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South Island – Crossing the Cook Strait

Posted by marysoutdooradventures on
  • NZ Road Trip – North to South Island – Day 6
  • Wellington – Picton – Murchison
  • Friday 27th February

This wasn’t just another short drive or change of scenery. This was us leaving the North Island.

We watched Wellington shrink behind. The hills wrapped around the harbour, the skyline slowly fading into the distance.

The crossing over the Cook Strait was incredible. Open sea at first, which of course made me feel sick, wild and deep blue and then gradually the landscape of the South Island began to appear.

The entrance into the Marlborough Sounds was breathtaking. Calm water forested hills dipping straight into the sea, winding channels that felt almost Scandinavian in places.

Picton coming into view
Picton

Arriving into Picton felt like stepping into a postcard.  But instead of lingering, we hit the road.

Driving through Picton

We pointed the campervan toward Murchison for the night and what a drive that was. The scenery shifted again (as it always seems to here), from coastal curves to deep river valleys and wide open stretches framed by mountains.  The amount of vineyards we passed was unreal, going on for miles and miles.

Vineyards for miles on end

Murchison – Wild Rivers & a Little Bit of Scotland

We arrived in Murchison not knowing much about it… and left wondering why more people aren’t talking about this place.

Murchison is small, really small, but in the best way. It has that proper South Island frontier feel, surrounded by nature, rivers running fast and clear, mountains closing in around you. It felt outdoorsy and authentic.

Rustic coffee shop where we had brekkie the following morning
Super ‘Maryo’ in doing some chores 😤

We then found out this place is known as New Zealand’s “whitewater capital,” and if you’re into kayaking or canoeing, this is basically paradise.  But even if you’re not paddling, there’s something about it.

Breakfast
Pies and stuff

We arrived in the evening light and immediately thought, this is cool. Quiet streets, big skies and that feeling of being somewhere a little bit remote.  It wasn’t flashy, it wasn’t busy, but it had character.

The town itself is small and unpretentious, with buildings that still nod to its gold mining past from the late 1800s and early 1900s. It feels authentic, like it hasn’t tried to reinvent itself for tourism and that’s exactly the charm.

And after a full day of city buzz, ferry crossings and winding roads, it felt like exactly the right place to land.  Murchison is cool. 

Staying in this cabin for the night

P.s. Interesting fact – its named after Roderick Murchisonist, the Scottish geologist.

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