One Day in Picton, New Zealand

Picton is a small town of only a few thousand residents located on the south island of New Zealand. A port town on the northern coast of the island, Picton serves as the most popular entryway to the south island from the north. The ferry ride between Wellington and Picton takes about 4 hours, so if you’re looking for the best (and free) way to spend the second half of your day upon arrival – look no further.

While Milford Sound is the most well-known fiord in New Zealand – if not the world – there are also beautiful sounds along the northern coast of the south island as well! Since Picton is located right within the Marlborough Sounds, we recommend spending the rest of your day hiking to see its stunning views.

Hike the Picton Snout Trail

Only a six minute drive to its carpark from the heart of Picton, the Picton Snout Trail is a great way to finish out your day after arriving from the morning ferry. Only about 2.5 miles (4 km) each way, the Picton Snout Trail is an out and back trail with only a moderate elevation gain of around 1000 feet (300 m). On average it takes about two and a half hours to complete, but there’s a beautiful green patch right along the Waikawa Bay water at the trail’s end if you’d like to pack a picnic and extend your journey.

The Picton Snout Trail is free for entry and easily accessible by car, with free parking located at the trailhead (Snout Track Car Park, Picton 7220, New Zealand). The pathways are clearly identifiable and well maintained. Mostly made of packed dirt, you should be safe to walk the trail with any comfortable footwear, but there are some rocky patches so hiking boots may be nice if you have them.

Part of the Victoria Domain Reserve, the Picton Snout Trail runs right along the coast of the nearby inlets, providing surreal views of the surrounding sound at every turn. A relatively easy hike, you probably wont need to take many breaks to rest – but you should definitely prioritize taking breaks for photos!

The end of the trail leads to a cleared, grassy landing, nicknamed “the Snout.” Here, you can walk right up to the water’s edge and marvel at the clear, deep shades of blue in the surrounding bays. It is also a popular spot to set up camp for an hour or so and enjoy a picnic or a catch.

While New Zealand’s north island certainly has its merits, this first hike through Picton will undoubtedly convince you that the south island holds far more beauty. And that’s saying something. If you find yourself wanting to extend your stay in the area, or simply would like to fit more than one hike in during your day, a list of all of the nature trails in the Victoria Domain Reserve are provided here.

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