Virgin Voyages' guide to Picton, New Zealand

Arguably, one of the most beautiful seaside towns in all of New Zealand is Picton. With boundless white-sand beaches, a plethora of opportunities to reconnect with mother nature — including multiple national parks, bush walks, swimming with wild dolphins, and impressive waterfront bars and restaurants, Picton really offers everything for adventurers from every walk of life.

With very long, warm summers combined with a short winter season, New Zealand offers the perfect climate to grow grapes — which is good news for wine and spirit lovers. Today you’ll head into Marlborough’s famous wine region and visit three different wineries. With a brief introduction from your guide, you’ll sample the different blends at each location, while learning about all the unique qualities and varieties that grow in this very special region.

A quick drive from the pier will take you to a boat landing that takes you over to the sanctuary. Many native species and forests are now extinct (or endangered), but here — you’ll witness the ongoing efforts of what restoration looks like for the natural world. You’ll be guided on a trail that consists of restored native bush and old forest growth so that the fur seals, penguins, birds, and unique plants (which you may see on your walk) can thrive without the threat of invasive predators.