Nelson To Picton Weekend Roadie

Marty McFly yourself back a couple of centuries by popping off State Highway 6 at Canvastown, where an 1860s gold rush town still packs a punch in 19th century charm. In 1864, nearly £100,000 of gold was found in the surrounding Wakamarina Valley, making Canvastown a flood of (canvas) tents filled with fortune-seekers, i.e. a bunch of smelly dudes. Now, the spot doesn’t house much more than a vacant (but yellow!) church, retired store and old hotel, but there’s something about Canvastown which makes it hard to resist. Maybe there’s still a bit of gold in her yet. Grab a pint at the Trout Hotel which, built in 1903, embodies the historic legacy of this little riverside cove. It’s 5 o’clock somewhere.

For million-dollar views of the Pelorus Sound through the glittery waters of the Havelock Marina, the Slip Inn Café is a Marlborough must. A seafood mecca, with a sophisticated and shiny inner to boot, the Slip Inn is more than just a place to slip in to, it’s a place to stay for hours on end. In terms of the menu, you’re spoilt rotten for choice. Havelock is the green-lipped mussel capital of the world, so could you really order anything but the kilogram of these multicoloured mollusks, steamed in white wine, garlic and butter? We don’t think so, but a seafood platter wouldn’t go amiss either.

In you’re driving an EV, stop off at the Havelock Four Square to boost your charge. It’s a jaw-droppingly gorgeous but battery-suckingly hilly and windy road to get you to Picton, so you’ll need to charge for a good 20 minutes to keep you going. Drive slowly and carefully along this coastal road, the turns are sharp and narrow. But it’s worth it, trust us.

When you reach Picton, how about a hilltop walk to orientate yourself with your surroundings? The Tirohanga Track is a 45 minute steep climb through gorgeous chirping native bush, which brings you to a lookout with the kind of views that could usually only be seen from a plane. Start at Newgate Street or Garden Terrace to the top, then return on the loop track and through the Picton streets. When you hit the summit, take in the heart stopping vista of Picton, Waikawa and the Marlborough Sounds, in all their ocean-deep, mountain-high glory. It all looks so much better when you’ve sweated to get there, right?

Sitting pretty on the edge of the Picton Marina is Oxley’s Bar and Kitchen, a local frontrunner when it comes to dining (and all the wine-ing that comes with it at this time of the day). A classic Kiwi pub with food quality that should make more upper-class restaurants tremble in their boots, Oxley’s has all the makings of your new favourite spot. Grab a pint and bask outside amongst the charming bustle of the Picton waterfront, or soak up the pub atmosphere with a steak or fish & chips inside, where they screen live sports on Saturday nights. We told you it was a classic Kiwi pub.

Set up your nest at the Parklands Marina Holiday Park in Waikawa, just a 5 minute drive from Picton past the Victoria Domain. Offering campsites (powered and non-powered), cabins and self-contained units, this holiday park is surrounded by the beautiful native wildlife that defines the Marlborough Sounds. Picton’s peaceful and picturesque cousin, Waikawa will feel like the natural spot to pull up and make your home for the night. They also have parking available for electric vehicles, so you can rest easy knowing your wheels will be as ready for the next day’s adventures as you are.

Sometimes it’s the smallest spots that have the most to offer, and this sure rings true at Picton’s Gusto cafe, which serves breakfast and lunch daily for hungry and caffeine-deprived locals (and visitors). With enough character to compensate for its lack of space (with plenty left over too), Gusto is the perfect place to enjoy a salmon eggs bene in the sunshine. If you’re a coffee drinker, say hello to your new best friend. Gusto will give you the fuel to power through your day.

A unique collection of artisan stores, local dining and family-friendly activities, The Vines Village brings together the best of Blenheim and Marlborough into one convenient Rapaura package, with a pretty good view to tie it all together. The brainchild of local twins Tim and Jeff Fulton, this hub is a one-stop-shop for wine tasting, boutique shopping and all-round chilling out, with 4 hectares of lakeside grounds, free wifi, and live music on Sundays. Right in the heart of the Golden Mile, the cycling trail which features some of the best of Marlborough’s world-famous wine region, The Vines Village is the ultimate place to while away the rest of the morning before kicking into some afternoon vino tasting.

On your way back to Nelson, stop back off at the Havelock Four Square, because you’ll need a battery boost to make the remaining 73 km. Take one last look at the incredible waters and sunken valleys, it’s time to say a reluctant goodbye to the Marlborough Sounds.