Compare Deals and Book a Cheap Car Rental in Picton 

Picton is located at the top of the South Island, and is home to one end of the Cook Strait Ferry service. It is the service town for the Marlborough Sounds, and gateway to the Queen Charlotte Sound. Boats are the life-blood of the town, and with one-fifth of New Zealand's coastline on its doorsteps, there are plenty of beautiful places to visit on a trip from Picton's waterfront jetties. 

Enjoy the heart of the sounds in your rental car

Getting the best deal on car hire doesn't need to be a time consuming task, as VroomVroomVroom has made booking a Picton car hire easy! Just visit our website, and put some simple details into the search engine. You'll see all available hire cars with details listed side-by-side for easy comparison. We compare current  car hire rates from New Zealand's most trusted suppliers of Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz and Thrifty. Once you receive your hire car confirmation, you're all set! Just collect your rental, and hit the road to Picton.

We are also proud to offer you the following advantages when booking with us:

1. Real People Running our Customer Care Centre - That's right, we actually have living, breathing people waiting to help you with your car rental booking and we are proud to say: they are the best in the business.

2. Live Chat - At VroomVroomVroom, we have a chat service during business hours through our website that allows you to ask questions as you go through the car hire booking process. You can also contact us us by phone or email.

Booking your car rental in Picton early REALLY PAYS OFF! Not only does it ensure you get the vehicle you want, but you get the great deals you want, too.

Get the Lowdown on the Interisland Ferry

We've put all the info you might need on Cook Strait Ferry travel in one place. As vehicles aren't insured on the ferry, companies will ask you to leave your vehicle in Picton, and fix you up with a replacement when you get to Wellington. They may consider this 'continuous hire' and let you have both cars under one-contract. Our expert customer care team can answer any questions on this and recommend the most affordable deal for your trip.

Dolphins: Your Picton Pals

Have you ever dreamed of swimming with dolphins? Well, there's good news for you! You can have a splash with these sea creatures in the lovely town of Picton, with E-Ko tours. This company, which is owned and operated by marine biologists, is award-winning, and offers wonderful wildlife cruises.

Drive to Bluebridge Cook Strait Ferry to enjoy a taste of warm Kiwi hospitality. As you sail through Cook Strait with the Bluebridge service you'll get to view amazing scenery, experience amicable service, and even see free big screen movies. The Cook Strait is considered to be one of the world's great scenic crossings.

Dolphins and whales like to keep Bluebridge's ferries company so if you're lucky, you may spot a couple of them diving on the water's surface.

Gateway to the South Island and heart of the sounds

Things to Do |   Places to Stay |  Places to Eat

Wilderness Guides - Queen Charlotte Track

 Address: The Waterfront, PO Box 610, Corner London Quay & Wellington Street

The Queen Charlotte Track is a unique experience which combines coastal views, the mystique of the Marlborough Sounds, and native bush. You can explore the track by walking, biking or cruising, with your pack transferred to each night's accommodation. Traversing the track can take between 1 and 5 days. Before you begin your adventure, it is best to seek assistance from Wilderness Guides.  Their Queen Charlotte Track specialists can arrange guided walking and hiking packages that will suit your budget.

New Zealand Walks

If you are searching for the best walking tracks around Picton, then professional hikers Steve and Juliet Gibbons of New Zealand Walks can help you with that. The Kiwi hikers have been providing guided as well as independent walking tours in South Island for more than 15 years. Their experience and knowledge is guaranteed to  make your adventure memorable. Whether you are exploring Queen  Charlotte Track or strolling along the Abel Tasman Coastal Track, you know you are in good hands when you've been guided by New Zealand Walks.

EcoWorld Picton Aquarium

 Address: 1 Auckland Street, Picton Foreshore

Have you ever wanted to pet a penguin? This is possible when you visit EcoWorld where you can get up close with adorable Little Blue penguins and other amazing animals such as the ancient tuatara, red eared turtles, and red crowned kakariki. You can also see different species of fish in their main marina tank. EcoWorld's knowledgeable and friendly staff are ready to give you an intimate and memorable experience.

E-Ko Tours

 Address: Picton Forshore, PO Box 197

For the ultimate wildlife, wilderness, and water adventure, make sure to get in touch with E-Ko Tours, which was formerly known as Dolphin Watch & Nature Tours. They offer tours that would get you closer to the wildlife and enjoy the picturesque views via scenic cruise. Their highly-experienced guides and skippers always do their best to provide best views of dolphins as well as fur seals and seabirds. If you are lucky, you may even see the largest dolphin species called orca or also known as the killer whale.  

Interislander Ferry 

Being home to the ferry terminal means that Picton is the gateway for inter-island travel in New Zealand. The ferry between the two islands will carry passengers and vehicles, and is considered one of the world's great scenic water crossings. As hire cars are not insured when travelling on ferries, your car rental company will ask you to leave your car on one side of Cook Strait, and arrange a replacement car after the crossing. So relax and enjoy the cruise, with a break from driving and a chance to enjoy the scenery. 

 Places to Stay

Bay Vista Waterfront Motel

 Address: 303 - 307 Waikawa Road, Picton

Enjoy spectacular waterfront location at Bay Vista, which is located in Waikawa Bay and just 5 minutes away via car hire from the Picton/Wellington ferry terminal. The town centre is also nearby thus making it easier to explore other attractions. There are several accommodation options to choose – ranging from one bedroom units to four bedroom apartments. This motel is the perfect refuge from exploring the Queen Charlotte Track and Marlborough Sounds.

Harbour View Motel Picton

 Address: 30 Waikawa Road, Picton 7250

Stay close to the beautiful Picton Harbour when you book your accommodation at Harbour View. The motel is just a stone's throw away from the Picton village and a great selection of restaurants and cafés. All of their studios and apartments offer breathtaking views of the harbour, marina, and the spectacular landscape. If you prefer more privacy, you can stay at their off-site waterfront apartment which is situated beside the Irish pub and has fantastic views of the Queen Charlotte Sound. 

Lochmara Lodge (Wildlife Recovery & Arts Centre)

With such a long name you would expect big things here.  If you're a nature lover, you'll find this accommodation location that extra bit special. The centre allows visitors to interact with bird species and geckos and be inspired by the fauna and flower species located in the Marlborough Sounds. Its the perfect holiday retreat location.

Jugglers Rest Backpackers

 Address: 8 Canterbury Street

This renovated historic villa is the town's smallest hostel offering beds for only 16 people. With its central location, it's an easy 10 min. stroll or 3 min. drive to town. Priding itself on an atmosphere which can't be beaten, you'll see why it has a 99% positive review rate.  The Huffington Post featured it as one of the 12 most awesome hostels in the world. Worth seeing what all the fuss is about. But get in quick.

Go back

Picton Village Bakkerij

  Address: 46 Auckland St

This award-winning bakery is owned by a Dutchman and his Kiwi wife, and with their home based knowledge have created the best reputable artisan breads, tasty sweets, satisfying savouries, healthy filled rolls and delectable, filling meat pies. It has everything that is expected to be found at a bakery, only better!

Hours:
Monday to Friday, 6.00am - 4.00pm
Saturday to Sunday, 6.00am - 3.30pm

Le Cafe Restaurant

 Address: Waterfront, 12-14 London Quay

Using the best of seasonal and local produce, you'll have the finest quality for your money at this cute cafe. Not only does it offer good food with a spectacular view, you'll be delighted with live music performances to make your experience that extra bit special.

Hours
Monday to Sunday, 7:30 am - 1:45 am

What's your favourite pick in Picton? Share your experiences below.