A DRIVE THROUGH PARADISE
28 DECEMBER 2022
Queen Charlotte Drive
A Nature Show Without The Annoying Host
Not you David A, you're awesome.
The Queen Charlotte Drive in the South Island of New Zealand is like a scenic rollercoaster ride for your car, with steep drops and sharp turns, but instead of just feeling sick, you'll be feeling sick with awe at the spectacular views of the Marlborough Sounds, the lush mountains and clear blue waters. It's like a mini road trip that takes you from Havelock to Picton, with many small towns along the way as well as walks and beaches.
Just make sure you take the boring route back because let's be real, who wants to miss out on all the thrills and excitement of this scenic drive? We were staying in Blenheim and heard that the drive was a must-do, so we set out on a sunny day to make the most of the views. Unfortunately, the clouds started to roll in by the end, but at least we got to enjoy most of it while the sun was shining.
We drove from Havelock to Picton, which meant all the bays were easily accessible on the left, making it a breeze to pull over and take in the views. Trust us, there are plenty of bays to stop at, so don't worry if you miss one. The views were just as breathtaking as the ones we saw on the way to Whites Bay and on the Bluebridge Ferry.
This is the kind of drive where you want to take your time and savor every moment, but it's also hard not to as it's super windy and when we went through in December 2022, parts of the road had been completely washed away so there was lots of roadworks. But hey, who can complain about waiting in roadworks with views like these? Plus Bella appreciated the breaks as she gets car sick!
When we finally arrived in Picton, it was bustling with people from the cruise ship we saw in the harbour on our way there. So, if you're looking for a scenic drive with an extra helping of people-watching, look no further than the Queen Charlotte Drive.
The Queen Charlotte Drive in the South Island of New Zealand is like a scenic rollercoaster ride for your car, with steep drops and sharp turns, but instead of just feeling sick, you'll be feeling sick with awe at the spectacular views of the Marlborough Sounds, the lush mountains and clear blue waters. It's like a mini road trip that takes you from Havelock to Picton, with many small towns along the way as well as walks and beaches.
Just make sure you take the boring route back because let's be real, who wants to miss out on all the thrills and excitement of this scenic drive? We were staying in Blenheim and heard that the drive was a must-do, so we set out on a sunny day to make the most of the views. Unfortunately, the clouds started to roll in by the end, but at least we got to enjoy most of it while the sun was shining.
We drove from Havelock to Picton, which meant all the bays were easily accessible on the left, making it a breeze to pull over and take in the views. Trust us, there are plenty of bays to stop at, so don't worry if you miss one. The views were just as breathtaking as the ones we saw on the way to Whites Bay and on the Bluebridge Ferry.
This is the kind of drive where you want to take your time and savor every moment, but it's also hard not to as it's super windy and when we went through in December 2022, parts of the road had been completely washed away so there was lots of roadworks. But hey, who can complain about waiting in roadworks with views like these? Plus Bella appreciated the breaks as she gets car sick!
When we finally arrived in Picton, it was bustling with people from the cruise ship we saw in the harbour on our way there. So, if you're looking for a scenic drive with an extra helping of people-watching, look no further than the Queen Charlotte Drive.
Views across Picton
Cullen Point Lookout
One of the coolest spots along the Queen Charlotte Drive is the Cullen Point Lookout. It's a 10-minute walk from the carpark, passing through native bush, up a few stairs, around a few bends, over a few tree roots and you'll be rewarded with incredible views across the Sounds.
You can read about it here in our full blog.
You can read about it here in our full blog.
View across to Havelock
Governors Bay Beach
Anyone who visits the Marlborough region is spoilt for choice with beaches. However, not all are accessible or ideal for swimming in. We absolutely love exploring Ward Beach and Mussel Point at Marfells Beach, but they aren't good swimming spots. Our usual go-to swimming beach when we're in Marlborough is Whites Bay Beach and we had been the previous day where we were greeted with strong currents, rogue waves and plenty of wasps! It was an absolute let down and very unusual to experience the water like that, so the next day we decided to head up to Governers Bay Beach as we'd heard it was a great spot for swimming.
Parking was limited when we got to the trail head and Lath had to do a few tricky maneuvers to get our van into a good parking spot but we got there in the end. The track is mostly gravel and is steepish so a good pair of shoes and strong knees will get you down in no time!The sign says 10-minutes but it really only took a few minutes. We didn't find it too bad as we've been doing so many hikes in the Wither Hills in Blenheim (notably the Lower Quail Stream to Harling Park Track), so going down and up the track felt great.
We arrived at high tide, so there was only a couple of metres of sand before the tide tickled our toes. It was an absolutely stunner of a day so it was no surprise that it was busy! We found a spot to set up and it wasn't long before we decided to leave due to the wasps EEEEVERYWHERE. They were hanging around us where we were sitting and there was loads on the shoreline which meant we needed to wear jandals all the time and I ended up going in the water with mine on.
We have noticed so many wasps in the area which is a real shame as it makes hikes and beaches a lot less relaxing! So along with Whites Bay Beach, we have seen them on the Circle Track at the Pelorus Scenic Reserve and the Tirohanga Track in Picton so these are ideal to do in cooler months or perfect if you absolutely love wasps and want to be best friends forever with them.
It's a really nice beach and when it's not peak wasp season, it would be an absolute paradise to sit and enjoy! I would say late December to March/April would have most of the wasps hanging around. The water was refreshing and apart from the wasps and a cruise boat with its megaphone giving a talk on the bay then zooming away, it's the perfect beach to enjoy along the Queen Charlotte Track and much cleaner than the beach at the foreshore in Picton!
Parking was limited when we got to the trail head and Lath had to do a few tricky maneuvers to get our van into a good parking spot but we got there in the end. The track is mostly gravel and is steepish so a good pair of shoes and strong knees will get you down in no time!The sign says 10-minutes but it really only took a few minutes. We didn't find it too bad as we've been doing so many hikes in the Wither Hills in Blenheim (notably the Lower Quail Stream to Harling Park Track), so going down and up the track felt great.
We arrived at high tide, so there was only a couple of metres of sand before the tide tickled our toes. It was an absolutely stunner of a day so it was no surprise that it was busy! We found a spot to set up and it wasn't long before we decided to leave due to the wasps EEEEVERYWHERE. They were hanging around us where we were sitting and there was loads on the shoreline which meant we needed to wear jandals all the time and I ended up going in the water with mine on.
We have noticed so many wasps in the area which is a real shame as it makes hikes and beaches a lot less relaxing! So along with Whites Bay Beach, we have seen them on the Circle Track at the Pelorus Scenic Reserve and the Tirohanga Track in Picton so these are ideal to do in cooler months or perfect if you absolutely love wasps and want to be best friends forever with them.
It's a really nice beach and when it's not peak wasp season, it would be an absolute paradise to sit and enjoy! I would say late December to March/April would have most of the wasps hanging around. The water was refreshing and apart from the wasps and a cruise boat with its megaphone giving a talk on the bay then zooming away, it's the perfect beach to enjoy along the Queen Charlotte Track and much cleaner than the beach at the foreshore in Picton!
Looking down to Governors Bay Beach from one of the many viewpoints along the Queen Charlotte Drive
Know Before You Go
- As of December 2022, parts of the road are being fixed due to flooding, but it is still accessible, you may need to wait for roadworks
- The drive is windy, so if you get carsick you will want to drive slowly or wear an acupressure band
- There are plenty of bays to stop at to enjoy the views
- It's best to drive from Havelock to Picton, rather than the other way around, as all the stopping bays are on the coast side so it's easier to pull over this direction
- If there is a cruise ship in at Picton, the town can be craaaaazy busy with thousands of visitors
- The drive is best done on a sunny day so you get the best views possible
- There is parking at the Cullen Point Lookout
- The track up to the lookout at Cullen Point takes around 10-minutes
- The walk down to Governors Bay Beach takes 5 - 10 minutes and is best visited at low tide
Conclusion
The Queen Charlotte Drive in Marlborough is a must-see for anyone looking to experience the beauty of New Zealand. The scenic views along the drive are truly unspoilt and offer a glimpse into the natural wonders of the area. They're so breathtaking, you might just forget to breathe (please don't!). From the lush forests to the sparkling waters of the Marlborough Sounds, this drive has it all.
Gallery of the Queen Charlotte Drive
Check out the rest of the awesomeness that didn't make it to the main blog but deserves to be shown.
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