Marlborough & Nelson - New Zealand's South Island - page 106

InterCity ( 03-365 1113; www.intercity.co.nz ) runs south to Christchurch (5½ hours) via Blen-
heim (30 minutes) and Kaikoura (2½ hours), with connections to Dunedin, Queenstown
and Invercargill. Services also run to/from Nelson (2¼ hours), with connections to
Motueka and the West Coast. At least one bus daily on each of these routes connects with
a Wellington ferry service.
Smaller shuttle buses running from Picton to Christchurch include Atomic Shuttles (
03-349 0697, 0508 108 359; www.atomictravel.co.nz ) , which can also be booked via Naked Bus
( www.nakedbus.com ) .
TRAIN
KiwiRail Scenic ( 04-495 0775, 0800 872 467; www.kiwirailscenic.co.nz ) Runs the Coastal Pacific ser-
vice daily (October to May) each way between Picton and Christchurch via Blenheim and
Kaikoura (and 22 tunnels and 175 bridges!), departing Christchurch at 7am, Picton at
1pm. Adult one-way Picton-Christchurch fares range from $79 to $159. The service con-
nects with the Interislander ferry.
Getting Around
Shuttle services around town and beyond are offered by Picton Shuttles ( 027 696 5207) .
Cheap transport along the Queen Charlotte Drive between Picton and Havelock is offered
by Coleman Post ( 027 255 8882; $15) .
Renting a car in Picton is easy and competitively priced (as low as $35 per day), with
numerous rental companies based at the Interislander ferry terminal and many others
within a short walk. Ace ( 03-573 8939; www.acerentalcars.co.nz ; Ferry Terminal) , Omega ( 03-573
5580; www.omegarentalcars.com ; 1 Lagoon Rd) and Pegasus ( 03-573 7733; www.carrentalspicton.co.nz ; 1
Auckland St) are reliable local operators. Most agencies allow drop-offs in Christchurch; if
you're planning to drive the North Island, most companies suggest you leave your car at
Picton and pick up another one in Wellington after crossing Cook Strait.