Waikawa Bay & Snout Track Walk
Walk to the adjacent bay of Waikawa and climb the Snout Track for elevated views over the sound and Picton township, returning via a peaceful harbour circuit.
- 1
Waikawa Bay Road
The road east of Picton follows the sound shore to Waikawa, passing weatherboard houses with jetties — a quintessential Marlborough Sounds neighbourhood.
- 2
Waikawa Marina
The Waikawa Marina is the largest in the South Island — hundreds of yachts shelter here, their owners living aboard or visiting their Sounds getaway baches.
- 3
Snout Track Entry
The Snout Track climbs steeply through regenerating native bush above the marina to a headland giving views of both Picton and the outer sounds.
- 4
Snout Viewpoint
The headland viewpoint overlooks the entrance to Picton Harbour and out toward Cook Strait — on clear days the North Island is visible across the water.
- 5
Kaipupu Wildlife Reserve
A predator-free island sanctuary accessible by kayak or water taxi, where kiwi, weka, and tuatara roam freely — New Zealand conservation at its most successful.
- 6
Waikawa Bay Lookout Return
The return walk follows the bay shore at water level, where local families fish from the jetties and shags dry their wings on the mooring buoys.
Walk this route with audio
Stories play automatically as you reach each stop — no tapping needed.
