Best Stops on the Drive from Picton to Abel Tasman National Park

The drive from Picton to Abel Tasman National Park is a popular route after arriving in the South Island via ferry.

While it’s a practical route to get from A to B, it’s also a super scenic drive with lots of lovely stops to make along the way, including photogenic viewpoints, food stops, and easy hikes.

I live in the South Island, and this is one of my favourite drives in New Zealand. In this guide, I’m sharing all of my top stops to help you plan your own trip.

This drive takes about 3.5 hours without stops (but you’re going to want to make at least a few stops!).

You can either do the drive in one day or break up your journey with a stay in the Marlborough Sounds or Nelson.

So let’s get to it. Here are the best stops on the drive from Picton to Abel Tasman National Park.

FYI: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase (at no extra cost to you). I only share products & services I use, love & would recommend to a friend.

Map of the drive from Picton to Abel Tasman National Park

Where to hire a car or campervan for your trip

🚗 Car hire: I recommend using Discover Cars to easily compare prices and vehicle models.

I also really like Apex Rentals—they often have the best prices, and they’ll even pay for the vehicle ferry from Wellington to Picton.

🚐 Campervan Hire: I use Motorhome Republic to compare prices on campervan rentals in New Zealand.

Stops on the drive from Picton to Abel Tasman National Park

Note: Unless you have a couple of days, you probably won’t have time for every stop on this drive, and that’s okay. Pick and choose which ones sound the most fun to you.

1. Picton

The Picton Harbour in moody morning lighting, with boats docked in the marina and the Interislander ferry in the background.

After crossing the Cook Strait from Wellington in the North Island, Picton is your first point of entry to the South Island, and it’s a beautiful one at that.

Picton is a small seaside port town on Queen Charlotte Sound. Depending on your ferry timings, you can either plan to stay here for a night or two, or continue on with your drive towards Abel Tasman National Park.

One thing I always love to do in Picton is grab a toasted sandwich and coffee from Toastie Lords, a casual spot for a quick meal.

If you have more time around Picton, you could hike the Snout Track, cruise on the Queen Charlotte Mail Boat, hop on a Marlborough wine tour, or day hike part of the Queen Charlotte Track (Ship Cove to Furneaux Lodge is an excellent option).

But if you’re keen to press on, you can hit the road right after getting off the ferry. The choice is yours!

Where to stay in Picton

Looking out the window from a room at the Bay Vista Motel in Picton, with a view of a marina filled with sailboats. — The Bay Vista Waterfront Motel is a great place to stay in Picton, with views of the water at your doorstep.

If you plan to stay overnight in Picton, I recommend the Bay Vista Waterfront Motel. It’s located in a lovely spot right on the water and is a tranquil place for a good night’s sleep.

2. Queen Charlotte Drive

Looking down at the Bluebridge and Interislander ferries in the Picton Harbour from the Picton Scenic Overlook at the start of Queen Charlotte Drive. — The view from the Picton Scenic Overlook at the start of Queen Charlotte Drive

There are two ways to get from Picton to Nelson: you can either go via the coastline on the scenic Queen Charlotte Drive, or drop down to Blenheim and take the inland route past many of Marlborough’s vineyards.

If it’s your first time visiting the area, I recommend Queen Charlotte Drive, a gorgeous 40km road that hugs the Marlborough Sounds.

It’s a winding and narrow road (so it might not be best if you’re prone to carsickness), but it’s a truly stunning drive with plenty of pullouts for views and photo opportunities.

The next couple of stops are highlights along Queen Charlotte Drive. If you’d prefer to go the Blenheim way, you can skip the next two stops and pick back up on stop five below (Havelock).

3. Momorangi Bay

Campervans parked by the water at the Momorangi Bay DOC Campground along Queen Charlotte Drive in the Marlborough Sounds.

At Momorangi Bay, you’ll find a beautiful waterfront DOC campground that’s a wonderful place to camp if you’re travelling in a campervan.

Even if you don’t plan to camp, this is a nice place to stop for a leg stretch at the day-use area.

4. Cullen Point Lookout

A view of the turquoise waters of Pelorus Sound from the Cullen Point walking trail along Queen Charlotte Drive.

Stop here to walk to the Cullen Point Lookout. The walk to the lookout takes about 10 minutes return and offers beautiful views over Mahau Sound.

For a longer walk, you can opt for the 1-hour Cullen Point Coastal Track, which leads to sweeping views over Pelorus Sound and is worth the effort if you’re up for it.

5. Havelock

Havelock is a small town at the head of Pelorus Sound, known as the Greenshell Mussel Capital of New Zealand. If you’re keen to try the local delicacy, this is a great stop for lunch.

I love getting lunch at the Mussel Pot, where you can order a pot of mussels steamed in your choice of broth, with options like cream, garlic, and herbs; or coriander, ginger, and coconut cream.

6. Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve

The green-blue Pelorus River at the Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve, with rocky shores and native bush-covered hills on each side of the river.

Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve is a beautiful forested area set along the Pelorus River.

It’s home to a great DOC campground, lovely walking tracks, and swimming holes along the river.

Whenever I’m passing by Pelorus Bridge on a nice day, I have to stop for a swim. It’s one of my favourite wild swimming spots in the country. If you love swimming too, I highly recommend stopping here.

For those of you travelling in a campervan, the campground here is a lovely place to set up camp (it’s easily one of my favourite campgrounds in the South Island!).

7. Nelson

Leafy views over Nelson City from the walk to the Centre of New Zealand.

The interior of the Free House craft beer pub in Nelson, with wooden furniture and quirky artwork on the walls. — From top: Views from the “Centre of New Zealand” monument; the Free House pub in Nelson

Nelson is a small, sun-soaked city at the top of the South Island. It’s a great place to spend a night or two, but it’s worth visiting even if you only have an hour.

In Nelson, you’ll find lots of great places to grab coffee or food. I love Little Dove for brunch, Victus Cafe for coffee and matcha, and Burger Culture for—you guessed it—delicious burgers. Craft beer lovers will want to visit the Free House, a craft beer pub set in a former church.

If you have some extra time around Nelson, it’s lovely to go for a walk along the Maitai River and connect to the trail leading to the historic Centre of New Zealand monument, which offers sweeping views over the city and sea.

Where to stay in Nelson

A hotel room with a balcony at Delorenzo's Apartments & Studios in Nelson, New Zealand. — DeLorenzo’s is my favourite place to stay in Nelson!

Consider staying overnight in Nelson if you’d like to break up the drive to Abel Tasman.

Whenever I visit Nelson, I always stay at Delorenzo’s Studio Apartments.

The location is perfect for walking to the Maitai River and city centre, and the units have a washer and dryer in them, which is always appreciated on a road trip.

8. Tahunanui Beach

Tahunanui Beach in Nelson, with low clouds reflecting in the calm ocean water and a long stretch of sand with people walking on it.

Located just a 10-minute drive from the Nelson city centre, Tahunanui Beach is a nice place to stop for a leg stretch and some fresh coastal air.

This beach has a long stretch of sand and calm waters and is a great spot for stroll, swim, or picnic.

9. Old Factory Corner

The entrance to Connings Food Market in Appleby.

If you love sourcing local food, it’s worth making a stop at Old Factory Corner.

This small shopping centre is home to Connings Food Market (a fantastic produce shop), and the Junction (a lovely cheese shop featuring cheeses from around New Zealand).

There’s also a GoodFor refillery store here, where you can stock up on snacks and wholefoods. It’s perfect for travellers because you can purchase small amounts of things like spices, teas, and grains, and avoid having food waste at the end of your trip.

10. Rabbit Island

People walking on the sandy beach at Rabbit Island in Nelson, with pine trees on one side of the beach and the ocean on the other.

Rabbit Island is a short detour off the main road between Nelson and Abel Tasman. If you’re not in a hurry, it’s a relaxed place to visit for a picnic or beach walk.

The beach here is backed by pine forest with lots of grassy spots for a picnic—there are even free BBQs available.

11. Mapua

A girl jumping into the water from the Mapua Wharf, with sailboats docked in the water in the backdrop.

Two pints of craft beer on an outdoor table at Golden Bear Brewing in Mapua. — From top: The Mapua Wharf; Golden Bear Brewing

Mapua is a small waterfront village with a beautiful wharf and good places to grab a bite to eat.

If you’re a craft beer lover, pop into Golden Bear Brewing for a pint. Or head to Rabbit Island Coffee Co for a coffee and treat.

Tip: Close to Mapua is one of my all-time favourite places to stay in New Zealand—the Apple Pickers Cottages. If you love unique stays and tranquil settings, I highly recommend checking it out.

12. Motueka

The front of Toad Hall Cafe in Motueka, with bright yellow signage and a two-step staircase leading up to the entrance of the cafe.

If you need groceries or a snack before heading into Abel Tasman National Park, stop in Motueka.

Motueka has both a New World and a Woolworths supermarket, and some excellent places to eat.

If you’re in town around breakfast or lunchtime, head to Toad Hall for a homemade meal in their lovely garden setting. Another great spot is The Smoking Barrel, where you’ll find gourmet doughnuts, hearty burgers, and slow-cooked meats on the menu.

A short drive from town at Port Motueka, you’ll find the Motueka Saltwater Baths, which fill with seawater at high tide. There’s a nice freedom camping site for self-contained campervans here, but arrive early if you plan to stay overnight—it’s one of the most popular freedom campsites in the South Island, and spots are limited.

13. Kaiteriteri

Stairs leading down to the golden sand and turquoise water of Little Kaiteriteri Beach near Abel Tasman National Park in New Zealand's South Island. — Little Kaiteriteri Beach

Kaiteriteri is home to one of the South Island’s most beautiful beaches.

The beach here is a picturesque crescent of golden sand, with crystal-clear turquoise water that will tempt you to go for a swim.

From Kaiteriteri Beach, you can walk along a gorgeous seaside trail to reach Little Kaiteriteri and Stephens Bay, where you’ll find even more stunning beaches and fewer crowds.

Kaiteriteri is a popular place to stay and can be a good base for exploring Abel Tasman National Park, with water taxis and kayak rentals available right at the beach. If you’re visiting in summer, though, be prepared for it to be extremely busy here.

Where to stay in Kaiteriteri

The Kaiteriteri Recreation Reserve is located a stone’s throw away from the beach and has camping, cabins, and apartments on offer.

Alternatively, you can continue on to Marahau, which is where I normally stay when I’m in the area (but you honestly can’t go wrong—they’re both beautiful).

14. Marahau

The start of the Abel Tasman Coastal Track in Marahau, with an estuary along the trail and a double rainbow in the backdrop.

Marahau is a small settlement located right on the doorstep of Abel Tasman National Park. It makes an excellent base for visiting the national park because the location couldn’t be more convenient.

From Marahau, you can easily hop on a water taxi or kayak tour to get further into the park.

Dining options are limited in Marahau, so I tend to self-cater when I stay here. That said, the Park Cafe is a good spot for woodfired pizzas.

Where to stay in Marahau

The Barn Cabins and Camp

If you’re travelling in a campervan or looking for accommodation on a budget, the Barn Cabins and Camp is the perfect spot for you.

This spacious campground is located right at the southern entrance to Abel Tasman National Park. In addition to campsites, they have a range of cosy cabins available.

Abel Tasman Lodge

The Abel Tasman Lodge is one of my favourite places to stay near Abel Tasman National Park. Their rooms are cosy and modern, and the grounds are leafy and beautiful.

Kind hosts, complimentary BBQs, and an outdoor spa pool make this a very comfortable place to stay.

15. Abel Tasman National Park

A view over Anchorage Bay from the Abel Tasman Coastal Track, with a sailboat sitting in the calm turquoise waters of the bay surrounded by hills covered in native bush.

Views over a series of golden-sand bays backed by native bush-covered hills along the Abel Tasman Coastal Track.

Abel Tasman National Park is an outdoor lover’s paradise, with endless opportunities for hiking, kayaking, and wildlife spotting.

The national park is home to one of New Zealand’s Great Walks: the Abel Tasman Coast Track, a 60km multi-night hike. If you’re keen to do the full hike, you’ll need to book far in advance, as it’s extremely popular.

You don’t need to do the full hike to enjoy the national park, though. Instead, you can easily do day trips into the park, whether by water or trail.

My favourite thing to do here is take a water taxi from Marahau to Anchorage Bay, then hike back to Marahau along the Abel Tasman Coast Track.

It takes about 3-4 hours to do the walk from Anchorage Bay to Marahau, but you can extend this with side trips to Cleopatra’s Pool or Te Pukatea Bay. This is, without a doubt, one of my favourite day hikes in the South Island.

And if you love kayaking, this is an incredible place for it. You can choose from guided kayak tours or self-guided freedom kayak rentals.

Jac from Weekend Path kayaking with her twin sister at Split Apple Rock in Abel Tasman National Park.

A weka on the trail along the Abel Tasman Coast Track, with manuka trees lining the side of the track. — Whether you go kayaking or hiking (or both!), Abel Tasman National Park is an incredible destination.

Thanks for reading my guide to the drive from Picton to Abel Tasman National Park!

Jac from Weekend Path with her back to the camera facing a beach cove in Abel Tasman National Park.

I truly hope this has helped you plan your itinerary.

If you have any questions or feedback for me, please let me know in the comments—I really love hearing from you!

Where to go next

The famous rock archway at Wharariki Beach in Golden Bay, with a pinky sunset in the background and reflections of the rocks in the wet sand at low tide. — Golden Bay would be an excellent addition to this road trip!

If you’d like to get off-the-beaten track, drive over Takaka Hill to Golden Bay to visit the less-busy northern side of Abel Tasman National Park.

To connect south to Queenstown, head down the west coast via Punakaiki and Franz Josef. Check out my Picton to Queenstown road trip for the best route!