The moment we stepped outside, the day greeted us with sound before anything else: cicadas, hundreds of them buzzing from the trees as if they’d been waiting for us to arrive. Their chorus followed us from the ship to the shuttle, a bright, summery soundtrack that stayed with us all day.

The shuttle ride into Picton was beautiful—sunny, calm, and framed by hills that looked freshly washed. And then the town appeared: a tiny harbour tucked into the green folds of the Marlborough Sounds, with steep hills rising around a sheltered bay where ferries and sailboats glide in slow motion. It’s the kind of place most people outside New Zealand have never heard of, but instantly fall a little in love with.

The moment we stepped off the shuttle, the wind came rushing through the streets—strong, playful, and determined to make itself known. We found ourselves laughing as we leaned into it, half convinced it might blow us sideways.

Walking Picton with Hannah and Andy

Our walking tour with Hannah and Andy turned that blustery morning into something genuinely memorable. They shared stories of Picton’s past, pointed out native plants, and explained how people once used them. One leaf in particular stole the show—apparently useful as a postcard, a bandage, or even toilet paper in the bush. It was the kind of quirky detail that sticks with you.

Down by the waterfront, the water was so clear we could see jellyfish drifting below the surface, their slow pulsing almost hypnotic. And then, as if Picton wanted to impress us even more, a very large stingray glided past—wide, dark, and impossibly graceful. A little wildlife magic tucked into an already full day.

A Sweet Finish

By the end of the tour, the wind had softened just enough for a final treat: hokey pokey ice cream, cold and perfect even on a chilly day. With the cicadas still buzzing overhead and the harbour sparkling below the hills, it felt like the perfect ending to a very Picton kind of day—small, charming, and full of surprises.