Scenic Stops: The best drive-to viewpoints of the Marlborough Sounds around Picton

The Marlborough Sounds is a photographers dream land – where lush mountains rise out of the emerald green water, endless coastlines wind their way around hidden bays, and where the beauty of nature will surprise and delight. The environment feels largely untouched – like the world was before humans inhabited it.

It is best seen and experienced on the water, but if this is not a possibility for you, then here are the best viewpoints you can drive to in and around Picton for the best views of the Marlborough Sounds.

Picton Scenic Overlook

This beautiful spot is walkable from Picton town, as well as driveable. It offers two great views. You can look north heading out Queen Charlotte Sound, or you can look over the Picton township.

(3256 Queen Charlotte Drive)

Picton Foreshore

Anyone who has visited Picton, will recognise this image. It’s iconic Picton, and very accessible, via car and by foot.

Shakespeare Bay Lookout

This spot is accessed on Queen Charlotte Drive, but just a 5 minute drive from the centre of Picton. The bay is a deep water harbour, that sits West of the main Picton harbour. It is separated by the wildlife sanctuary, Kaipupu Point.
This is where any large cruise ships berth – so if you want to gain an appreciation of just how big they are, this is your spot.

The wharf is also used for log exports, so you’ll certainly see plenty of those.

Queen Charlotte View – Endeavour Park

This lookout is a great one to gain a couple of different perspectives on the harbour, and to see a little further beyond. It’s accessed via Victoria Domain and ‘the Snout’. There are two viewpoints you can park and see from, make sure you stop at both of them, as they offer different views. (You can also hike to these viewpoints from Picton along the Snout trail.)

To access this view, drive along Waikawa Road, turn left into Sussex Street, then follow the road up the hill. There are three different viewing points you can park at at the top.

Waikawa Bay

There’s something about seeing boats moored in a bay – it’s just terribly scenic isn’t it?!

Waiwaka Marina has over 600 berths, so it’s a pretty big marina. As you’d expect, with the playground of the Marlborough Sounds on its doorstep.

This is a beautiful wee drive from Picton (5km), but so worth it for a different viewpoint.

Karaka Point

For one of the most expansive views over Queen Charlotte Sound, drive the 8km from Picton to Karaka Point . You’ll be glad you did (photos just don’t do it justice).

And if you’d like to stretch your legs, the reserve offers lots of options. There’s a historic Maori pa site, and a short walk (about 500m) through native bush to the end of the point. From here there’s a cliffside staircase down to a little beach.

Rahotia Saddle

If you’d like some photos of the Marlborough Sounds that not many will have, drive to this viewpoint. You’ll access it along Port Underwood Road. It’s about 7kms from Karaka Point. The road winds up almost continuously once you’ve passed Whatamango Bay. But the views are worth the climb.

You’ll be able to look down over Oyster Bay, and into the blue yonder.

If you want to continue your drive, you can drive down to Oyster Bay and Port Underwood from here.

And although you can drive from Oyster Bay through to Rarangi Beach and beyond to Blenheim, it is a gravel and very winding, in places narrow road, from Oyster Bay to Rarangi.

I hope you’ve enjoyed these snippets of beautiful viewpoints from Picton. The Marlborough Sounds is an incredibly scenic area – you’ll love the beautiful photos you’ll be able to capture in these spots.

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