Food and Wine Travel
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New Zealand — Hawke's Bay, Wairarapa, Marlborough
New Zealand's Finest Food & Wine
Fourteen days through New Zealand's most celebrated wine regions — from Hawke's Bay and Martinborough to Marlborough and the Kaikōura coast
Duration
14 Days / 13 Nights
Travel Style
Independent Itinerary
Starting In
Auckland
Ending In
Christchurch
Departures
Available May to September — contact us for specific dates
Reference
NZAKLANSD
New Zealand — Hawke's Bay, Wairarapa, Marlborough
New Zealand's Finest Food & Wine
Fourteen days through New Zealand's most celebrated wine regions — from Hawke's Bay and Martinborough to Marlborough and the Kaikōura coast
Duration
14 Days / 13 Nights
Travel Style
Independent Itinerary
Starting In
Auckland
Ending In
Christchurch
Departures
Available May to September — contact us for specific dates
New Zealand's Finest Food & Wine — 14 Days / 13 Nights
Overview
New Zealand packs an extraordinary range of wine country into a relatively compact journey. This fourteen-day independent itinerary traces the length of both islands — from Auckland south through the geothermal landscape of Rotorua, down into Hawke's Bay's Art Deco wine region, across to Wellington and the boutique cellar doors of Martinborough, then over Cook Strait by ferry into Marlborough before finishing along the spectacular Kaikōura coastline to Christchurch.
Each region has its own distinct character. Hawke's Bay produces some of New Zealand's finest red wines from sun-drenched gravelly soils. Martinborough is the heartland of New Zealand Pinot Noir — intimate, boutique, and quietly exceptional. And Marlborough is the home of Sauvignon Blanc done at its finest: vibrant, aromatic, and unlike anything produced anywhere else in the world.
Travelling independently means setting your own pace — lingering at a cellar door that resonates, choosing your own lunch spot, stopping when the scenery demands it. Every key experience is pre-arranged: guided wine tours in each major region ensure guests can taste freely without concern, accommodation is selected for comfort and location, and the ferry crossing is booked and ready. The route, the bookings, and the knowledge are all in place — the journey itself is yours to enjoy.
Trip Highlights
- —Ride the Skyline Gondola over Rotorua and enjoy a wine tasting with panoramic views
- —Explore Napier's extraordinary Art Deco streetscape on a vintage car tour with gin and wine tasting
- —Discover the boutique cellar doors of Martinborough on a guided half-day wine tour
- —Experience Wellington's thriving craft brewery scene on a local brewery tour
- —Cross Cook Strait on the ferry — one of the world's great short sea crossings
- —Taste iconic Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc at source on a guided vineyard tour
- —Drive the dramatic Kaikōura coastline — mountains to one side, Pacific Ocean to the other
- —Explore Christchurch's creative food and wine scene to close the journey
Day by Day
Arrive Auckland
Arrive at Auckland Airport, collect the pre-arranged hire car, and transfer to the central city hotel. The evening is free to settle in and explore Auckland's waterfront and dining scene at leisure.
Arrive Auckland
Collect the pre-arranged hire car from the airport and drive to the city hotel. All details provided in the pre-departure documentation.
Evening free
Auckland's Viaduct Harbour and Wynyard Quarter offer excellent dining options for the first evening.
Auckland to Rotorua
Drive south from Auckland to Rotorua — approximately two and a half hours through the lush Waikato region. Rotorua sits on the edge of a geothermal lake and is one of New Zealand's most distinctive destinations. Check in to the lakeside hotel and explore at leisure this afternoon.
Drive to Rotorua
Self-drive south from Auckland. The route passes through Hamilton and the Waikato countryside.
Rotorua arrival
Check in to the lakeside hotel. The town centre, geothermal parks, and waterfront are all walkable from the accommodation.
Evening at leisure
Rotorua has a good range of restaurants focusing on locally sourced produce and Māori cuisine.
Rotorua — Skyline & Wine Tasting
Take the gondola to the top of the Skyline for panoramic views over Rotorua and the surrounding volcanic plateau. A wine tasting is included at the mountaintop restaurant — a relaxed introduction to New Zealand wine country before the journey heads deeper into wine regions. The afternoon is free for geothermal exploration or relaxing at the hotel.
Skyline Gondola
Gondola ride to the summit with panoramic views over Lake Rotorua and the surrounding landscape.
Wine tasting
Included wine tasting at the mountaintop — a selection of New Zealand wines in a spectacular setting.
Afternoon free
Rotorua's geothermal parks, Te Puia, and the Redwoods Whakarewarewa Forest are all worth exploring.
Rotorua to Napier
Drive south and east across the volcanic plateau and through the Hawke's Bay hill country to Napier on the coast — approximately three and a half hours. Napier is one of New Zealand's most architecturally distinctive cities, rebuilt entirely in Art Deco style after a devastating 1931 earthquake. Check in to the central hotel and explore the waterfront this evening.
Drive to Napier
A scenic drive across the North Island interior, descending to the Hawke's Bay coast.
Arrive Hawke's Bay
Check in to the hotel in central Napier, walking distance from the Art Deco streetscape and waterfront.
Evening free
Napier's Tennyson Street and the waterfront Marine Parade have excellent restaurant options.
Napier — Art Deco & Wine Tasting
An immersive day in Hawke's Bay. A vintage deco car tour explores Napier's remarkable Art Deco heritage with a local guide, including gin and wine tastings at selected stops. Hawke's Bay is New Zealand's second-largest wine region and produces outstanding Syrah, Cabernet blends, and Chardonnay from its sun-drenched, gravelly river plains.
Vintage Deco Car Tour
A guided tour of Napier's extraordinary Art Deco architecture in a vintage vehicle, with gin and wine tastings included along the way.
Hawke's Bay wine culture
The tour includes an introduction to the region's wine credentials — understanding the soils, microclimates, and signature varieties of Hawke's Bay.
Afternoon free
Time to explore Napier's independent wine shops, galleries, and cafes at leisure.
Napier to Martinborough
Drive south through Hawke's Bay and over the Remutaka Range to Martinborough in the Wairarapa — approximately three hours. Martinborough is the spiritual home of New Zealand Pinot Noir: a tiny wine town surrounded by boutique vineyards, completely unlike the larger commercial wine regions. Check in and explore the town square on foot this afternoon.
Drive to Martinborough
A scenic drive through Hawke's Bay and the Wairarapa hill country. The descent into the Wairarapa Valley is spectacular.
Arrive Martinborough
Check in to the vineyard apartments in the centre of Martinborough — the town square and several cellar doors are within easy walking distance.
Afternoon free
Walk to the nearest cellar doors or explore the town's excellent wine bar and restaurant scene.
Martinborough — Boutique Pinot Noir Country
A half-day guided wine tour of Martinborough's boutique cellar doors — tasting some of New Zealand's finest Pinot Noir without needing to worry about driving. Martinborough has around twenty wineries within walking or cycling distance of the town square, most of them family-owned and operated. The afternoon is free to visit further cellar doors independently or relax at the accommodation.
Half-day Martinborough wine tour
A guided tour visiting a selection of the region's best boutique producers. Guests taste multiple wines at each stop with commentary on the region's soils, climate, and winemaking philosophy.
Afternoon free
Free time to return to favourite producers, explore on foot, or enjoy lunch at one of the cellar door restaurants.
Dinner in Martinborough
The town's restaurant and wine bar scene punches well above its weight — an excellent final evening in Wairarapa.
Martinborough to Wellington
A short drive over the Remutaka Range to Wellington — New Zealand's compact and creative capital city. Wellington has one of the most vibrant food and café cultures in the country, and its craft beer scene has flourished over the past decade. Check in this afternoon and explore the waterfront and Cuba Street precinct at leisure.
Drive to Wellington
A short drive of approximately one hour over the Remutaka hill and down into the Hutt Valley.
Arrive Wellington
Check in to the city hotel, centrally located near the waterfront, Te Papa Museum, and the main restaurant district.
Evening free
Wellington's Cuba Street, Courtenay Place, and the waterfront precinct offer excellent independent dining.
Wellington — Craft Brewery Tour
A half-day guided craft brewery tour of Wellington's thriving independent brewing scene. Wellington has more craft breweries per capita than almost any city in the world, and this guided tour visits a selection of the best — tasting a range of styles with commentary on the brewing process and the city's beer culture. The afternoon is free for independent exploration.
Half-day craft brewery tour
A guided tour of Wellington's craft breweries — tasting a curated selection of ales, lagers, and specialty beers at some of the city's best independent producers.
Afternoon free
Te Papa Tongarewa (the national museum), the waterfront, and the cable car to the Botanic Garden are all excellent options.
Final Wellington evening
Free evening to explore Wellington's restaurant scene — one of New Zealand's finest.
Wellington to Marlborough via Cook Strait Ferry
Board the Cook Strait ferry from Wellington to Picton on the South Island, taking the hire car across with you — one of the world's great short sea crossings, threading through the Marlborough Sounds. The crossing takes approximately three and a half hours. Drive from Picton to Blenheim, the heart of Marlborough wine country, and check in to the hotel.
Cook Strait Ferry
The ferry departs Wellington harbour and passes through Queen Charlotte Sound and the Marlborough Sounds — spectacular scenery throughout the crossing.
Arrive Marlborough
Drive from Picton to Blenheim — approximately 30 minutes through the beginning of the Marlborough wine country.
Check in Marlborough
Settle into the Blenheim hotel and explore the town centre this evening.
Marlborough — Sauvignon Blanc at Source
A half-day guided tour of the Marlborough wine region — home to New Zealand's most celebrated wine export and the benchmark for Sauvignon Blanc worldwide. The tour visits a selection of Marlborough's most respected producers, tasting Sauvignon Blanc alongside Pinot Noir, Riesling, and Chardonnay. Understanding Marlborough's unique geology, cool nights, and intense sunlight helps explain why these wines taste like nowhere else on earth.
Half-day Marlborough wine tour
A guided tour of the Wairau and Awatere valleys, visiting a curated selection of producers. The guide explains the region's geography and why Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc is so distinct.
Afternoon free
Free time to return to favourite wineries, explore the Renwick village wine trail, or relax at the hotel.
Evening free
Blenheim's restaurant scene has grown substantially — a fitting dinner in the heart of New Zealand wine country.
Marlborough to Kaikōura
Drive south from Marlborough along the Pacific coast to Kaikōura — one of New Zealand's most dramatic coastal drives, with the Kaikōura Ranges rising steeply from the sea to one side and the Pacific Ocean to the other. Kaikōura is best known for its extraordinary marine life: sperm whales, dusky dolphins, New Zealand fur seals, and some of the finest crayfish (rock lobster) in the country.
Drive to Kaikōura
Approximately two hours south along State Highway 1 — one of New Zealand's great coastal drives.
Arrive Kaikōura
Check in to the coastal accommodation overlooking the Pacific. Seals and seabirds are frequently visible from the foreshore.
Optional whale watching
Kaikōura's whale watching tours depart throughout the day — book in advance as spaces are limited. Crayfish is the local specialty and should not be missed.
Kaikōura to Christchurch
The final drive of the journey — south from Kaikōura through the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch. The plains are vast and flat, backed by the snow-capped Southern Alps, and Christchurch itself is a fascinating city: rebuilt creatively after the 2011 earthquake, it now has a distinctive contemporary food, art, and architecture scene. Check in and explore the Riverside Market and surrounding neighbourhood this evening.
Drive to Christchurch
Approximately two hours south from Kaikōura through the Canterbury Plains.
Arrive Christchurch
Check in to the central city hotel. The Riverside Market, the Arts Centre, and the Botanic Gardens are all nearby.
Final evening
Christchurch's food scene has reinvented itself since the rebuild — excellent restaurants, bars, and the Riverside Market all within walking distance.
Depart Christchurch
The journey concludes in Christchurch. Return the hire car at Christchurch Airport before the departure flight. Time permitting, a final morning coffee in the city is a fitting end to two weeks of exceptional New Zealand food and wine.
Return hire car
Return the vehicle to Christchurch Airport. Detailed instructions are included in the pre-departure documentation.
Depart
International and domestic flights depart from Christchurch International Airport.
What's Included
Included
- ✓13 nights accommodation in selected hotels and apartments (twin-share basis)
- ✓Hire car for the full 14-day itinerary with comprehensive cover — pick up Auckland Airport, return Christchurch Airport
- ✓Interislander Ferry crossing Wellington to Picton, including hire car
- ✓Skyline Gondola and wine tasting in Rotorua
- ✓Vintage deco car tour with gin and wine tasting in Napier
- ✓Half-day guided wine tour in Martinborough
- ✓Half-day craft brewery tour in Wellington
- ✓Half-day guided wine tour in Marlborough
- ✓All accommodation as specified — room type on twin-share basis
Not Included
- ✕International and domestic airfares
- ✕Meals (all meals are at guests' own expense unless otherwise specified)
- ✕Fuel for the hire car
- ✕Personal travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- ✕Optional activities not listed in the inclusions (e.g. whale watching in Kaikōura)
- ✕Personal expenses and gratuities
Ready to start planning?
This itinerary can be tailored to suit different travel dates, group sizes, and preferences. Book a free chat to start the conversation.
Trip at a Glance
Accommodation
Four-star hotel, Auckland city centre
1 nights
Auckland, North Island
A well-located central Auckland hotel within easy reach of the Viaduct Harbour and Wynyard Quarter dining precinct.
Lakeside hotel, Rotorua
2 nights
Rotorua, Bay of Plenty
A four-star hotel set on the shores of Lake Rotorua, with views across the lake and easy access to the town's geothermal attractions.
Central hotel, Napier
2 nights
Napier, Hawke's Bay
A centrally located hotel in Napier's Art Deco heart, within easy walking distance of the waterfront, restaurants, and the town's celebrated architecture.
Vineyard apartments, Martinborough
2 nights
Martinborough, Wairarapa
Comfortable self-contained apartments in the centre of Martinborough, within walking distance of the town square, cellar doors, and restaurants.
City hotel, Wellington
2 nights
Wellington, North Island
A four-star city hotel in central Wellington — close to the waterfront, Te Papa, Cuba Street, and the main restaurant and bar district.
Hotel, Blenheim
2 nights
Blenheim, Marlborough
A four-star hotel in the heart of Blenheim, the regional centre of Marlborough wine country — convenient for both the town and the surrounding vineyards.
Coastal accommodation, Kaikōura
1 nights
Kaikōura, Canterbury
A well-appointed property overlooking the Pacific coastline at Kaikōura, with views of the mountains and the sea.
City hotel, Christchurch
1 nights
Christchurch, South Island
A centrally located four-star hotel in Christchurch, within easy reach of the Riverside Market, the Arts Centre, and the Botanic Gardens.
Good to Know
iThis is an independent itinerary — guests travel by hire car between destinations, with all wine tasting experiences serviced by guided tours so guests are never required to drive after tasting.
iNew Zealand drives on the left; guests unfamiliar with left-hand traffic should allow extra time on arrival.
iThe Interislander Ferry crossing is included and booked in advance; the hire car travels on the ferry with the guests.
iNew Zealand has a temperate maritime climate; packing layers is recommended, particularly for the South Island and the Kaikōura coastline.
iAustralian travellers do not require a visa for New Zealand. A valid passport is required.
iKaikōura whale watching is seasonal and weather-dependent — pre-booking is strongly recommended and can be arranged through Food and Wine Travel.
iTravel insurance is strongly recommended and can be arranged through Food and Wine Travel.
iThe hire car is pre-arranged with comprehensive cover. Fuel costs are at the guest's own expense.