111
For all emergencies.
Emergency Number
New Zealand Dollar ($)
Local Currency
4,800 (2022)
Population
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Local Time
UTC+12 until 3:00am on 28Sep25, then UTC+13
Time Zone
English
Māori
New Zealand Sign Language
Official/Primary Languages
Port Essentials
Everything you need to know for your visit to Picton.
Cruise Terminal
General Information
New Zealand Dollar (NZD $).
Below we've listed some conversion rates for the New Zealand Dollar against popular international currencies. The exchange rates are based on 100 NZD, are refreshed once per day and were last updated on 20 Aug 2025
Currency | Equivalent |
---|---|
USD | 58.34 |
EUR | 49.98 |
GBP | 43.31 |
AUD | 90.62 |
CAD | 80.88 |
JPY | 8577.00 |
CNY | 418.38 |
To convert custom amounts, or to see the exchange rate of the New Zealand Dollar against different currencies, try our currency converter by clicking the button below.
Credit cards, such as Visa, MasterCard are widely accepted in Picton. However, smaller businesses may not accept American Express due to higher transaction fees.
Tap-and-pay options like Apple Pay and Google Pay are generally accepted in New Zealand. You can use these methods at most retailers, including Interislander ferries, as well as for other services.
Most shops are required to close on Christmas Day, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, and ANZAC Day (until 1:00pm).
Staying connected in Picton, New Zealand, is easy, especially for travellers passing through the ferry terminal or exploring the town centre:
Interislander Ferry Terminal and Ferries: Free Wi-Fi is available at the terminal and onboard the ferries, making it easy to stay connected while traveling between the North and South Islands.
Marlborough District Libraries – Picton Branch: Located at 2 Dublin Street, this library offers free Wi-Fi access during opening hours along with public computers and study areas.
Marlborough FreeSpot Wireless Network: Offers 1 hour of free Wi-Fi daily in Picton’s town centre. Simply connect to the “Marlborough FreeSpot” network and follow the prompts to log in.
A note of caution: Public Wi-Fi is convenient, but it’s not always secure. Avoid logging into sensitive accounts or entering personal information when connected to open networks. Consider using a VPN for additional security.
PortQuest recommends Nomad eSIM
Whether you're checking maps, messaging friends, or booking last-minute tours, staying connected matters. That’s why we recommend Nomad eSIMs — one of the best travel eSIMs on the market (and we've tried a few!)
Nomad offers reliable, affordable data in over 100 countries, including most cruise ports. No physical SIM swap, no roaming surprises — just install and go.
Get a Nomad eSIMTransportation
Below is a list of common transport options for cruise ship visitors. We haven't included every possible choice — public transport, for example, is not listed since most visitors won't need it for a short, one-day stay.
Train
Website: Click here.
Phone: +64 3 974 1812
Taxi
Website: Click here.
Phone: +64 3 573 5151
Phone: +64 3 577 5511
Website: Click here.
Phone: 0800 25 25 20
Phone: 0800 802 225
Phone: 0800 924 529
Water Taxi
Website: Click here.
Phone: 0800 844 844
Website: Click here.
Phone: 0800 50 40 90
Website: Click here.
Phone: 0800 25 25 20
Picton is a compact and pedestrian-friendly town. The town center, waterfront, and key attractions, including the ferry terminal, are within easy walking distance of each other.
Several walking trails, like the Tirohanga Track, offer scenic walks within the town and its surrounding areas.
Safety & Health
Call 111
Notes: For all emergencies: fire, police, ambulance.
Level 1 – Exercise Normal Safety Precautions
The security environment is similar to that of a large Australian city.
- Use common sense and look out for suspicious behaviour.
- Monitor media for changes to local conditions.
- Check entry requirements before you travel.
Not sure what these levels mean? Learn more about travel advice levels.
Smartraveller is the official travel advice service of the Australian Government. While primarily aimed at Australian citizens, PortQuest believes it offers practical, up-to-date safety guidance for travellers worldwide. See the full advisory on Smartraveller.gov.au .
Last updated: 17 Mar 2025
Weather
°C °F | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Maximum Temp | 20.6 | 20.4 | 18.9 | 16.8 | 14.8 | 12.7 | 11.9 | 12.4 | 13.6 | 15.5 | 17.1 | 19 |
Minimum Temp | 14.6 | 14.8 | 13.6 | 12.1 | 10.4 | 8.7 | 7.6 | 8 | 8.8 | 10 | 11.6 | 13.6 |
Avg Rainfall (mm) | 55 | 68 | 63 | 90 | 80 | 103 | 77 | 92 | 80 | 74 | 75 | 81 |
Avg Rainy Days | 7 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 11 |
Daylight Hours | 14.8 | 13.7 | 12.4 | 11 | 9.8 | 9.2 | 9.5 | 10.5 | 11.8 | 13.2 | 14.4 | 15.1 |
Avg UV Index | 9.1 | 8.5 | 7.3 | 5.5 | 3.8 | 2.6 | 3 | 4.5 | 6.3 | 7.7 | 8.7 | 9.1 |
Best Time to Visit
Cruise ships usually just spend one precious day in port — and we want to help you make the most of it.
To give you the best chance of an enjoyable visit, we’ve created a custom “Best Time to Visit” score for each month, unique to each destination. The score is calculated using factors that are likely to matter the most:
- Comfortable temperatures
- Lower rainfall and fewer rainy days
- More daylight hours
- Moderate UV levels
Each score is based on historical monthly averages and adjusted for each port’s climate. We weight the above factors — for example, long daylight hours and fewer wet days matter more when you're only ashore for part of the day. That's also why no month gets a 10/10, as there's always a trade-off. For example, warmer weather and clear skies comes with higher UV (and more sweat!).
This chart isn't meant to suggest that a port is bad to visit outside the highest rated months — each season provides something memorable for each location. But if you’re deciding when to cruise, this will hopefully give you the best chance of having perfect weather on your visit.
Temperature Chart
Rainfall Chart
UV Index Chart
1–2: Low
3–5: Moderate
6–7: High
8–10: Very High
>10: Extreme
Tours & Experiences
Each tour you see below has been selected for cruise ship visitors. For example, each tour has Free Cancellation, as most of us have experiened the stress of trying to refund a tour when a port visit is cancelled or an itinerary changed on short notice. They're also no more than 6 hours in length, leaving you plenty of time to make dinner on the ship, or explore the port further on foot.
By booking through our links, you help support PortQuest and allow us to continue providing valuable content to enhance your port visits (at no extra cost to you).
Top Attractions
Discover the top attractions in Picton, selected for cruise passengers!
Marlborough Sounds
View DetailsPortQuest Picks
Our team has hand-selected these tours to showcase the best and most unforgettable experiences each port has to offer — ones we've either personally enjoyed or have at the top of our bucket list.
Browse Tours

Full-Day Marlborough Wine Tour Including Wine Tasting
Enjoy a relaxing day out around some of the beautiful wineries in Marlborough. Learn about the regions great wines and sample at least 4 wines at each cellar do...
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Discover Marlborough Wine - Afternoon Marlborough Wine Tour
Join the team from 'the original Marlborough Wine Tours and Discover New Zealand's premier wine region on this half-day tour with pick up options from Picton an...
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Flight Experience our Water and Wilderness Scenic Tour
Tour participants see the full grandeur of the Queen Charlotte, Kenepuru and Pelorus Sounds in one experience that can only be done by air. And get to stop by a...
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Shore Excursion Marlborough Wine Region Tour from Picton
This tour is for Cruise Ship passengers arriving in Picton, New Zealand Explore New Zealand's premier wine region on this 5-6 hr tour from Picton. Visit four d...
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Private Marlborough Winery Tour
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 a...
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Marlborough Sounds Greenshell Mussel Tasting Cruise
Enjoy the natural beauty of the Marlborough Sounds, at the top of New Zealand's South Island, with this indulgent Greenshell Mussel Cruise. On the cruise you'll...
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Private Guided Marlborough Wine Tour From Picton NZ
Join one of our experienced wine tour guides for a day out in the Marlborough region. You can choose to visit all wineries or you might want to add a gin or bee...
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Bird Watching and Dolphin Eco-Tour from Picton
This Wildlife and Dolphin tour offers an amazing, fully-guided experience to complete your visit to Marlborough! You will have the opportunity to see rare seas...
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Captain Cook and Dolphin Cruise
This tour offers an amazing fully-guided experience to complete your visit to Marlborough! Guided by enthusiastic Marine Biologists, you are sure to spot some r...
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Picton & Blenheim Scenic Tour
Travel in a comfortable van, relax and watch the countryside out the window as we go from location to location. Guide lives locally and will tell you all about ...
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Marlborough Wine Tasting Tour.
Travel in a comfortable van, watch the beautiful countryside go by as we drive from location to location. Sample 4 different local wines at 4 different location...
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Queen Charlotte Sound Mail Boat Cruise
The Mail has been delivered by boat for over 150 years in the Queen Charlotte Sounds, we are the only official licensed New Zealand Post Rural Delivery Service ...
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Motuara Wildlife Sanctuary Tour and Dolphin Cruise from Picton
The best experience in Marlborough. This tour offers an amazing, fully-guided experience wildlife. A small-group tour to view some of New Zealand’s spectacular ...
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Private Shore Excursion: Explore Marlborough from Picton
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 tre...
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Marlborough Sounds Ultimate Cruise
The best experience in Marlborough. This tour offers an amazing, fully-guided experience wildlife. A small-group tour to view some of New Zealand’s spectacular ...
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Seafood Odyssea Marlborough Sounds Cruise from Picton
Relax and enjoy the stunning Marlborough Sounds, at the top of New Zealand's South Island on this cruise. The cruise features a tasting of local salmon, and Gre...
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Private Excursion: Scenic and Seascape Delights from Picton
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 tre...
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3.5 Hour Marlborough Sounds Delivery Cruise
Take a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at daily life in the unique and isolated Marlborough Sounds as we deliver goods and passengers to far-flung jetties an...
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Half-Day Cruise in Marlborough Sounds from Picton
Visit Ship Cove on a morning boat cruise that explores the Marlborough Sounds, a broad network of waterways that makes up 20 percent of New Zealand’s coastline....
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Motuara Island Bird Sanctuary and Ship Cove Cruise from Picton
Cruise from Picton Harbour to Motuara Island and beyond to see rare native birds and other wildlife on this 4.5-hour boat excursion. Spend time exploring Motuar...
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CRUISE SHIP DAY Marlborough Hop On Hop Off Wine Tours
THIS IS A CRUISE SHIP ONLY TICKET. TRAVELERS WHO ARE NOT CRUISE SHIP PASSENGERS CANNOT BOOK THIS TICKET. IF WE DISCOVER YOU ARE NOT CRUISE SHIP PASSENGERS YOU W...
Find out morePicton Travel Map
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