Wine Lovers New Zealand

On arrival at Auckland Airport, you will be met and transferred to the hotel.

The balance of the day is at leisure to relax before beginning your exploration of the city.

Taste the best of Waiheke food and wine on this delicious excursion. On arrival at the island you'll be greeted at the wharf by your tour driver and directed to your coach. Enjoy a scenic drive to your first stop, Stonyridge Vineyard, where you'll enjoy a tour and tastings, plus a light lunch over views of the vineyard. You then depart for Rangihoua Estate, which introduces you to Waiheke's olive growing industry, including tasting award winning olive oils. A stop at Casita Miro will leave you enchanted with the tastes and feelings of the Mediterranean. Your tour finishes with wine tastings at the beautiful Mudbrick Vineyard, with spectacular views of the Hauraki Gulf, before returning to the ferry terminal.

Travel south from Auckland over the Bombay Hills to the rich farmland of the Waikato region. You travel through the heritage town of Cambridge where tree-lined streets add to the English-style atmosphere. From here your journey takes you through undulating green hills reminding you that you are approaching Hobbiton Shire.

On arrival at Shire's Rest you embark on your Hobbiton movie set tour. This location is the largest "green set" in the world and the only place where you get an emotional response to a movie set in a natural setting. You see 44 hobbit holes, the Mill and double arch bridge and the party tree. At this stunning location you can take a photo at the door of Bilbo's house, "Bag End", looking out over the whole set to the hills in the distance. The tour ends with a visit to the Green Dragon Inn for a drink. After the tour at Hobbiton board the shuttle at Shire's Rest Cafe for your journey to Rotorua.

Rotorua's thermal mud is packed full of minerals due to the volcanic nature of the region including sulphur, calcium, sodium and silicon, which release protective antioxidants for clean and refreshed skin.  Restore and relax with a full body polish exfoliation followed by a full body mud mask, while letting go completely with a scalp massage. Afterwards enjoy a warm shower to cleanse, before your choice of moisturiser is applied to replenish the skin.

This morning, prepare to depart from Rotorua for your transfer to Napier.

On arrival at Napier, you will be transferred to your hotel.

The balance of the day is at leisure to relax before beginning your exploration of Napier.

A very scenic cycle and featuring some of the regions favourite wineries, this is a truly great day out! Your adventure starts with the wineries of Black Barn and Te Mata Estate in Havelock North. From here you enjoy a 12km cycle on the limestone cycle trail of the landscapes ride, following the Tuki Tuki River, to the coastal communities of Haumoana and Te Awanga. By now you'll be ready for lunch at the region's top winery restaurant, Elephant Hill, before a final tasting at Clearview Estate.  (Lunch cost excluded)  From here you will be transferred back to your accommodation.

This morning, prepare to depart from Napier for your transfer to Wellington.

On arrival at Wellington, you will be transferred to your hotel.

The balance of the day is at leisure to relax before beginning your exploration of Wellington.

This morning, depart from Wellington for your transfer to Blenheim.

Depart Wellington by Ferry, cross the Cook Strait, and arrive at Picton.

On arrival at Picton, you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Blenheim.

The balance of the day is at leisure to relax before beginning your exploration of Blenheim.

Your tour guide will show you through the fabulous Marlborough wine region stopping to enjoy two fine wine experiences including Marlborough's Iconic winery, Cloudy Bay. After two wonderful winery visits we will depart the wine region through to the Marlborough Sounds for a nice lunch right on the waterfront (own cost lunch). After lunch we depart the marina on the Marlborough Tour Company launch for a truly unique Seafood Cruise through the Marlborough Sounds.
Take in the natural beauty of the native bush and the tranquility of the Sounds. Learn from your experienced Skipper the history of the Marlborough Sounds and the history of the pioneering families who have settled in the Sounds over 6 generations. Visit a marine farm and learn why seafood grows so well in the Marlborough Sounds. Enjoy a divine seafood tasting matched perfectly to a complimentary glass of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. A perfect wine and food match in a beautiful part of Marlborough. On arrival back in the marina transfer back to accommodation.

This morning, depart from Blenheim for your transfer to Christchurch.

On arrival at Christchurch, you will be transferred to your hotel.

The balance of the day is at leisure to relax before beginning your exploration of Christchurch.

Start the day with a hotel pick up and drive to the city's centre. Here you can assess the progress of the rebuild following the 2010/2011 earthquakes. Learn the reasons for the event, its impact and the exciting plans for the future. Delve into the history of the city and explore the beautiful Botanic Gardens where you will discover why New Zealand's flora and fauna is unique. There are a number of boutique vineyards within easy reach of Christchurch, where you can visit a selection of wineries for tastings that will demonstrate why New Zealand's wine and its makers are so highly regarded around the world. Lunch at a winery/bistro and the wine tastings are included.

Head to the Port Hills which overlook Christchurch and present stunning views of the city, Canterbury Plains, Lyttleton Harbour and the distant Southern Alps. Before journeying back to the city, enjoy a visit to 'She Chocolate' a chocolataire cafe before you are dropped back at your accommodation.

The majestic beauty of the South Island is a must for any visitor to the South Island and one of the best ways to view the spectacular scenery is aboard a luxury coach. This tour takes you from Christchurch, through diverse farmland to Lake Tekapo, where you can view the solitary Church of the Good Shepherd. Your tour continues along the Tasman River before arriving at the location of New Zealand's tallest mountain Aoraki / Mount Cook. There is time to experience an optional scenic helicopter or ski plane flight (weather permitting and at own expense) before departing for New Zealand's Adventure Capital, Queenstown.

Join our small group tour for an afternoon amongst the boutique vineyards and splendid alpine scenery of Central Otago. Enjoy visits to four premium wineries over 2 contrasting wine sub-regions, learn about the wine and pioneering history of the area, and visit the historic precinct of Old Cromwell (time and weather permitting). This tour includes a delightful shared platter lunch and a premium glass of wine with lunch.

On boarding the coach in Queenstown, visitors are treated to a relaxing trip along the shores of Lake Wakatipu and through the rolling countryside to Pearl Harbour, Manapouri. They then board a Real Journeys vessel and cruise across picturesque Lake Manapouri to West Arm before travelling by coach through dense rainforest across Wilmot Pass. There are opportunities along the way to examine the plant life and view the spectacular scenery. Once at Deep Cove, visitors board the catamaran Patea Explorer for a 3 hour cruise of beautiful Doubtful Sound. There is plenty of time available to explore points of interest and view the spectacular alpine scenery including waterfalls, rainforest and mountains all the way out to the Tasman Sea. It is home to bottlenose dolphins and fur seals and when in season, the rare Fiordland crested penguin. An onboard nature guide with specialist knowledge of the region's history, flora and fauna provides detailed interpretation in English with a roving microphone. On the return cruise, the vessel's engines are turned off and passengers are treated to the 'sound of silence'.

Today is totally free and at leisure. You can take advantage of any optional activities available or simply relax.

Transfer to the Queenstown Airport for your onward flight.