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

Learn about the destructive 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

Be adventurous and dare yourself to take a swim at The National Aquarium of New Zealand in the main oceanarium with the sharks, stingrays and other marine life swimming around you.  This is the only place in New Zealand that you can swim freely with sharks www.nationalaquarium.co.nz

Challenge yourself to a round of golf atop dramatic cliffs at internationally acclaimed Cape Kidnappers International Golf Course www.capekidnappers.com

Sample Hawke's Bay's award-winning wines by visiting the New Zealand Wine Centre www.newzealandwinecentre.co.nz or take a half, full day or evening tour with a local guide or explore the vineyards on a bicycle www.winehawkesbay.co.nz. See the list on the right for specific tour information.

Take a leisurely drive along State Highway 2 following the Classic New Zealand Wine Trail signs. 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

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.

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.