Picton has been variously described as a "picturesque seaside town", "slice of paradise", "bustling coastal township" and "half asleep in winter hyperactive in summer". We arrived on a wet, overcast day and I think they forgot to tell the township that a cruise ship was in!!!

Perhaps the most exciting part of the day was being greeted by the "flower ladies of Picton" with a beautiful fresh handmade corsage. Cruise shuttles are waiting to take you on the short (10 minute) transfer to Picton and the local i-site Visitor Information Centre. Grab a copy of the self-guided walking map of Picton to help you explore the town or get yourself organised beforehand and take a tour of the magnificent Marlborough wine regions.

Picton was originally a Māori settlement named Te Wera a Waitohi, established in 1828 by the Taranaki tribe, Te Āti Awa. In 1850, the Te Āti Awa agreed to sell the land to Thomas Dillon on behalf of the New Zealand Company. The tribe promptly moved to nearby Waikawa Bay and the land was surveyed and sold. Over the following years, there was much debate about what the Anglicised name of the settlement should be. It was named Horne Bay and Newton for a time, whilst the names Cromwell and Beaconsfield were recommended. Eventually, though, the town was named in reverence of Sir Thomas Picton, an English war hero who had fought and died under the Duke of Wellington in the Battle of Waterloo.

Edwin Fox Maritime Museum Based around what is currently the world's 9th oldest ship, this museum captures a slice of New Zealand's history in one of the most authentic ways possible. You can visit the actual physical body of the Edwin Fox - a teak and timber trade ship constructed in India back in 1853 - try out the straw mattress, try out the convict cell, learn about what life was like for those onboard. This is the last surviving ship that took convicts to Australia.

Walks to Bobs Bay and The Snout Depending on your level of fitness, amount of time and/or degree of difficulty there are a number of tracks you can walk that takes you from Shelley Beach along to Bobs Bay (1 hour return), Snout Track (3 hours return) and even further into Queen Charlotte Sound (multi-day hikes). Along the track, there are many opportunities to get a great photo of the township as well as an appreciation for the flora of the area. I did the walk to Bobs Bay as I was on my own and not sure of the time factor etc. Beautiful scenery despite the rain and I am sure the town would have looked stunning if the sun had shone......oh well.....better luck next time!!!