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    Suggested Itineraries
The Regions
Campervan hire
iPhone and iPod touch downloadDownload information about the best things to see and do along the Wine Trail
How you assemble your itinerary depends on so many things – your tastes and preferences, your appetite for adventure, your energy levels and your motivation for travelling.
Start with our ‘Must do’ experiences itinerary Then select experiences from any of the special itinerest itineraries listed here: Art, culture and heritage itinerary Luxury, indulgence and romance itinerary Outdoors and adventure itinerary Ideas for all the family itinerary
Or use these tips to build your own  
How many days?We believe you need at least six days to travel the Classic New Zealand Wine Trail, but if you want to get the maximum amount of pleasure from your holiday, allow up to two weeks. The Trail is more enjoyable if you go slow and savour. 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.
Which direction?Travellers usually explore the Classic New Zealand Wine Trail from north to south, because most international visitors arrive in Auckland. It’s just as easy to start in Marlborough and travel north. Some people even like to do the Trail in both directions, choosing different experiences on the return journey.
Linking to other driving routesYou can easily link to another New Zealand touring route to create an even grander journey. The Thermal Explorer Highway and Pacific Coast Highway are two different ways to drive from Auckland to Hawke’s Bay. From Marlborough you can drive south to join the Alpine Pacific Triangle and Inland Scenic Route 72. There are international airports in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin and Queenstown.
Staying on trackThe Classic New Zealand Wine Trail is marked with brown road signs displaying grapes. Even if you decide to do a whirlwind five-day itinerary, you’ll only drive for around three hours a day on high quality roads and highways. Traffic is generally light in New Zealand, so driving is relatively stress-free.
The joys of spring and autumnWhile many travellers choose to visit New Zealand in summer, the seasons on each side have their own special appeal. Spring is a time of new growth, new release wines, garden events and special food opportunities, such as the start of the whitebait season. Enjoy classic spring scenery involving daffodils, newborn lambs and verdant green countryside. Autumn is a season of settled weather and glorious colours. It’s harvest time in the vineyards and the farmers’ markets are brimming with delicious produce. The water’s still warm enough for swimming and the countryside is toasted golden.   
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An indulgent self-drive journey
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The Classic New Zealand Wine trail is a destination in itself, and my advice is to resist the temptation to visit Mt Cook, Rotorua or Queenstown and save it for your dotage. The part of New Zealand covered by the trail is far less touristy but no less enjoyable. The distances aren't long, the food and wine are of outstanding quality (and differ so much between the regions) and ... there are a million things to do. I have just had the time of my life, and it would be fair to say that I have returned home with my gob not so much smacked as pinned to the wall and trussed up, and well and truly spatchcocked.