New Zealand's Food & Wine Trail self-drive
Overview
What's this trip about?
Compare to similar trips
Details
Travel Themes
Destinations
Attractions
Activities
View Similar Trips
Itinerary
Today you begin your journey by boarding your international outbound flight to Auckland.
On-board your international outbound flight to Auckland.
You will be met upon arrival in Auckland and privately transferred to the domestic terminal for your flight to Dunedin on the South Island. Once here you collect your car and make the short journey to your accommodation. Settle in to the Kiwi relaxed way of life as you explore Dunedin this evening. You hosts will be happy to recommend somewhere for you to eat.
Enjoy a day at leisure in Dunedin to recover from any jet lag. You may enjoy a trip out to the Otago Peninsula to view some wildlife but there is also a fantastic cafe culture here and some great eating options around the city centre. Perhaps just a bit of people watching today!
You make your way inland today to the beautiful Gibbston valley, near Queenstown. You stop at a delightful lodge where cuisine is a focus, and they have their own vineyard in the garden. You can pre book dinner here and sample some of the lodge's wines.
Spend some time today exploring one or two of the Gibbston Valley wineries and perhaps popping into Queenstown to take a trip up the Gondola and see stunning views of Lake Wakatipu. Then head over the Crown Range to Wanaka where you will be staying at the stunning Lime Tree Lodge, again you can pre book a fabulous three course dinner here, prepared by a private chef.
Enjoy an extensive full day wine tour today, stopping at some of the areas best wineries and including a delicious gourmet lunch. Perhaps enjoy dinner overlooking Lake Wanaka at one of the excellent local restaurants this evening.
You make your way up the eastern edge of the Southern Alps today, first driving through the spectacular Lindis Pass before reaching the rolling hills around Lake Tekapo. Your hosts for the next two nights are food and wine experts, Alistair is a post-grad winemaker and viticulturist and both have run their own restaurants. They are able to offer you a four course dinner if pre-booked.
Spend today exploring stunning Lake Tekapo, visit the Church of the Good Shepherd and perhaps visit the Mount St John Observatory tonight to partake in some of the best stargazing in the world. If you are feeling adventurous you might like to drive into Mount Cook and take a scenic flight over Mount Cook and the glaciers.
Continue your journey today across the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch. Spend some time exploring, perhaps visit Hagley Park, the Cathedral and the Re-Start container city shopping mall.This evening enjoy dinner in one of the city's award winning restaurants - Pescatore, located within your hotel.
Today you travel to Blenheim, in the heart of the Marlborough wine producing region. This is a long drive as you must take the inland route via Hanmer Springs and Murchison so be sure to leave early. There are some lovely spots to stop along the way for coffee and lun...
Take a guided cycling half day wine tour today and visit several of the region's best wineries, sampling some of the produce along the way. Then enjoy the rest of the day at leisure, perhaps enjoying dinner at one of the award winning local vineyards such as Herzogs.
You leave your car in the South Island and take the ferry to the North Island today. On arrival you collect another car and head out of Wellington to nearby Martinborough. We suggest stopping in at the local winery 'Poppies' on arrival, owner and winemaker Poppy will dazzle you with her delicious wine and tasting platters. We advise pre booking here as it is very popular.
Enjoy a private, personalised food and wine tour around Martinborough today. There are a number of vineyards close to each other, between them producing some fine pinot's.
Continue to Hawke's Bay today, and Napier. Your accommodation tonight is owned and run by a chef who takes great pride in cooking evening meals in front of the guests, explaining the ingredients and process as he goes, and then serving it all with appropriately matched wines.
Today is at leisure to explore the HAwkes Bay region and Napier town, you might like to stroll around the art deco buildings or visit the Gannet colony at Cape Kidnappers. This evening you will experience a progressive dinner and winery tour, this is one of our favourites in all of New Zealand and comes very highly recommended.
Return your car at the airport as you fly to Auckland. From here you have a private transfer to the ferry terminal and travel by boat over to Waiheke Island. Dinner is included here tonight so you needn't worry about finding somewhere after your journey. Waiheke is fa...
A full day wine tour of Waiheke ISland awaits you today, exploring the nooks and crannies of this beautiful Island and the best wine it has to offer.
A last day at leisure to do as you please, you might like to relax on the beach or pop over to Auckland or Devonport on the ferry for some last minute sightseeing. Dinner is not included tonight so that you can go out somewhere special for your last dinner in New Zealand.
Return to Auckland by ferry where you will be met and transferred to the airport for your onward flight.
Arrive home today to complete your journey.
Want a tailor-made trip instead?
Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:
- You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
- Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics
Dates & Availability
Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Audley Travel.
The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.
Audley Travel Reviews & Ratings
Other Audley Travel Reviews
Another brilliant trip
Third holiday with Audley and the best yet. They really know the countries and work with you to put together the perfect itinerary. They think of everything. They ar...
I wanted to take my son away for his…
I wanted to take my son away for his 21st birthday to New Orleans and Memphis over Halloween My agent was Stacey Lockhart She actually listened to my requests, pa...
Trip to Vietnam and Cambodia We recently returned from a trip from…
We recently returned from a trip from Vietnam and Cambodia and it was a trip of a lifetime. We had help planning our trip from our region specialist Matthew who is v...
Travelers also viewed
Tour Operator
Our trips don’t come off the shelf. There’s no set recipe. Each itinerary is tailor-made down to the finest detail, built around your tastes and interests. Quite simply, we listen to what you want and then carefully design an individual trip to match, working to your budget and with an absolute commitment to quality.
We have experts for each and every one of our destinations, with the knowledge that comes from having visited many times or even lived there. Our specialists will design a trip around you, show you the highlights from a different angle, and introduce you to places and experiences that others might miss.
Our flexibility promise
As the world adjusts to travel in times of uncertainty, we want you to be able to look ahead to your next trip knowing you can change your plans if needed. And, with specialists who are experts in their destinations and remain your single point of contact before and while you travel, we promise you can book with us in absolute confidence.
Our flexibility promise
Change your plans free of charge up to 30 days before departure
We’ll move your travel dates or switch the value of your booked trip to another destination at no expense to you up to 30 days before you’re due to depart. You’ll receive a 100% travel credit equivalent to the amount you paid toward your original booking.
Valid for new bookings made on or before October 31, 2020, for travel by Dec. 31, 2021. Travel dates may be moved to departures up to December 31, 2022. Excludes select cruises and airfare. Additional charges may be incurred based on changes to your trip such as accommodation and/or seasonality.
Full-refund guarantee on trips close to home
14-day cancellation policy for trips to the US, Canada or Caribbean
We want to help you navigate the uncertainty that remains around travel by giving you the flexibility to book a trip to any of our destinations in the United States, Canada or the Caribbean this year in complete confidence. With our 14-day cancellation policy, you can cancel your trip up to two weeks before you’re due to depart for any reason and receive a full refund, when you book your trip on or before October 31, 2020 for travel before December 14, 2021**.
Valid on new bookings within the US, Canada or Caribbean made on or before October 31, 2020 for travel by December 14, 2021. Certain policy variations may apply dependent on property selection and dates. Specific details will be provided by your specialist. Any portion of a new booking paid with an existing travel credit will be refunded in the form of a travel credit. Excludes flights and select properties.
Set your travel plans in motion with a video appointment
Talking face to face with your specialist can be an invaluable starting point for sharing thoughts and ideas as you begin to imagine your next trip. You can take as much time as you need to speak to your specialist and discuss all your plans with one of our video appointments. Just think of it as your own personal webinar — your specialist will share a wealth of insight, aided by images, maps and other visuals, to inspire you and provide advice for your trip, based on what you want to experience.
It's easy to arrange
- Book a video appointment (we’ll ask you for a few details about your travel plans).
- One of our specialists, who’s an expert in your chosen destination, will get in touch to arrange a time and date to suit you. If your travel companions are in different households, we’ll invite them to join, too, so you can all chat together.
- Your specialist will send you a link to your video appointment by email. We suggest using a computer or laptop, which means there’s no software to download.
- Settle down with a drink, click on the link to join the appointment and your specialist will be there to welcome you.
Associations
About Travelstride
Find your perfect trip
Save time
Save money
Travel confidently
Logistics
Accommodation
Become a member
- Save up to $700 per person
- Access members-only specials
- Personalize trip recommendations