At a Glance
Taste your way around New Zealand on this mouth-watering 9-day self-drive culinary adventure including the world-famous wine regions of Hawke’s Bay, Wairarapa and Marlborough.
Tucked away at the bottom of the world, New Zealand is a paradise for those who prefer the finer things in life. The country’s rich soil and favourable climate means it produces some of the world’s best food and wine – in some of the most stunning landscapes, be it close to a stunning shoreline or nestled in a rural area with an off-the-beaten-track charm. Hawke’s Bay, Wairarapa and Marlborough are 3 of the best – and most beautiful – regions in which to enjoy a mouth-watering fresh produce and a matching glass of wine.
Departing from Auckland, hit the road to discover New Zealand’s best food and ...
Trip Highlights
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What's Included
- Meet and greet and private hotel transfer on arrival with handover of documents
- 8-nights’ boutique hotel accommodation on a twin share basis
- Meals: 8 x Breakfast, 3 x Lunch, 1 x Dinner
- Skyline Rotorua gondola, wine tasting and lunch (Day 2)
- Interislander ferry from Wellington to Picton (Day 6)
- 8-days’ full size vehicle rental
- Marlborough “Icons” full day tour including all transport, wine tasting at 2 wineries, and Marlborough Sounds “Seafood Cruise” with seafood tasting and glass of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc (Day 7)
- Church Road “Versatility of the Grape” experience including tutored wine tasting and lunch platter (Day 3)
- Hawke’s Bay “Food and Wine Lovers Delight” half day private tour including all transport and visits to some of the best local wineries (Day 4)*
Itinerary
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Arrive into Auckland Airport, where you will be met by a travel representative and presented with the necessary documentation. Enjoy a private transfer to your CBD accommodation. You’ll stay the night at the Hotel Grand Windsor. Located in the heart of Auckland, this elegant 5-star hotel will transport you to an age of opulent glamour. Its 79 rooms and suites are classic masterpieces of refined design, featuring exquisite bedding, muted fabrics and excellent service complemented with state-of-the-art technology. Spend the rest of the day making the most of 5-star facilities and amenities including a fitness centre and jacuzzi. When you’re ready, head into the city to discover a multi-cultural hub of food, music, arts and culture sprawled over volcanic hills and around twin harbours. |
Hotel Grand Windsor, Auckland
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Driving Information: Auckland to Rotorua: 227km/141mi | 3hrs This morning, make your way to the rental vehicle city deport where you will collect your full size hire car. Depart Auckland and head south. Drive through farmland, lake land and forest until the distinctive smell of sulphur and constant steam drifts let you know you are in tempestuous, geothermal Rotorua. On arrival in Rotorua, jump on board the Skyline Gondola for the ride up Mount Ngongotaha and the best views in town. At the top, sample carefully crafted Volcanic Hills wines from New Zealand's most recognised and respected wine regions, all while enjoying panoramic views over Lake Rotorua. Cap it all off with a delicious buffet lunch in the Stratosfare Restaurant & Bar. You’ll stay the night at Black Swan Lakeside Boutique Hotel. Named for the graceful birds that circle Lake Rotorua, this 5-star hotel offers gorgeous monochromatic rooms overlooking either the lake or the manicured English-style gardens. Make the most of facilities including 2 spa pools and an outdoor swimming pool before heading into the onsite restaurant for a sumptuous Pacific fusion dinner. |
Black Swan Lakeside Boutique Hotel, Rotorua Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
Driving Information: Rotorua to Napier: 215km/134mi | 2hrs 40mins Hit the road for a scenic drive through rugged mountain ranges and exotic pine forests to the fertile vineyards of Hawke’s Bay. At 11:00am, visit Church Road Winery, one of New Zealand’s oldest wineries, for an immersive “Versatility of the Grape” experience. This is your opportunity to discover the passion and innovation of local Hawke’s Bay winemakers. With glass in hand, sample multiple ways that grapes are used for more than just the production of wine. From pressed juice to balsamic vinegar and barrel aged spirits, enjoy an informative behind-the-scenes look at the world of wine and the adaptability of this versatile fruit. The experience concludes with a guided tasting of Church Road wines and a delicious platter lunch. Your afternoon is free to enjoy Napier, a world-renowned Art Deco treasure. Here, you will find many fine wineries as well as fabulous restaurants, bars and cafes. The boutique shops are a must-visit, as is the Sea Walls collection of magnificent murals painted on more than 50 walls around the city. Grab a map and walk or ride around the city to see them up close. You’ll stay the next 2-nights at Craggy Range. Located at Craggy Range’s Giants Winery in Havelock North, in the heart of New Zealand’s Hawke’s Bay, this boutique accommodation offers luxury lodges and cottages among the vines, under the escarpment of Te Mata Peak. Enjoy a complimentary wine tasting and dinner (own cost) in the award-winning onsite restaurant. Specialties include pan fried local fish, salmon fillet, and pork belly with almond cream, chili lentils and apple. |
Craggy Range, NapierBreakfast, Lunch |
Driving Information: N/A Embark on a private guided tour of Hawke’s Bay’s best wineries and producers. Guided by a local wine specialist, this tour is flexible and can be tailored to meet your specific requirements. Visit the region’s best wineries and sample their award-winning wines, devour melt-in-your-mouth cheeses, and taste honey fresh off the comb. You may also choose to visit local farmers or gifted artists in their studios. Tour concludes in the early afternoon, at which time hotel drop offs will commence. (The tour goes for 4 hours, but it is possible to extend to 7 hours for an additional cost). |
Craggy Range, NapierBreakfast |
Driving Information: Napier to Martinborough: 265km/165mi | 3hrs Enjoy the clean, green Wairarapa scenery as you drive south through friendly townships. Caterton is a good place to shop for paua shell souvenirs and enjoy the daffodils in Spring, while Greytown has many beautiful examples of Victorian architecture and a quaint museum. Featherstone, meanwhile, is home to an interesting locomotive museum. Around lunch time, arrive in Martinborough. In recent years, this charming town has become the gourmet capital of the lower North Island. It is home to over 25 boutique vineyards and several fabulous restaurants. From the charming town square, you can walk to most of the local attractions. If you are interested in doing some wine tasting, the Te Kairanga, Tirohana Estate and Margrain Vineyard are great options. The climate of low rainfall, hot Summers, and long, dry Autumns produces wines rich in ripeness and elegance. The right balance of warm days and cool nights make the Pinot Noir some of the best in the country, as well as other early ripening varieties. You’ll stay the night at The Martinborough Hotel. A beautiful old girl full of charm and quirks, The Martinborough Hotel offers boutique accommodation located on the doorstep to everything Martinborough and the South Wairarapa has to offer. Make sure to enjoy a meal at the onsite Union Square Bistro & Bar (own cost). |
The Martinborough Hotel, MartinboroughBreakfast |
Driving Information: A short drive south to Wellington, the capital city of New Zealand. Named “the coolest little capital in the world” by Lonely Planet, Wellington is a compact city with a powerful mix of culture, history, nature and cuisine. Fuel your visit with strong coffee and world-class craft beer – Wellingtonians are masters of casual dining, with plenty of great restaurants, night markets and food trucks. Drop off your vehicle at the ferry terminal depot and board the Interislander to Picton. As you sail across the Cook Strait, enjoy complimentary lounge access with comfy seating and buffet and bar. Upon arrival in Picton, pick up your new hire vehicle and drive to Blenheim, the heart of the wine growing Marlborough region. Marlborough is all about world-famous Sauvignon Blanc, delicious fresh seafood and diverse landscapes, from valleys of vines to sheltered waterways. You’ll stay the next 2 nights at The Peppertree B&B. Built in 1901 and surrounded by 10 acres of farmland, vineyard, olive grove and beautiful gardens, this 5-star Edwardian villa is the ideal base from which to tour the region or a treasured retreat where time stands still. You will enjoy the heritage feel along with the modern conveniences and above all, the old-world hospitality that your hosts are able to offer. |
The Peppertree B&B, BlenheimBreakfast, Lunch |
Driving Information: N/A Indulge in the famous Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, the scenic Marlborough Sounds, and fresh local seafood on a full-day guided tour. At 9:35am, a driver will pick you up from your accommodation and transfer you to the departure point of your tour. At 10:00am, board your modern touring coach and visit 2 award-winning Marlborough wineries, including the world-famous Cloudy Bay. The tour then departs the wine region through to the Marlborough Sounds for lunch on the waterfront (own cost). Next, embark on a unique Seafood Cruise through the Marlborough Sounds. Take in the natural beauty of the native bush and the tranquility of the Sounds. Learn from your experienced Skipper the history of the Sounds including the pioneering families who have settled here over six generations. Visit a marine farm and learn the secrets behind some of the world’s finest seafood. Then, enjoy a seafood tasting matched to a glass of local Sauvignon Blanc. On arrival back in Havelock, re-board the coach for the transfer back to Blenheim. Tour concludes at approximately 05:00pm, at which time accommodation drop-offs will commence. |
The Peppertree B&B, BlenheimBreakfast |
Driving Information: Blenheim to Christchurch: 309km/192mi | 4hrs Travel down the ruggedly beautiful coastline between the surging Pacific Ocean and the steeply rising Kaikoura Ranges, across broad, braided rivers and the rich patchwork farming landscape of the Canterbury region to Christchurch. Despite suffering extensive damage in the 2011 and 2016 earthquakes, Christchurch has blossomed into one of the world’s most unique destinations, combining urban regeneration and innovation with heritage, culture and exhilarating activity. Expect some of New Zealand’s oldest buildings alongside street art and innovation projects, a bustling hospitality scene and established green spaces. It’s easy to see why it is nicknamed “The Garden City”. You’ll stay the night at The Classic Villa. Built in 1899, this beautifully appointed Italian style historic home has been lovingly restored to provide some of Christchurch’s finest 5-star accommodation. The luxury boutique hotel is situated on a quiet one-way pedestrian boulevard, directly opposite the Christchurch Arts Centre and only steps away from the Christchurch Museum, the Avon River, the Botanical Gardens, and the city’s best cafes, restaurants and bars. |
The Classic Villa, ChristchurchBreakfast |
Driving Information: N/A All good things must come to an end! Check out by 11:00am and drop off your hire vehicle to commence your onward journey. NOTE: This itinerary is provided as an example only – prevailing conditions and local arrangements may cause variation. |
NoneBreakfastMore Info
Onlyluxe Travel acts as travel agency and work with different tour operators.
Payment Detail
All pricing is in Australian dollars and are quoted on a per person twin share basis. A supplementary price is available (see below). Bookings are not confirmed until full payment and the signed Booking Form has been received by Onlyluxe Travel.
A non-refundable 30% deposit is payable within 7 days of your booking, with the final balance due 60 days prior to departure. If a booking is made 60 days or less before departure, the full payment is payable immediately. Last minute bookings are payable before arrival. Failure to pay on time may result in automatic cancellation of a booking with cancellation penalties payable to Onlyluxe Travel. If you pay by credit card or PayPal a surcharge will be added to the total price.
Single Supplement
All accommodation is twin share. Single guests will share with someone of the same gender. If a single room is demanded, a supplementary price of will apply. The supplementary price refers to our quotation and needs to be stipulated at the time of booking.
General Cancellation Policies
- Outside of 60 days monies will be refunded less 30% of full fee
- Within 60 days prior to arrival all monies will be forfeited
- No refunds will be given in the event of non-arrival, any unused services or unused nights due to flight or weather disruption
- We strongly recommend guests protect themselves with travel insurance and medical insurance
Please Note: Cancellations must be advised in email and will take effect from the date they are received.
Liability
The participant agrees to indemnify Onlyluxe Travel, and its servant, tour operator and agents, in relation to any liability, loss and damage which the tour operator, or its servants and/or agents may incur as a result of the participants, negligence or misconduct during the tour.
Smoking is not permitted on the bus, or in tents or in other accommodation being used by tour operator at the time that a trip is being conducted.
Child Policy
Please consult travel consultant on age limit.
Changes to Itineraries
Local conditions may necessitate changes to sightseeing, walking and driving routes, camping and accommodation locations. While every effort will be made to provide the services and experiences as offered in our brochure, on our website, and in our trip letters, we reserve the right to vary your itinerary. In the event that we are forced to change your arrangements, substitute arrangements of a similar standard will be provided. The tour operator will not be liable where interruptions to itineraries are caused by weather conditions, technical problems to transport used by the tour operator, industrial action, political or civil commotion or other circumstances beyond our control. We refer you to the conditions regarding travel insurance.
Changes in Prices
While we will do its utmost to honour its pricing unforeseen circumstances may mean that prices may be subject to change without notice.
Pre-Existing Medical Conditions and Age Limits
You need to advise Onlyluxe travel and the tour operator on any pre-existing medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability that might reasonably be expected to increase the risk of your requiring medical attention, or that might affect the normal conduct of a trip and the enjoyment of other trip members. Onlyluxe Travel and the tour operator may require an assessment of your medical condition from a qualified medical practitioner. If you fail to adequately notify the tour operator of any pre-existing medical conditions and/or disability, the tour operator reserves the right, at its reasonable discretion, to cancel your participation in a trip at any time, including after the commencement of your trip, with no right of refund if your medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability could be reasonably expected to affect the normal conduct of the trip and the enjoyment of other trip members.
Cancellation by The Tour Operator
The walks take place in very special wilderness settings. The tour operator is at the mercy of nature in all her beauty and all her fury. The tour operator will under no circumstance knowingly place at risk the health and well-being of our guests and guides. In the case of natural threats, acts of God and the like (e.g. bushfires, impassable snow, etc) the tour operator may need to cancel a walk with very little notice. In some cases, this can occur after the walk has commenced. The tour operator reserves the right to cancel any walk up to 60 days prior to departure if a minimum of 4 walkers are unable to meet for a tour. If the tour operator needs to cancel for any reason, the cost of the walk or any other costs associated with travel to the designated pick up point, overnight accommodation, meals, etc will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore we strongly recommend travel insurance be taken out prior to travel.
Force Majeure
'Force Majeure' means (without restriction) any event which Onlyluxe Travel or its third party providers could not, even with due care, foresee or avoid. Force Majeure covers events such as, but not limited to, adverse weather conditions, fire and all similar events beyond our control. In the case of Force Majeure Onlyluxe Travel will not accept liability, and reserves the right to change and cancel trips.
Evacuations
In rare circumstances, due to injury or unforeseen illness, the tour operator may need to evacuate you from a remote part of the walk. Helicopter evacuations are expensive and in most cases will be at a cost to the customer.
For Australian residents, under the Australian Government Medicare Act, it is prohibited for any domestic travel insurance product to provide any financial reimbursement with regard to ambulance or air ambulance services. We therefore strongly advise our customers to take specific ambulance cover through their health insurance provider. Evacuation cost will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore it is also strongly recommended that our customers take out travel insurance to cover (amongst other things) the costs associated with evacuation.
Travel Insurance
In view of the heavy cancellation penalties applied to cancelled reservations in certain circumstances, we strongly recommends suitable travel insurance be purchased at the time the holding deposit is paid. We recommend insurance cover that covers any loss which may be suffered due to cancellation. We also strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance against loss of baggage and medical expenses.
