Following the 2016 earthquake, we were lucky the SH1 - State Highway 1 - was just reopened from Christchurch to Picton. It only took a 3 hours drive (instead of 6), and we had only some remaining unsealed surfaces, reduced speeds and stop/go controls in some areas.
By lunchtime, we arrived in the picturesque seaside Picton which is the South Island base town for the ferry service that links the main islands of New Zealand. We checked in at the Sequoia Lodge Backpackers and set off to explore the neighbourhood and the sheltered harbour. We strolled along the seafront dotted with the occasional bars, restaurants and various types of galleries. The town was very quiet. Waikawa, which lies just north-east, could have been a better stop before our ferry trip to Wellington. Whatever. We could not be any closer to our rental drop off and the departure gate for the ferry. We had free time to work on the blog and cook some delicious hotdogs.