NEW ZEALAND WINE TRAILS

Welcome to New Zealand! On arrival in Auckland you will be met and transferred by private vehicle to your accommodation.

2 Nights at Hilton Auckland in a Double Deluxe Harbour View Room

Ferry Service Auckland to Waiheke Island - Return

Board your ferry at the Downtown Auckland Ferry Terminal and enjoy the scenic 40 minute cruise to Waiheke Island through the beautiful Hauraki Gulf. This stunning island just off the Auckland coast boasts 92 square kilometres of beautiful beaches, vineyards, olive groves, native bush and laid back seaside villages. Some sailings will travel via the Devonport Ferry Terminal.

Full Day Shared Gourmet Food & Wine Tour (Shared Small Group Tour)

Today experience succulent fresh New Zealand oysters, award-winning olive oil and other locally- produced specialty foods, accompanied by wines from some of the Island’s top boutique vineyards. Your guide will provide an entertaining and informative commentary along the way. Visit an award- winning olive oil mill followed by two vineyards, each offering a range of gourmet tastes to accompany their wines. Treats may include oysters straight from Te Matuku Bay, wild honey, the famous local green herb spread and artisan cheeses. A lunch platter at one of the area's top vineyard restaurants is also included.

Starts: 9.00am (ex Auckland) | Ends: 3.40pm (arrives Auckland)

Today you will be collected from your accommodation and transferred by private vehicle to Auckland Airport.  On arrival at Napier airport, collect your rental vehicle from Budget Rent A Car and drive to your accommodation for the next two night at Mangapapa Hotel.

2 Nights at Mangapapa Hotel in a Double Homestead Suite

Afternoon Gold Reserve Tour (Shared Tour)

Of all New Zealand's wine producing regions, there's no doubt that Hawke’s Bay has a greater capacity than any other to produce a wide range of classical varieties. This afternoon your guide will show you around New Zealand’s original Wine Country with a focus on premium producers and a behind-the-scenes winery tour. Visit and taste the wines from three to four premium Hawke’s Bay wineries and savour a mid-afternoon Gourmet Platter showcasing the regions artisan food products. 

Starts: 1.00pm | Ends: 5.30pm

Drive Napier – Martinborough (254km/157 miles – 3 hours non stop drive time)

Just over an hour by road from Wellington, on the outskirts of Wairarapa, lies a meticulous sprawling country estate, with large sweeping gardens, luxury accommodation and panoramic views.Indulge in your own private and luxurious haven, whether it be an exquisite Winemakers Cottage, restful Garden or Lakeside Cottage, Secluded Cottage or Woodland Villa. All accommodation has been individually designed, with artwork and furnishings by New Zealand designers. Martinborough town centre is only a five minute drive away.

2 Nights at Peppers Parehua Martinborough in a Double Garden Cottage

Today is a day of leisure for you in Martinborough. Packed with colonial charm, Martinborough features over 20 wineries, most within cycling and walking distance of the quaint village square. Some of New Zealand’s best pinot noir comes from the town’s predominately family-owned vineyards, so it’s not surprising it is a key stop on the Classic New Zealand Wine Trail.

Drive Martinborough – Wellington (78km/48 miles – 1.5 hours non stop drive time)

This afternoon you will drop off your rental car at the Wellington City depot.

2 Nights at DoubleTree by Hilton Wellington in a Double Superior Room

Today is free to explore Wellington, New Zealand’s capital, at your leisure.

Wellington is a compact city and best explored on foot. A good place to start is vibrant Cuba Street and down Wellington’s waterfront. Take a stroll to Oriental Bay or hire a bicycle if you wish to venture further along the bays.

The most prominent building on the waterfront and difficult to overlook is Te Papa Tongarewa museum. The national museum is a must-do with six storeys of interactive exhibitions on Maori and Polynesian history, geology, flora and fauna, and much more in an architectural wonder of a building.

Take the iconic cable car ride up into the Kelburn Hills. On a beautiful day, the views from up there are stunning and a stroll through the botanic gardens is a great way to make your way back down the city.

A little known fact is that Wellington is the heart of New Zealand’s film industry with Miramar, a seaside suburb, home to world-class movie making talent and technologies. A must-do for film fans is a visit of the Weta Studios and Weta Cave. A range of tours to various film locations around town are also on offer.

A magical place worth a visit at daytime and night time alike is ZEALANDIA, the world’s first fully- fenced eco sanctuary, located just a few minutes’ drive outside the city centre. More than 140 rare Little Spotted Kiwi live in the sanctuary and they can often be seen on night tours.

This morning you will be collected from your accommodation and transferred by private vehicle to the Interislander Ferry Terminal.

Check-in at the Interislander ferry terminal and board your vessel for the journey across Cook Strait. Depart Wellington and arrive into Picton harbour. The 92 kilometre voyage takes approximately three hours and is described as one of the most beautiful ferry rides in the world.

Duration: 3 hours and 30 minutes

Drive Picton to Blenheim (28kms/17 miles - approx 30 minutes non-stop drive time)

Collect your rental vehicle from Budget Rent A Car upon arrival in Picton.  Depart the picturesque seaside town of Picton and take the short drive to sunny Blenheim, crossing the Wairau Plains past vineyards and orchards. Blenheim is the heart of wine-growing Marlborough, so you will see plenty of award winning wineries on the way into town.

2 Nights at the Marlborough Vintners Hotel in a Double Vineyard View Room

Full Day Marlborough Icons Tour (Shared Small Group Tour)

Marlborough has become world famous for two iconic areas, the Marlborough wine region and the Marlborough Sounds. Enjoy the perfect combo tour through both areas on the Marlborough Icons Tour. This tour starts in the heart of the Marlborough wine region with two fine wine experiences before heading through for lunch (own cost) on the waterfront in the Marlborough Sounds. Then in the afternoon enjoy a totally unique Seafood Cruise in the Marlborough Sounds. Learn about seafood farming, take in some stunning scenery and enjoy fresh local seafood with a glass of award winning Marlborough wine.

Starts: 10.00am | Ends: 5.00pm

Today you will drive to Blenheim Airport where you will drop off your rental car and check in for a flight to Queenstown.  On arrival in Queenstown you will be met and transferred by private vehicle to your accommodation.

3 Nights at The Rees Apartment Hotel in a Double One Bedroom Lake View Apartment 

Milford Fly/Cruise/Fly Trip (Shared Activity)

Take off from Queenstown, and fly above the rugged backcountry of Central Otago, before heading westward to where the glacial fed rivers empty into Lake Wakatipu. Witness what the power of nature has created over the years, as you journey over two remarkable National Parks; Mt Aspiring and the world heritage listed Fiordland National Park. Upon landing at Milford Sound Airport you are welcomed to a view of Mitre Peak, standing tall at the head of the fiord. Surrounded by some of the most magnificent scenery in the world, you’ll board your Mitre Peak Cruises vessel and begin your voyage cruising the length of the 16km fiord out to Tasman Sea. Listen to the informative commentary, and interact with our hosts while enjoying the refreshments on-board. Complete your journey with a scenic flight over the Southern Alps back to Queenstown, and be captivated by the breathtaking and awe-inspiring views that can only be experienced from the air.

Starts: 10.00am | Ends: 2.00pm

Please note: Scenic flights by plane or helicopter are weather dependent, so we may be required to move your flight to another day, or your touring arrangements on the day may differ from those originally planned. If any scenic flights are cancelled, please contact your agent about any refunds due.

Full Day Gourmet Scenic Wine Tour (Shared Small Group Tour)

Experience an indulgent and diverse full day tour showcasing the very best sights and tastes from the Central Otago region. Let your experienced local guide lead you on a tasting journey through three contrasting Central Otago wine sub-regions; Gibbston, Bannockburn and Cromwell. Enjoy a guided tour through New Zealand’s largest underground wine cave, a gourmet wine barrel-cooked lunch with matching wines, a lovely cheeseboard and take-home chocolates. You will also have an opportunity to retrace history with a visit to the historical settlements of Old Cromwell (time and weather permitting) and picturesque Arrowtown. Learn about the early pioneering history and how the wine region was formed through an array of fun facts and interesting stories from your knowledgeable wine guide. For your final indulgence of the day, you will be given some artisan chocolates to enjoy before being returned to your accommodation.

Starts: 9.30am | Ends: 4.00pm

Unfortunately today marks the end of your time in New Zealand. You will be collected from your hotel and transferred by private vehicle to Queenstown Airport.  Depart on international flight home. 

End of Arrangements