North Island Wine Tours

• take the ferry from downtown Auckland to Waiheke Island, hideaway for artists and winemakers
• guided tour on arrival of 3 local vineyards in very picturesque settings
• home to some of NZ’s best red wines, hot dry summers & stony soils
• lunch at Mudbrick Vineyard (optional), for spectacular views & superb views
• ferry back to Auckland via Devonport

Suggestions:

• dining options at Viaduct Basin on the harbour, funky Ponsonby and trendy Parnell Rise

• an early start for the drive to Napier in the heart of the Hawke’s Bay winegrowing region
• suggest lunch stop lakeside at Taupo
• ocean views of Hawke’s Bay, land and sea intermingle
• home to NZ’s oldest operating winery, now the region has a big reputation for superior quality reds

Suggestions:

• Twilight Odyssey progressive dinner experience – visit several wineries for interactive wine tasting, boutique beer sampling and dining culinary delights 3 course dinner

• morning at leisure
• relaxing afternoon vineyard tour with Vicky – “the consummate tour guide”, visit 4 of the Hawke’s Bay’s top billing vineyards (tasting fee may apply)
• experience the best of the Wine Country

Suggestions:

• visit the Silky Oak Chocolate Company
• Casa Lavanda, café in the lavender fields nearby Hastings (open Nov-May)
• luxuriate at Urban Retreat at Elaine’s of Hastings for massage and spa packages
• enjoy the art deco architecture of Napier on a morning self-guided walking tour
• visit local galleries and cafes
• dinner at the Take Five Restaurant and Jazz Bar

• destination is Martinborough wine region for great wine combined with historic villages
• stop at Greytown for boutiques and Victoria charm
• wine village of Martinborough surrounded by vineyards
• pinot noir is one of the region’s specialties

Suggestions:

• visit Schoc Chocolates at Greytown for “passion that melts in the mouth”
• Martinborough Wine Centre for information about local wineries, lunch at The Village Café
• rent a bike and cycle around the vineyards

• visit the wineries of your choice using your local Wine Guide
• short afternoon drive via the Hutt Valley to Wellington, Capital City of arts, culture and cafes

Suggestions:

• food, wine and cocktails at funky Cuba Street
• Lambton Quay, Old Bank Shopping Arcade, Customhouse Quay for boutique New Zealand fashion
• let us book a food tour of Wellington for tomorrow

Includes:

• 4 nights accommodation as selected, room only or with breakfast if B&B chosen
• 4 days' rental car as selected with unlimited kms and insurance
  (Excess £709. Excess waiver £8.98 /day reduces it to £95)
• Waiheke Island winery day tour, including return ferry
• Half day wine tour, Napier

• Depart Auckland mid-morning for 4 hour wine & lunch tour
  - experience 3 North Auckland premium wineries & taste their best wines
• rolling wine country of Matakana
• casual café or picnic lunch before returning to the city early afternoon
• remainder of the day at leisure to explore Auckland city

Suggestions:

• stroll up Parnell Road for casual cafes, restaurants, specialty food & wine stores and art galleries
• visit Ponsonby Road for funky cafes and fashion boutiques
• take a ferry across Auckland Harbour to Devonport and dine waterside
• fine dining by the harbour along Tamaki Drive to Mission Bay
• plenty of great dining options at Viaduct Basin and Princes Wharf by the harbour

• head south for the Bay of Plenty, prolific fruit-growing region famous for kiwifruit
• destination is the easy-going ambiance of Gisborne “first to see the light” and mecca of the long-established Poverty Bay wineries

Suggestions:

• visit Kiwi360 at Te Puke for superb café fare, kiwifruit orchard tour in the kiwikarts for insight into growing green and gold kiwifruit
• seek out Comvita Visitor Centre at Paengaroa to see leading Manuka Honey producer

• morning at leisure to enjoy Gisborne by the waterfront
• savour an afternoon guided tour of local boutique wineries
• taste diverse wines including Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer and Chenin Blanc
• walk amongst the vines or sit and relax in the tasting rooms

Suggestions:

• breakfast on the waterfront at The Wharf Café
• The Works Café & Cellar, housed in old meat freezing works

• ocean views of Hawke’s Bay, land and sea intermingle
• home to NZ’s oldest operating winery, now the region has a big reputation for superior quality reds
• Twilight Odyssey progressive dinner experience – visit several wineries for interactive wine tasting, boutique beer sampling and dining culinary delights 3 course dinner

Suggestions:

• enjoy the art deco architecture of Napier on a self-guided walking tour
• stroll Marine Parade for Pacific Ocean views
• visit local galleries and cafes

• morning at leisure
• relaxing afternoon vineyard tour with Vicky – “the consummate tour guide”, visit 4 of the Hawke’s Bay’s top billing vineyards (tasting fee may apply)
• experience the best of the Wine Country

Suggestions:

• morning guided walk of Napier’s unique art deco architecture
• visit the Silky Oak Chocolate Company
• Casa Lavanda, café in the lavender fields nearby Hastings (open Nov-May)
• luxuriate at Urban Retreat at Elaine’s of Hastings for massage and spa packages
• dinner at the Take Five Restaurant and Jazz Bar

either

• allow time for lunch in Taupo en route back to Auckland

or

• make a detour to wine region Martinborough en route to Wellington, capital city for arts, culture and cafes

Suggestions:

• visit the Prawn Farm at Taupo, lunch at Prawn Farm Restaurant
• honey and liquor tasting at The Honey Hive, near Taupo – honey beer, mead, wine and liqueurs
• Martinborough Wine Centre for information about local wineries, lunch at The Village Café
• let us book a food tour of Wellington for tomorrow

Includes:

• 5 nights accommodation as selected, room only or with breakfast if B&B chosen
• 5 days' rental car as selected with unlimited kms and insurance
  (Excess £709. Excess waiver £8.98 /day reduces it to £95)
• Half day wine and lunch tour, North Auckland
• Afternoon wine tour, Gisborne
• Twilight Odyssey dinner, Napier
• Half day wine tour, Napier

• full day Auckland wine trail guided tour north of Auckland to the Matakana region, small boutique wineries, estate grown, handcrafted wines
• visit 3 wineries
• chat to the cheesemakers at Puhoi
• vineyard restaurant lunch (included)
• honey centre or pottery

Evening dining Suggestions:

• fine dining by the harbour along Tamaki Drive to Mission Bay
• plenty of great dining options at Viaduct Basin and Princes Wharf by the harbour

• start early for the drive south through the Waikato farmlands and rolling hills to Rotorua
• suggested lunch stop at Rotorua, heartland of Maori culture, geothermal activity and bush-fringed lake
• call in to Huka Falls for a thrilling river jetboat trip (optional)
• destination is the lakeside resort of Taupo on the shores of NZ’s largest lake

Suggestions:

• for lunch in Rotorua, Capers Epicurean or Lime Cafeteria
• visit the Prawn Farm at Taupo or lunch at Prawn Farm Restaurant
• dine amongst the vines this evening at the Huka Vineyard Restaurant
• other options include The Bran Tree, The Bach and Plateau

• ocean views of Hawke’s Bay, land and sea intermingle
• home to NZ’s oldest operating winery, now the region has a big reputation for superior quality reds

Suggestions:

• enjoy the art deco architecture of Napier on a self-guided walking tour
• stroll Marine Parade for Pacific Ocean views
• visit local galleries and cafes
• dinner at the Take Five Restaurant and Jazz Bar
• dining options at the old wool stores at West Quay and Nelson Quay include Shed 2, Thirsty Whale, Gin Trap and Speights Ale House

• morning at leisure
• relaxing afternoon vineyard tour with Vicky – “the consummate tour guide”, visit 4 of the Hawke’s Bay’s top billing vineyards (tasting fee may apply)
• experience the best of the Wine Country

Suggestions:

• visit the Silky Oak Chocolate Company
• Casa Lavanda, café in the lavender fields nearby Hastings (open Nov-May)
• luxuriate at Urban Retreat at Elaine’s of Hastings for massage and spa packages
• Twilight Odyssey progressive dinner experience – visit several wineries for interactive wine tasting, boutique beer sampling and dining culinary delights 3 course dinner

• make the wine region Martinborough your destination en route to Wellington
• charming, Victorian Greytown with cafes, art galleries and antique shops
• Martinborough, famous for its pinot noir, chardonnay and riesling with 50 vineyards closeby
• stroll the shops and galleries, cafes and boutique vineyards
• taste local fruit, olive oils, nuts and herbs, cheeses and chocolate

Suggestions:

• Visit Schoc Chocolates at Greytown for “passion that melts in the mouth”
• Martinborough Wine Centre for information about local wineries, lunch at
• The Village Café
• rent a bike and cycle around the vineyards
• Wellington food, wine and cocktails at funky Cuba Street
• let us book a food tour of Wellington for tomorrow
  

• escorted morning tour using public transport to easily reach Wellington' waterfront, Te Papa National Museum, café stop, Cable Car and café-style lunch to suit gourmets and food-enthusiasts.
  

Includes:

• 5 nights accommodation as selected, room only or with breakfast if B&B chosen
• 4 days' rental car as selected with unlimited kms and insurance
  (Excess £709. Excess waiver £8.98 /day reduces it to £95)
• Matakana Wine and Lunch Tour
• Half day wine tour, Napier
• Wellington Sites and Bites Tour