Classic New Zealand Wine Trail

Famous for its Chardonnay and stunning reds, Hawkes Bay is the perfect place to begin your New Zealand wine discovery.  Join a morning walking tour and discover Art Deco Napier’s fascinating history before embarking on a self-guided wine tour by bike. The cycle routes take you off the beaten track, through vineyards and olive groves with delicious tasting along the way.   If you would rather be chauffeured, an array of half-day, full-day, or evening wine tours are also available in the company of a local guide and with names like Craggy Range, Church Road and Te Mata Estate you will be spoilt for choice.   Hawkes Bay is also home to the largest accessible Gannet colony in the world so you may wish to join a half day tour out to the picturesque Cape Kidnappers Station for an up-close introduction to these distinctive birds. 

From Hawkes Bay make your way to the beautiful Wairarapa where historic towns offer a tempting array of local produce, from artisan chocolates to olives and cider.  Along the way stop at the historic Tui Brewery, encounter some of New Zealand most endangered native wildlife at Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre and visit some of the antique shops as you head into Martinborough.  Packed with colonial charm, Martinborough boasts over 20 wineries, most within walking distance of the quaint village square.  At the Martinborough Wine Centre, you can taste an array of wines from the regions wineries all under one roof and be sure to try the Pinot Noir, this region produces some of New Zealand’s finest.

Next on the agenda is Wellington, a mecca for culture from the creative to the culinary, and the nation’s capital is a joy to visit.  Take the cable car and stroll the Botanic Gardens, and a visit to Te Papa Tongarewa is a must.  Taste some different flavours as you sample your way through cheeses, chocolate, and aromatic coffees on a food tour and after a busy day you may wish to encounter more New Zealand wildlife with a twilight tour to Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne, an eco-sanctuary in the heart of the city. 

Travel from Wellington to Marlborough through the picturesque Marlborough Sounds onboard the Interislander ferry and by the afternoon you can be cruising through Queen Charlotte Sound, savouring local seafood, like salmon and Greenshell mussels, paired with a glass of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc.  In Marlborough over 30 inviting cellar doors await you and we recommend you enjoy the icons in one day on a guided tour sampling some of the exquisite wines that put Marlborough on the world map. Before you leave, be sure to visit the Makana Chocolate Factory and experience stunning coastal views as you explore the Queen Charlotte Track.

October - April

Highlight species

	Gannets at Cape Kidnappers
	Brown kiwi, pāteke (brown duck), whio (blue duck), takahē, kōkako, kākā, orange-fronted parakeet, tuturuatu (shore plover), and tuna (longfin eels) at Pūkaha Wildlife Centre
	Wētā, glow worms, tuatara, little spotted kiwi at Zealandia

Cost from £

This suggested itinerary is just an example of possibilities available for trips to New Zealand. Price is dependant on season, standard of accommodation and length of stay. Please contact us for a tailor made itinerary.

Departure Dates

Year round, the best time to travel is October to April

Difficulty

Generally easy walks, bike tours are optional but usually over easy ground.

Flights

No direct flights from the UK. International flights via Asian, US or Australian hubs.

Time

GMT +13 hours

Take the Coastal Pacific train to Christchurch, known as one of the most picturesque journeys on New Zealand railways.  

For wine connoisseurs, Gisborne, Canterbury and Central Otago should not be overlooked!