Havelock to Picton

Tuesday May 15, 2018

We had planned to ride along Kenepuru sound and camp at one of the DOC campsites, but one look at the weather forecast made us think again! Hence heading straight for Picton. It’s a beautiful ride along the Queen Charlotte Drive, with plentiful gorgeous views of the sound with the same name. We set off in rain but it cleared up fairly quickly, just leaving wispy low cloud over the forested hills - very atmospheric. The road was very quiet with a couple of hills to add a bit of ‘interest’.

We are staying at the Sequoia Lodge backpackers in Picton. It’s one of my favourite type of hostel - friendly, clean and very well-equipped. $26 or a dorm bed, but it’s nowhere near full so even the dorms are quiet and spacious. They always have chocolate pudding and ice cream at 8pm, but now it’s low season they also have free soup at 7pm, and free breakfast. There’s a hot tub and Netflix too.

Picton is a pleasant spot. If it’s very wet, we recommend going to the library for plentiful books, including a good range of travel guides, and lots of magazines. And free wifi.