You will find Picton tucked safely into the Eastern section of the Marlborourgh sound. Access to Picton is from Cook Straight via one of two routes. Coming from the East you may choose to navigate Tory Channel and it's strong tidal movements or if coming from the West most boats enter using Marlborough Harbour and Queen Charlotte Sound. These routes are a similar distance however Tory Channel is impacted by strong tides and wind conditions, it would be advisable to to use the channel in periods of slack water unless you have a powerful vessel. You will also needs to access the local tidal information regarding wind on tide conditions. They provide online services for small boats and fisherman. The ferries have right away in the channel and I would not like to be in there when they passed. The other hazard is commercial and recreational fishermen fishing and placing pots in the channel. It appears they pull the pots before the ferries pass, however on the day I sailed through it I was dodging pots frequently.

When I visited Picton, I stayed at the marina in town, it is a 5min walk to town over a foot bridge. Picton Township offers general supplies, some good pubs and cafes. 

It is primarily a tourist town, and first point of entry from the North  Island by Ferry. You will find yacht services at Waikawa Marina this is approx 4km North from Picton CBD, however ring ahead if you want to do serious boat work and detirmine if it is possible in Picton. I felt that Nelson had all the serious engineering and yacht services and Picton was more a tourist town.  

There is a fuel wharf located at the Picton Marina.

The ferries are fast, frequent and have right of way. When sailing in this area be alert to the location of the ferries, you can monitor them via planned timetables and on AIS, either use your vessel AIS system or an online app. I found my AIS had difficulty receiving them due to the steep terrain blocking my VHF signal. The mobile data networks worked most places around Picton and the online AIS tracked the ferries providing accurate location information.