New Zealand Foodie Trip

Day 1: Arrive Auckland, New Zealand

Kia ora (hello!) and welcome to Aotearoa (New Zealand). On arrival in Auckland, take a shuttle to your central Auckland hotel where you will stay for 2 nights.

The rest of your day is at leisure in Auckland to spend as you choose – perhaps explore sights around the city such as the Sky Tower, The All Blacks Experience or the Auckland Museum.

Day 2: Waiheke Island

Travel from Auckland to nearby Waiheke Island and explore at your own pace. We have included the following experience: Discover Waiheke Island – leave the city behind and travel to Waiheke Island by 35min ferry.  On arrival you will spend the day exploring on a bus that allows you to hop off and on as you please at 15 stops around the island including small villages, multiple vineyards, beaches and more.

Day 3: Auckland to Rotorua

Collect your rental car today and set off on your road trip south to Rotorua, a small lakeside country town. This journey is approximately 230km / 3 hours driving, but you may choose to take a detour via Waitomo Caves or Hobbiton. Stay for 3 nights in Rotorua.

Days 4-5: Rotorua

Your central hotel is a great base to explore New Zealand’s geothermal capital. Take a short stroll to the lakefront to ride the thrilling Kawarau Jet on Lake Rotorua, or drive to the Skyline gondola and luga, walk in the redwoods forest or venture out to Lake Tarawera.  We have included the following experience during your stay:

Included Cultural Experience & Hangi Dinner – The legacy of welcoming visitors (manuhiri) began almost 200 years ago, this legacy continues today as you are welcomed by the descendants of the original hosts. Enjoy Te Puia’s famous hāngī buffet dinner, a cultural performance including a pōhiri (traditional welcome), waiata (song), mōteatea (traditional chant) poi and haka. Your evening finishes with a hot chocolate and steamed pudding surrounded by steam and the geyser terrace bathed in coloured light.

Meals included: Dinner

Day 6: Rotorua to Napier, Hawkes Bay

Drive south east today to Napier in the Hawkes Bay. This journey is approximately 220km / 3 hours driving.

Your hotel enjoys a central waterfront location on Marine Parade directly across the road from the War Memorial Convention Centre. Napier is one of the first places in the world to witness the dawn of a new day, and guests are inspired by the extensive sea views the hotel offers. Stay 2 nights in Napier.

Day 7: Hawke’s Bay

One of New Zealand’s premier wine producing regions, the Hawkes Bay is known as ‘food and wine country’ and has over 200 vineyards, 70+ wineries, 30+ cellar doors plus many restaurants, cafes and bars.  This diverse region is best known for its Merlot, Cabernet blends, Syrah and Chardonnay.  We have included an experience for you to explore a few of these: Included Wine Experience – Wineries Cycling Trail: Jump on an e-bike for an easy 16km ride visiting wineries. Start with a shuttle to the winery cluster of Black Barn, Te Mata Estate and Craggy Range near Havelock North. Indulge with some early wine tastings then join the Tukituki river trail to cycle through orchard country to the Pacific ocean and Cape Kidnappers coast. When you reach Te Awanga your cycling efforts are rewarded with visits to more acclaimed wineries including Elephant Hill, Te Awanga Estate and Clearview Estate.

Day 8: Hawkes Bay to Wellington

Leave Hawkes Bay and drive south to New Zealand’s small capital city Wellington (approximately 320km, 4.5 hours) or if you want to detour a little perhaps stop somewhere in the Wairarapa region to discover one of their boutique wineries or the small town of Martinborough.  Stay for 2 nights in Wellington.

Day 9: Wellington

Wellington is a compact harbourside city that is easy to walk around and discover. We have included the following experience to show the city and tempt your taste buds: Included Choice of Foodie Experience – Option 1: Capital Taste Buds Tour: discover the café capital city through the best of its flavours. Taste hidden culinary treasures and meet people behind some of the city’s best food. This can include places such as specialty local coffee roasters, a French cheese specialist with local cheeses as well, an Italian restaurant, a chocolatier.

If you prefer, you can choose Option 2: Martinborough Wine Tour travel to the Wairarapa region just outside Wellington to Martinborough to sample a selection of award-winning wines, including the Pinot Noirs that the region is known for. Favourites include Schubert Wines and Luna and Palliser Estates, before lunch at Poppies Winery for their superb platter of local delicacies matched with their fine wines. After lunch the wine tasting continues with another 2-3 wineries or head to the restored colonial town of Greytown to browse the main street taking in the craft and antique shops.

Meals included: Lunch

Day 10: Wellington to Nelson

Before you leave Wellington today, we suggest an early morning walk and perhaps ride on the historic cable car for great views.  At 10am we have included the following experience: Included Cultural Experience – Te Papa Museum tour visit the national museum of New Zealand for a guided tour through New Zealand’s rich history and cultures.

This afternoon, travel with your vehicle on the Cook Strait ferry from Wellington in the North Island to Picton in the South Island which takes approximately 3.5 hours and travels through some of the most scenic vistas as you move through the Marlborough Sounds. On arrival in Picton drive to Nelson, this journey takes approximately 135km / 1.45 hours. Stay for 3 nights in Nelson.

Day 11: Abel Tasman National Park

This are is a coastal paradise with golden beaches, native forest and wildlife. Here you can choose activities such as hiking, kayaking and cruising.  Included Adventure Experience – Abel Tasman Coastline: Drive from Nelson to Kaiteriteri (approximately 1 hour / 60km) and board a cruise that travels past the golden coves, sculpted granite headlands and forested islands of the Astrolabe Roadstead. After a short stop at Anchorage Beach and Torrent Bay, pause to see the seal colony in Tonga Island Marine Reserve, continue along the remote northern beaches and then enjoy a walk at historic Tonga Quarry cove for 2-2.5 hours (4.1km) over a forested saddle and around spectacular Bark Bay estuary with its cascading waterfalls before your return to Kaiteriteri by boat.

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 12: Nelson

Today is at your leisure to explore Nelson and surrounds.  This small city has a village feel and is within easy reach of the wine region famous for its Sauvignon Blanc.

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 13: Nelson to Punakaiki

Leave the Nelson area today and travel south to the west coast town of Punakaiki (approximately 1.5 hours / 260km). This tiny coastal village is best know for the Pancake Rocks and blowholes and is a base for exploring Paparoa National Park. Stay in Punakaiki for 1 night.

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 14: Punakaiki to Franz Josef

Continue your journey down the wild west coast south to the town of Franz Josef (approximately 3 hours / 220km). You may choose to stop in the small former gold mining town of Greymouth to sample local beer or check out local artisans renowned for their greenstone (jade) carvings.  Foodie tip: the west coast offers some great seafood, fresh water fish and curious wild foods, you can stop in Hokitika to sample local whitebait, perhaps Whitebait Pizza as local restaurant ‘Fat Pipi’. Arrive in Franz Josef Glacier town, located at the edge of the Westland World Heritage Park where one of New Zealand’s most spectacular natural attractions, Franz Josef Glacier!  Stay in Franz Josef for 1 night.

Day 15: Franz Josef to Queenstown

This morning we have an adventure into the national park. Included Nature Experience – Waiatoto River Safari – this remote backcountry jet boat river safari explores a  river deep into the Haast UNESCO World Heritage Area. Pass over the Alpine Fault line and watch the truly dramatic scenery unfold. Learn about the introduced animals and visit a Kiwi sanctuary. This is a laid-back, relaxed river safari allows with plenty of time for photo stops and an optional off-boat stroll, with the chance to taste local delicacy whitebait, as well as a visit to the breeding grounds of New Zealand Whitebait fishery.

Continue your journey south to Queenstown (approximately 350km, 5 hours). At the foot of the Southern Alps, Queenstown offers adrenaline-packed adventure activities and other year-round attractions. This inspiring resort town attracts thrill seekers, romantics, families, wine-lovers and anyone looking for an unforgettable getaway.  Stay in Queenstown for 3 nights.

Day 16: Milford Sound & Fiordland National Park

Discover the World Heritage area of Fiordland National Park today in the southwest corner of the South Island. This region is shaped by water – lakes, rivers, streams, waterfalls, lush rainforest, stunning fiords and water locked up as glaciers.  Included Scenic Experience – Milford Sound Tour and Cruise. Head off early this morning to travel through Fiordland to Milford Sound for a stunning two-hour small nature cruise on the fjord. See waterfalls, fur seals, penguins and occasionally dolphins.

Meals included: Lunch

Day 17: Queenstown 

Enjoy your time at leisure in Queenstown! You may choose to do some souvenir shopping, travel up the gondola for spectacular views and take the luge down for fun.  Daredevils may choose to book an adventure such as jetboating, bungy jumping, a scenic heli flight or paragliding. Local Foodie Tip – try a local casual burger joint / foodie favourite, Fergburger in Queenstown.  Allow plenty of time though, this little takeout hotspot is popular!

Included Choice of Experience – Option 1: Wine Sampler wine tour in the Gibbston Region to visit four of Central Otago’s finest cellar doors, including the famous Gibbston Valley underground wine cave. Look, smell and taste over 18 spectacular cool-climate wines. Option 2: Gin Tour taste award-winning gins, learn about the distillation process and graze on delicious, shared platters while taking beautiful scenery. Tour the Cardrona Distillery before a private tasting, then continue to the crown range to the historic gold mining town of Arrowtown to visit a cellar door experience called ‘The Winery’ for a relaxed self-guided experience with a gin tasting paddle alongside shared grazing cheese boards. Your last stop is near Queenstown at the Gin Garden by Broken Heart Spirits where you will be guided through a range of local Broken Heart gins. Option 3: Twilight Wine & Craft Beer Tour a fun and entertaining late afternoon tastebud adventure to visit three unique locations with a minimum of 12 tastings of the finest drops in the region. If beer is more your thing you can taste local craft beers instead.

Day 18: Queenstown to Lake Tekapo

Depart Queenstown and drive north to Lake Tekapo (approximately 275km, 3.5 hours).  Nestled between Christchurch and Queenstown, Tekapo is a relaxing escape with a plethora of opportunities to immerse yourself in nature by kayaking, trout fishing, mountain biking or horse riding as well as visiting local hot pools. Travel back in time at the old village, steeped in folklore and history.  Stay 1 night in Lake Tekapo.

Day 19: Lake Tekapo to Christchurch 

Drive east through Canterbury to the city of Christchurch (approximately 230km, 3 hours).  Stay in Christchurch for 2 nights.

Day 20: Christchurch

Today is at your leisure to discover Christchurch, a city that has spent the most recent years rebuilding and recreating its city after an earthquake. As the garden city of New Zealand, Christchurch is renowned for the Botanic Gardens, heritage architecture and also now boasts a vibrant arts, culture and food scene. The local street art brings colour to the urban landscape – this city is a great blend of the old and the new.

Day 21: Depart Christchurch, New Zealand

Depart Christchurch, your day is at your leisure before you return your car rental and make your way to the airport (flights not included in this package).