte Drive.

Driving from Picton to Nelson: Overview

Map of the Drive from Picton to Nelson

The Best Stops along the Drive from Picton to Nelson via the Queen Charlotte Drive

1. Begin in Picton

Picton is a charming coastal town nestled in the heart of the stunning Marlborough region of New Zealand! Located right up the top of the South Island, Picton is a popular tourist destination for travellers who want to explore the beautiful Marlborough Sounds and Queen Charlotte Track.

For this scenic road trip, Picton is our starting point! This town is easily reached from the sunny town of Blenheim, or via the ferry from the capital city of Wellington. However, if this is your first time in Picton, I highly recommend spending a few days here first, as there is lots to see and do!

Things to Do in Picton, New Zealand

Before heading off on the drive from Picton to Nelson, make sure to stop at the Picton Village Bakery for one of their fantastic pies or homemade sandwiches for the drive! This is one of my favourite bakeries, with an awesome selection of goodies (and they make a good cup of coffee too!)

Where to Stay in Picton

2. Admire the View from Picton Harbour Lookout

As you leave Picton, you will head up into the winding hills on the Queen Charlotte Drive. This is one of my favourite roads to drive in the South Island, as it is incredibly scenic – with phenomenal views around just about every corner! The road is super winding and narrow in places, so it can be easy to miss the scenery (eyes on the road, driver!). Therefore I will mention a few of the best lookouts along the Queen Charlotte Drive so that you are prepared for the best spots to get out and admire the view!

The first lookout spot is only a few minutes into your journey, at the Picton Harbour Lookout! This lookout has a car park, so you can pull over and take in the view of the stunning town and Picton Harbour. If you’re lucky, you can even watch one of the huge Interislander ferries as it makes its way into the Picton Marina from Wellington.

3. Explore Governors Bay Track

From the Picton Harbour Lookout, the road winds its way around the edge of the hills, with stunning views over the golden beaches and lush forests of the sounds. This drive is very winding, so be prepared to take it slow!

The next stop along the drive from Picton to Nelson is down to a secluded golden bay, a little way off the beaten track! Governors Bay is stunning, with golden sand, crystal-clear blue water, vibrant green forest, and the best part – almost nobody there! This bay has no direct road access and is often overlooked for the more accessible surrounding bays, making this one of my favourites!

Governors Bay Track

This walk begins at a small carpark on the left-hand side of Queen Charlotte Drive. Be careful as you turn, as it is on the side of a pretty tight corner, and it can be difficult to see cars coming around the bend! The carpark is very basic, with a graveled area and a sign leading the way down to the bay.

The walk is very short – 10 minutes one way – and zig-zags down through lush forest before emerging at Governors Bay! The trail is well-maintained and smooth, with only a short incline on the way back.

4. Go Swimming at Ngakuta Bay!

Ngakuta Bay is probably one of the most popular bays along the Queen Charlotte Drive, and is a fantastic bay for families! This beautiful bay is wide and shallow, with a long expanse of golden sand and crystal-clear water. There is a large grassy area (perfect for picnics), a boat ramp, and a long jetty – where you can look down into the water and watch for fish and stingrays as they glide past! The bay is also known for its incredible starfish, which are bright orange and very easy to spot against the sandy bottom.

This also makes for an awesome rest spot as it has all the necessary road trip facilities: a large car park, picnic tables, and public toilets. However there isn’t much in the way of shops or cafes, so make sure you have some lunch packed!

5. Hike the Queen Charlotte Track

Okay, so technically this isn’t exactly on the drive from Picton to Nelson, but I just had to include the incredible Queen Charlotte Track! This is one of the most popular multi-day hikes in the South Island and is a part of the New Zealand Great Walks.

This stunning walk spans the length of the Queen Charlotte Sound, from Ship Cove in the north all the way down to Anakiwa in the south. The whole walk takes around 5 days to complete, however, there are several short day-walks that you can do if you are pressed for time!

6. Stretch Your Legs at the Cullen Point Lookout

As you near the end of the Queen Charlotte Drive, there is one more incredible lookout to explore! The Cullen Point Lookout offers some spectacular views over the Pelorus Sound and the nearby town of Havelock and gives you a chance to stretch your legs and admire the scenery.

Cullen Point Walks

From the carpark, there is a short but steep walk up to the viewpoint, but the panoramic views over the sounds are definitely worth it! If you are looking for a slightly longer walk, you can embark on the Cullen Point Coastal Track. This is a loop track that takes you around the edge of the peninsula and through stunning native bush and takes just over an hour to complete. It can get quite muddy, so make sure you have some decent shoes!

7. Eat some Mussels in Havelock

From Cullen Point, the road turns around the corner, giving you your first glimpse over the quaint, seaside town of Havelock. Nestled at the bottom of Pelorus Sound, Havelock is a hidden gem of the Marlborough region, and is worth exploring!

Havelock may be small, but don’t let that fool you! This lovely town is full of things to see, with charming cafes, art galleries, fantastic restaurants, and a bustling marina. It is known as the ‘Green Shell Mussel Capital of the World,’ and is famous for its incredible, fresh seafood. All along the main street, you will see food trucks, pubs, and restaurants – all serving up tasty treats straight from the ocean! See if you can spot the fantastic Greenshell mussel statues dotted around town.

Apart from eating (my favorite pastime), there is a lot to see and do in Havelock. It is a great base for exploring the stunning Pelorus Sound, whether by kayak or by joining the iconic Pelorus Mail Boat as it makes its daily deliveries. If you just want to stroll around town, you can check out the Havelock Museum or admire work by local artists in The Gallery.

8. Explore the famous Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve

Nestled in the lush countryside of Marlborough is the Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve. This hidden gem on the drive from Picton to Nelson is centered around the incredible Pelorus River, which flows down from the Richmond Ranges and out into the Pelorus Sound.

A stop at this scenic reserve is a must! It is known for its stunning forest walks, crystal-clear water, and – for all you movie buffs out there – it’s use as a filming location in the Lord of the Rings movie, The Hobbit. You can stand on the bridge and imagine the famous ‘barrel scene’, there the dwarfs escape in barrels down the roaring Pelorus River!

9. Take a Detour to Cable Bay and Pepin Island

Now this is a little detour along the drive from Picton to Nelson, but if you have the time, it’s a beautiful place to explore! Cable Bay is a small settlement located around 18 km north of Nelson and is an awesome place for swimming and kayaking around the calm waters. From the Cable Bay Lookout, you can see over the inlet towards Pepin Island, which is a privately owned island and working sheep farm!

Cable Bay Walkway

The Cable Bay Walkway is a stunning track that stretches from Cable Bay all the way down to Glen Road, and takes over 3.5 hours one-way! However, if you are just looking for a short walk with some stunning views, then you can enjoy the walk from Cable Bay to the Sentinel Lookout. This section takes you to the summit of Sentinel Hill (250 m) and offers some spectacular views over the coastline and Pepin Island! This is a fairly easy walk, but can be steep in sections – so make sure you have good walking shoes!

10. Welcome to Nelson!

And finally… you’ve made it! Welcome to the beautiful city of Nelson, the main center of the Nelson-Tasman region and a thriving hub of arts and crafts, craft beer, and fantastic markets! Nelson is one of my favorite cities in New Zealand and a lovely place to stop and enjoy for a day or two. It is also the best place to stay if you are looking to explore the stunning Abel Tasman National Park!

Things to Do in Nelson

Know Before You Go: Driving from Picton to Nelson via Queen Charlotte Drive

What is the Best Time to Drive the Queen Charlotte Drive?

The best time to drive from Picton to Nelson via Queens Charlotte Drive is during the summer and early autumn months (December – March) when the weather is beautiful and sunny! This is the best time to explore all that this road trip has to offer – from going for beautiful walks in the reserve or swimming at one of the many secluded beaches!

How to Get from Picton to Nelson: Public Transport

Bus Picton to Nelson

If you are looking at exploring the beautiful drive from Picton to Nelson, but don’t want to drive, then you can catch a bus! Intercity runs daily services that travel from Picton to Nelson, with several stops on the way. The bus heads towards Blenheim, before stopping in Havelock and Pelorus Bridge, and finally arriving in Nelson!

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