Lauren from HQ Trade Team
The Seafood Odyssea Cruise tour out of Picton is pretty amazing for sampling local seafood while enjoying the stunning Marlborough Sounds.
Road Trip Picton to Kaikoura Drive: 6 Places to see
The Picton to Kaikoura drive is filled with stunning scenery and fun pit stops. A road trip along this route deserves the chance for you to press pause and take in the South Island’s beauty. The fact that this route takes place on one highway (SH1) also makes it a trip that’s easy to follow and hard to miss each attraction.
Don’t know how to fit everything into your road trip? Let us give you the inside scoop on the Picton to Kaikoura drive, complete with a comprehensive itinerary. That way, we can ensure you make the most of your Kiwi adventure.
To make things easy for yourself, why not pick up a car in Nelson, choosing from our wide range of vehicles? If you’re prone to going with the flow, we’d recommend a one-way rental so you can keep the party going and not worry about having to end your journey at the final destination.
Quick Stats
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Trip distance: 161 km
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Days: 3
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Car recommendation: Large cars/SUVs or Hybrid vehicle
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Suitable for: Adventure-seekers, nature-lovers and families
Road Trip Map
How long is the Picton to Kaikoura drive?
The Picton to Kaikoura drive spans approximately 161 km and will take you roughly 2 hours to drive without any stops.
However, to get the most out of your road trip, we’d recommend allocating 3 days to comfortably allow for fun activities on the way! To help get you started, we have created a comprehensive guide to the key attractions to be found along the journey – there’s plenty to be found just within the 2-hour drive.
So, strap in for the adventure of a lifetime with our 3-day itinerary for New Zealand's South Island! Just extend or revise to suit your timeframe as needed or desired.
Picton to Kaikoura Tips from our Local Staff!
Kia Ora from our award-winning employees! We are passionate about New Zealand and have put together our insider local tips to GO the extra mile for our customers!
Tina from the Nelson Branch
Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre is an aviation museum located at the Omaka airfield, 5km from the centre of Blenheim. There are some amazing exhibitions from World War 1 and World War 2. It's one of the places we visit often when we visit Blenheim. Also, the Omaka cafe has amazing food, along with a souvenir shop that also has plenty of seating inside and out. Worth the visit.
Duyen from HQ Marketing Team
One of my most unforgettable South Island experiences was swimming up close with dusky dolphins in Kaikoura. It was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Wendy from the Nelson Branch
Kaikoura is a great place to GO whale watching, and don’t forget to stop by Kaikoura Seafood BBQ for lunch. Enjoy fresh crayfish with stunning ocean views!!
1 Arrive in Picton
Before you set off on your road trip, take some time to enjoy the coastal town of Picton. Whether you’re in the mood for a tipple or a wildlife sighting, we have considered an activity to suit everyone.
Read on to learn our top recommendations for Picton.
Marlborough Sounds
Right off the bat, one of the most popular things to do in Picton is to take a cruise of Marlborough Sounds. This is the South Island’s iconic coastline packed full of hidden sea delights that are always ready to be explored.
The cruise can involve a wine tour stop as well as lunch on the boat, along with everything the sea has to offer. Common sightings include seals and dolphins that are bound to keep the kids entertained too!
Picton Foreshore
Speaking of kids, Picton Foreshore tops the list with a beautiful beach that offers more than meets the eye. The picturesque area offers a pirate-themed playground, mini-golf, and a massive shaded park that promises a day packed with activities. Let the kids loose while you soak up some vitamin D and enjoy the sea breeze.
If it's low tide, why not also spend the evening picnicking on the sand with the family? Just don't forget a blanket in case it gets cold.
Edwin Fox Maritime Museum
Climb aboard the oldest surviving merchant sailing ship in the world, and get a feel for what life on a 19th-century convict ship was like. Highlights include exploring the hull and seeing where the crew slept for a bit of history in action.
2 Picton to Blenheim (28 km – 24 minutes)
Just a hop, skip and a jump away from Picton, Blenheim is a must for foodies and wine lovers! As the largest town in the Marlborough wine region, it comes highly recommended by us.
With so much amazing food and wine to try, we'd recommend allocating more time than expected to this culinary haven. That way, you can tick everything off everything on your list!
Wairau River Wines
These incredible vineyards promise an outstanding restaurant and cellar door experience.
Not only does Wairau offer outdoor seating to soak in the stunning views, but their focus on sustainable practices is a big point of differentiation for their high-quality wine.
Makana Confections
Next, head to Makana Confections for free chocolate tastings and a behind-the-scenes look at how chocolate is made. You’ll be tempted to take every new chocolate home yourself!
Then, make your way to the main street for a more filling meal. The much-loved restaurant, Gramado's Restaurant & Bar, is where Brazilian cuisine meets Marlborough Region in a fusion of flavours. We highly recommend making a pitstop there before hitting the road once more.
Marlborough Farmers Markets
In Blenheim over the weekend? Check out Marlborough Farmers’ Markets, held every Sunday morning for artisanal goods and fresh local produce.
Pick up some groceries for a home-cooked meal to enjoy the authentic taste of the South Island.
3 Blenheim to Kekerengu (68 km - 52 minutes)
Straight out of a movie, Kekerengu beach boasts rugged pebbly shores set in contrast to its clear turquoise blue waters. With the Kaikoura mountain ranges in the background, it couldn’t be more picture-perfect. This is a must-see in the South Island!
Cape Campbell Lighthouse
Everybody loves a picturesque lighthouse, don’t they? The Cape Campbell Lighthouse does not disappoint. With quaint black and white stripes and standing 22 metres tall on the stunning coastline, this lighthouse is the perfect backdrop for those all-important road trip photos. Time your visit right as it is only accessible during low tide from Marfells Beach.
Kekerengu Beach
After a morning of driving, you should stop for some relaxation and tranquillity on the serene Kekerengu beach. With calm waters and views of the rugged green coastline, it’s a beautiful beach for solitude or downtime with your road trip group. Grab a bite to eat at The Store nearby for panoramic views and a cosy open fire during winter.
4 Kekerengu to Waipapa Bay (24 km – 20 minutes)
Just a short 20-minute drive from Kekerengu, Waipapa Bay is home to amazing marine life. Make sure you try the Karaka Lobster (known as the Southern Rock Lobster) which is abundant in the area. This unique lobster has distinctive long spines and vibrant colours and is a delicious delicacy in local restaurants. Trust us, you should try it.
Waiau Toa/Clarence River
As the eighth longest river in New Zealand, there is a lot to get stuck into at Waiau Toa. From rafting excursions along the grade 2 and 3 rapids to multi-day Packrafting adventures. The river holds deep cultural significance for the Maori Ngati Kuri, and you can learn all about its spiritual importance.
Okiwi Bay Beach
For a serene coastline stop, the pristine waters and white sand at Okiwi Bay Beach are an absolute winner. With rolling hills of lush greenery and rich marine life, you can spend a few hours here getting lost in the natural beauty of the region.
5 Waipapa Bay to Half Moon Bay (18 km - 18 minutes)
While you may think there’s a limit to how many beaches you can visit before you get sick of them, the limit does not exist in New Zealand.
Half Moon Bay is a prime example of the South Island’s never-ending beach beauty. With ample space to kayak, sunbathe, swim, and paddleboard, it’s a must-visit pitstop on the way to Kaikoura.
6 Half Moon Bay to Kaikoura (22 km - 19 minutes)
This final leg of the journey might be saving the best ‘til last!
Kaikoura is one of the most beautiful places in New Zealand. Backdropped by the Kaikoura mountain ranges and surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, it’s not hard to see why tourists and locals alike flock to it.
Here are our favourite things to do in Kaikoura.
Helicopter whale-watching tour
You may have spotted these lovable mammals from the water on your road trip, but have you seen them from the sky? Helicopter whale-watching tours are a great way to see the well-loved animals while also ticking off the bucket list item of riding in a helicopter!
Kayaking tour
Kayak alongside dusky dolphins and little blue penguins on a guided tour where you’ll also learn a lot about local Maori and Kaikoura culture.
Dolphins and whales are more active at sunset, so you get the added bonus of beautiful red skies with your wildlife sightings!
Swim with dolphins
If spotting wildlife from a distance doesn’t scratch your itch, get up close and personal with dolphin swims around Kaikoura!
Hang ten
People travel from all over the world to catch a wave at Kaikoura. Join the trend and dive right in with a surfboard of your own.
But again, the water is cool in New Zealand, so make sure to pack your wetty!
Picton to Kaikoura road trip tips?
The drive from Picton to Kaikoura is a safe one, but we’ve picked up some road trip tips along the way to ensure it's a smooth one.
Picton to Kaikoura Through the Lense of our Customers
Our Snap Happy Photo Competition has customers revv’d up about how far they can go in a modern car hire in New Zealand! Submit a cool photo of your GO travel memory and be in with a chance to WIN up to $500 back from your booking too.
Sabrina
Had the best scenic drive of our lives after taking the ferry from North to South Island and making our way from Picton.
Merle
We just picked up the car and we're super happy to start our road trip for 2 weeks in the South Island. Where we, in the end, drove 2000km in 10 days! It was great, so much freedom!!! We are visiting NZ and loved it!!
Kaye
A picture of the beautiful place we stayed in. Plus, a side view of the great Toyota rental we had. Very good value for money, very economical, and a good run about for the week. Took us to Blenheim and back and didn't even use 1 full tank of fuel.
Denise
We rented an environmentally-friendly electric car from GO Rentals to visit the beautiful Kaikoura. It's great to be able to easily rent a car with a smaller carbon footprint which may in turn help to preserve the beautiful natural landscapes of New Zealand. We hope to be back one day to explore more of New Zealand too!
One-Way Rentals Fueling Road Trips
The best part of a Kiwi road trip is the freedom of the open road. With GO One-Way Rentals, you can gear up for an epic South Island trip, without the stress of returning to your starting point in time for drop-off.
Pick up a one-way Nelson to Christchurch hire car for your drive to Kaikoura and continue the road trip vibes to our Christchurch Airport branch for drop-off.
One-way rentals are a great way to maximise your trip before you have to step on the breaks.
Get GOing on a South Island Adventure
Road-tripping from Picton to Kaikoura is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure! With GO Rentals, it’ll also be an unforgettable experience.
GO Rentals makes it easy to pick up and drop off your rental cars. We have 24-hour pick-up and drop-offs in some locations, with 9 convenient branches across New Zealand.
Plus, you can have peace of mind on your drive with our basic rental insurance coverage and 24-hour roadside assistance. All of which is included in your rental and Total Road Care package.
Pick your adventure avatar today from our complete vehicle range. We’ll GO with you every step of the way!
You can even download our GO App to reserve a car, book an airport shuttle from Christchurch, access your car hire info, and more. What are you waiting for?
