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.