Queen Charlotte Drive — Picton to Havelock MarlboroughSounds.
Distance
75 km
Duration
1 day
Climb
850 m
Queen Charlotte Drive — Picton to Havelock Marlborough Sounds.
A 35km coastal twisty road linking the Marlborough Sounds ferry port of Picton with the green-mussel town of Havelock. The road clings to the bushed slopes of Mahau Sound and Pelorus Sound, dipping into hidden bays and rising over native-forest ridges. Short distance but big rewards — and a perfect first ride off the Wellington–Picton inter-island ferry. Plan 90 minutes plus all the photo stops.
Quick facts
SurfacePaved
Distance75 km
Days1
Total climb850 m
DifficultyEasy
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The route.
Picton Ferry TerminalStart · Start at the Picton ferry terminal — gateway to the South Island. Fuel up before heading west on Queen Charlotte Drive.
Shakespeare Bay LookoutScenic Point · First lookout — view back to Picton harbour and the Cook Strait ferries leaving for Wellington. Wind shelter behind the ridge.
Governors BayPhoto Spot · Tight bushed coves. Pull off for the bird life — bellbirds and tui calling in the kowhai trees lining the road.
Cullen Point LookoutScenic Point · Panoramic views east into the Marlborough Sounds — countless inlets and steep bushed slopes. Best lookout of the drive.
Mahakipawa Arm Pull-offRestaurant · Quiet inlet of Pelorus Sound. Picnic spot — quick swim in summer. Native bush comes right to the waterline.
Havelock Mussel CapitalRestaurant · Try Pelorus Sound green-lipped mussels at the Mussel Pot. Best mussels in NZ. Lunch on the deck overlooking the harbour.
Havelock WharfEnd · End at Havelock Wharf. Mailboat ferries continue into Pelorus Sound for further exploration. Connect onwards to Nelson (75km) or Blenheim.
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