Getting to Picton
 

I need to arrive in Picton on a particular day to walk the Queen Charlotte Track. There are a few choices about how to get there and I wonder whether you have an opinion about which is best. Ideally, I'd like to visit Marlborough Sounds, Abel Tasman National Park, Marlborough wine region and maybe Hamner Springs within two weeks if I can. Travelling March/April.

Fly into Wellington and take the ferry. The only problem I can see with this is if the weather is dodgy (I get seasick). If I prepurchase ferry tickets, do you know if they can be exchanged for another day? Is there a possibility that the ferry could be cancelled?

Fly into Christchurch and drive. I could go via Kaikoura or via Murchinson (in which case I'd take a few days over this). Have looked at train but it leaves at 7am, meaning I have to overnight in Christchurch. Prefer to not be on a bus for 5hrs.

Fly into Queenstown, spend a couple of days and then fly to Nelson. I've been to Queenstown before, albeit more than 20 years ago. I'm thinking that Wellington might be more interesting than Queenstown, if less scenic.

Tough choice, right?! I suspect there's no right answer but if you've any views, would love to hear them. Thanks!

Flying to Blenheim is an option and then get a taxi or shuttle to Picton. This will cost more as it's a small regional airport or you might be able to take Sounds Air (regional airline with very small planes) from Wellington.
The ferry is a lovely trip and the weather should be settled in March/April. the rough bit is the crossing through Cook Strait as the rest of the time you are in the shletered Marlborough Sounds. Bluebridge do a night sailing so if you went on that you could try and sleep or at least have a bed to lie on. Ferries are cancelled only in extreme weather and if you buy the more expensive ticket you can can plans or get a refund. We took the ferry for years visiting family in Wellington and only twice was it a really rough crossing.
Check out the ferry websites :
www.interislander.co.nz
www.bluebridge.co.nz
Christchurch to Picton is scenic and you can do this on the train.
Wellington versus Queenstown well depends if you like mountains and lakes. I'd always pick Queenstown because I don't get to the South Island very often but Wellington is a cool little city. As you say no right answer!
Hanmer Springs is nice for a hot swim and there is nothing much at Murchison. Christchurch to Nelson that way is the quickest but the most boring IMO.

Sorry few typo's.. no edit button is provided. 'change' is meant not can can.

I tried to post on this thread yesterday, but it never took.

Which route you take could very well depend on how much time you have to work with. Also, knowing the time of year would be helpful.

I tend to agree with tasmangirl about Murchison, but wanted to add that there are some very nice tracks in the area and getting there is quite scenic, although the roads are very winding and tiring. We've been through Murchison many times, and once spent three nights there just to walk the tracks.

Thanks very much, tasmangirl and melnq8. With the ferries across the strait, is it possible to sit outside or are they fully enclosed, with all passengers seated inside? Perhaps it varies by vessel? I find it helps any feeling of nausea to be outside. I thought the route via Murchison would be more scenic than via the coast but seems like it's just different. After walking at the Sounds and perhaps at Abel Tasman, I might have run out of energy for walking at Murchison. Looking forward to it although a little nervous about my level of fitness!

We travelled both directions on the Interislander and we could stand outside. I don't remember any seats. The scenery is stunning and we loved the ferry trip. I also get motion sick but had no problems with the crossing.

There's outside seating on one Interislander ferry (sorry can't remember the name) and you are free to move about and sit somewhere else if you want.
Have you decided on what ferry service? I have not been on Bluebridge but considered it because of the overnight sailing.
If you walk in the Marlborough Sounds and Abel Tasman NP I wouldn't worry about Murchison. Although the Lake Daniels walk looks very nice.

Thanks for information. It will be great - hope the weather is kind and we get some great views.