Must Do!

This itinerary includes the experiences that you simply don’t want to miss. These are the things that will form the ‘bones’ of your itinerary. Now build your ultimate Classic New Zealand Wine Trail itinerary by selecting from a wide range of experiences to suit every holiday style, whether your passion is wine and food, discovering the art culture and heritage of the regions, getting outdoors and having an adventure, escaping for a little luxury, indulgence and romance or looking for ideas for all the family.

When you’re travelling between regions, allow plenty of time so that you can do things on the spur of the moment. You might see an appealing walkway, picnic area or shop that’s not on your itinerary.

For a full list of accommodation along the Classic New Zealand Wine Trail click here
For a full list of activity experiences along the Classic New Zealand Wine Trail click here

 

"Must Do" experiences

Don't miss

Warm and welcoming cellar doors and vineyard restaurants throughout Hawke’s Bay, Wairarapa and Marlborough. It’s a great time for a winery tour with winemakers creating the latest vintage from the recent harvest.

Accommodation listings
Activity listings

“Must do” accommodation
and tour suggestions


 
Day 1
Hawke's Bay

Hawke's Bay

  • Arrive in the Art Deco City of Napier to start your journey at the northern end of the Classic New Zealand Wine Trail

  • Learn about the devastating 1931 earthquake and resulting Art Deco and Spanish Mission architecture by taking a guided tour around Napier and Hastings cities. www.artdeconapier.com or www.hastingscity.co.nz

  • Sample some of Hawke’s Bay Wine Country’s award-winning red wines by taking a half, full day or evening tour with a local guide.

  • Or create your own self-drive tour using the Hawke’s Bay Winery Guide, dowload a detailed map from, www.winehawkesbay.co.nz or collect one from any Hawke’s Bay i-SITE visitor centre or cellar doors when you arrive in the region.


Day 2
Hawke's Bay to Tararua

Hawke's Bay to Tararua

  • Take a tour to the tip of Cape Kidnappers, home of the largest, most accessible mainland gannet colony in the world. www.gannetsafaris.co.nz or www.gannets.com

  • Take a leisurely drive along State Highway 2 following the Classic New Zealand Wine Trail signs through Tararua enjoying the impact of early Danish and Norwegian settlers to small country towns such as Dannevirke. Take in the relaxed country atmosphere and warm hospitality.

  • Visit Tararua’s historic Tui Brewery in Mangatainoka. Tour the brewery, then taste your way through the selection of ales. The Tui HQ experience includes a brewery tour, museum, shop and café.
    www.tui.co.nz

  • Spend time at Pukaha Mt Bruce, a wildlife sanctuary that specialises in breeding rare species. Pukaha Mount Bruce has an informative visitor centre, cafe and education programmes. Surrounded by ancient forest trees and free flying native birds, you get a sense of how New Zealand used to be.
    www.mtbruce.org.nz


Hawke’s Bay wine and food tours:

Prinsy’s Experiences - informative winery tours with knowledgeable local guide.  www.prinsyexperience.co.nz

On Yer Bike Winery Tours - cycling experience through vineyards and olive groves. www.onyerbikehb.co.nz

Odyssey New Zealand - interactive wine and food tours. www.odysseynz.com

Grape Escape - local Hawke’s Bay wine tours through to one week Wine Trail tours. www.grapeescapenz.co.nz

New Zealand Wine Centre - interactive wine tasting adventure, aroma rooms and specialist wine shop.

www.nzwinecentre.co.nz

Bay Tours and Charters - daily guided tours and bike tours. www.baytours.co.nz

 

Hawke’s Bay Accommodation

Stay in art deco Napier,the Hastings district or a country retreat in Central Hawke’s Bay.

 

 

 
Day 3
Tararua to Wairarapa

Tararua to Wairarapa

  • Continue driving South today to toward the Wairarapa region. Drive an easy circuit through pastoral landscapes to outlying vineyard clusters and charming small villages.

  • Tour and discover boutique family-owned vineyards and artisan food producers in Martinborough, Greytown, Gladstone and Masterton.

  • Explore the vineyards of Martinborough on foot, by bicycle, London cab or even a horse
    and carriage.

  • Drive to Cape Palliser where you will find a variety of adventures. Walk to the intriguing Putanguirua Pinnacles, see the fishing settlement of Ngawi, spy on the North Island’s largest colony of fur seals, and walk the 258 steps of the historic Cape Palliser lighthouse for an incredible view. Eat fish and chips at the Lake Ferry Hotel with views across Lake Onoke.

  • Visit www.wairarapawines.co.nz for a detailed map of the Wairarapa Wine Trail or collect one from the local i-SITE visitor centre or cellar doors when you arrive in the region.


Day 4
Wairarapa to Wellington

Wairarapa to Wellington

  • Nestled between a sparkling harbour and rolling green hills, Wellington offers a chic city experience in a stunning natural setting. One day isn’t really enough to do the city justice, but if that’s all you have, strap on some comfortable shoes because the best way to discover Wellington’s magic is
    on foot.

  • Discover New Zealand’s stories and history at Te Papa Tongarewa, one of the best interactive museums in the world.
    www.tepapa.govt.nz

  • Visit ZEALANDIA: The Karori Sanctuary Experience, a predator-proof safe haven for endangered native birds and other wildlife, just 10 minutes from downtown Wellington www.visitzealandia.com

  • Check out the boutique shopping along Lambton Quay and Cuba Street.

  • Catch the historic cable car from Lambton Quay to the Botanic Garden. Check out the Cable Car Museum at the top, then stroll through the gardens.

  • Wellington is well known for its café life – take time out for coffee and cake.

  • Take the Eastern Bays ferry for a ride across the harbour and great photos opportunities.

  • Courtenay Place is the nightlife capital of New Zealand, packed with restaurants, bars, cafes, cinemas and theatres. Choose from ethnic eats to some of the best fine dining restaurants in New Zealand and follow it up with a walk along Cuba Street for live music, a late night wine bar or cocktails at The Matterhorn, multiple winner of the Best Bar in New Zealand.


Wellington and Wairarapa
wine and food tours

Flat Earth Boutique range of guided tours to one or all of the wine regions along the Trail. Tel. +64 4 977 5805 www.flatearth.co.nz

Zest Food Tours - Discover the tastes of Wellington, Greytown and Martinborough with a personally-guided tour. Tel. +64 4 801 9198 www.zestfoodtours.co.nz

Wild About Wellington - Cleanse the palate with beer expert Neil Miller or get your bearings on a Sights & Bites tour www.wildaboutwellington.co.nz

Wairarapa Gourmet Wine Escape - Day trip from Wellington by train to Wairarapa for vineyard tour and lunch. Tel. +64 6 377 1227 www.tranzit.co.nz

March Hare Cycling - cycle vineyards and olive groves in Northern Wairarapa www.march-hare.co.nz

Vintners Choice Martinborough Regional film and wine tasting experience. Tel. +64 6 306 9442 www.vintnerschoice.co.nz

Martinborough Wine Tours - Fully-hosted personalised one day tours. Tel. +64 6 306 8032

www.martinboroughwinetours.co.nz

 

Wairarapa Accommodation

Stay in a boutique hotel or country retreat.

 

Wellington Accommodation

Choose from a wide range of inner city accommodation from five star luxury to quality backpackers.

 
Day 5
Wellington to Marlborough

Wellington to Marlborough

  • Fly or cruise across the Cook Strait to Marlborough in the South Island.

By ferry:

Interislander – www.interislander.co.nz
Bluebridge – www.bluebridge.co.nz

By air:

Air New Zealand – www.airnewzealand.co.nz
Sounds Air – www.soundsair.co.nz
Air2there.com – www.air2there.com
Picton Floatplane Service – www.nz-scenic-flights.co.nz

  • Take a cruise on the Marlborough Sounds to explore the hidden bays, historic locations or board a twilight cruise over the summer season enjoying local wines served with fresh seafood.


Day 6
Marlborough

Marlborough

  • Tour the wineries sampling New Zealand’s internationally-acclaimed Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. Catch a helicopter for a wine tour with a difference. Hire a bike and cycle around the wineries, gathering a few bottles as you go.

  • Visit the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre, a multi-sensory experience of WW1 aviation, designed to educate and entertain all ages. Brought to life by the masters of cinematic spectacle.
    www.omaka.org.nz

Visit www.winemarlborough.net.nz for a detailed Marlborough Wine Trail Map, or collect one from the local i-SITE visitor centre or cellar doors when you arrive in the region.


Marlborough Sounds Cruises:

Cougar Line www.cougarline.co.nz

Marlborough Travel www.greenshellmusselcruise.co.nz

Beachcomber Cruises www.mailboat.co.nz

Endeavour Express www.boatrides.co.nz

Dolphin Watch Ecotours www.naturetours.co.nz

 

Marlborough Outdoor Experiences:

Driftwood Eco Tours personalised nature tours www.driftwoodecotours.co.nz

Marlborough Sounds Adventure Company guided tours of the Queen Charlotte Track www.marlboroughsounds.co.nz

Molesworth Tours high country tours through heartland New Zealand www.molesworthtours.co.nz

Wilderness Guides specialist tours of the Queen Charlotte Track www.wildernessguidesnz.com

 

Marlborough wine and food tours:

Marlborough Travel daily wine and food tours. www.marlboroughtravel.co.nz

Sounds Connection daily winery tours. www.soundsconnection.co.nz

DeVine Tours personalised wine tours. www.devinetoursmarlborough.co.nz

Marlborough Wine Tours guided small group tours. www.marlboroughwinetours.co.nz

Bubbly Grape personalised tours.
www.bubblygrape.co.nz

Vine to Wine small group tours with qualified guide.
Tel. +64 3 578 8459

Windhawk Helicopters Heli Wine tours. www.windhawkhelicopters.com

Wine Tours By Bike www.winetoursbybike.co.nz

Explore Marlborough guided bike tours and food tours. www.exploremarlborough.co.nz

 

Marlborough Accommodation

Stay in Blenheim, a local country retreat or at a lodge in the Marlborough Sounds.

 
 
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