Gourmet Food & Wine

Day 1 - Welcome to Auckland

On arrival at Auckland Airport you will be greeted with a private transfer to your hotel and the rest of the day at leisure to explore the city and its selection of bars and fine restaurants.

Hotel: Skycity Grand Hotel

Day 2 - Auckland

Today you will head out to the streets of Auckland on a Big Foody Taste Bud Tour, going behind the scenes of the local markets, visiting coffee roasters and ice cream parlours.

Hotel: Skycity Grand Hotel
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 3 - Rotorua (235 kms)

Private transfer to the rental car city depot where you will collect your rental car for your exclusive use. Enjoy the drive through farmland, lakeland and forest until the distinctive smell of sulphur and constant steam drifts let you know you are in tempestuous, geothermal Rotorua. Tonight enjoy a memorable night of culture, song and dance followed by dinner cooked the traditional way on hot stones underground at a Maori Hangi & Concert Evening.

Hotel: Peppers on the Point
Meals: Breakfast

Day 4 - Rotorua

Enjoy the morning at leisure taking in the spectacular views from your hotel before venturing into Rotorua to enjoy the many sights and activities on offer. This afternoon make your way to the base of the Skyline Gondola for your Volcanic Hills wine tasting experience.

Hotel: Peppers on the Point
Meals: Breakfast

Day 5 - Napier (220 kms)

Enjoy the scenery as the road changes from forest to rugged mountain ranges and then to fertile vineyards as you continue on to Hawke’s Bay, known for its Art Deco architecture, gourmet food and world-class wineries.

Hotel: Breckenridge Lodge
Meals: Breakfast

Day 6 - Napier

Today is free to enjoy the local sights and activities. Recommended Optional Extra: Visit Elephant Hill, a stunning and innovative winery estate and restaurant located on the idyllic Te Awanga coast, 30 minutes’ drive away.

Hotel: Breckenridge Lodge
Meals: Breakfast

Day 7 - Martinborough (334 kms)

Enjoy the clean, green Wairarapa scenery as you drive south through to Martinborough, home to over 25 boutique vineyards. Take your time and stop to enjoy the various cellar door experiences available.

Hotel: Peppers Parehua Country Estate
Meals: Breakfast

Day 8 - Martinborough

Today’s gourmet food and wine tour takes you by car with your driver/guide around the small towns of the south Wairarapa: exploring the pretty historical township of Greytown and the celebrated Martinborough wine village. The focus is both fine food and wine, savouring tastes of both from specialty producers. Go where few visitors can, up close, meeting innovative people dedicated to being the very best they can be with their premium boutique brands. The delicious three course tasting lunch is matched with premium Martinborough wines.

Hotel: Peppers Parehua Country Estate
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 9 - Wellington (80 kms)

Travel to Wellington and drop off your rental car at the Interislander Ferry depot in time for your ferry crossing through the Marlborough Sounds to Picton.

On arrival, take the Seafood Odyssea cruise to your luxury accommodation in the beautiful Marlborough Sounds. Enjoy the sights and sounds of the Queen Charlotte Sound with seemingly endless bays and coves to explore. Visit a New Zealand King Salmon Farm and enjoy a fabulous tasting matched to a glass of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. Dinner is included at your accommodation at the Bay of Many Coves this evening.

Hotel: Bay of Many Coves
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 10 - Marlborough Sounds

Enjoy a full day at your leisure on the Marlborough Sounds. Dinner is included at your accommodation this evening.

Hotel: Bay of Many Coves
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 11 - Kaikoura (160 kms)

Take the water taxi back through the Marlborough Sounds to Picton. On arrival collect your rental car and travel down the East Coast to Kaikoura. You may wish to travel via Blenheim – well known as a centre of New Zealand’s wine industry. Follow the ruggedly beautiful coastline between the surging Pacific Ocean and the steeply rising Kaikoura ranges. Kaikoura is renowned for its seafood dishes.

Local specialties include grouper, cod, mussels, paua (abalone) and the town’s namesake – Crayfish (lobster). Other delights such as oysters, scallops and whitebait are available when in season. Your overnight accommodation is at the luxury Hapuku Lodge famed for its impressive food menu and outstanding rooms.

Hotel: Hapuku Lodge
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 12 - Christchurch (203 kms)

Continue down the coast, across broad, braided rivers and the rich patchwork farming landscape of the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch.

Hotel: Hotel Montreal
Meals: Breakfast

Day 13 - Oamaru (249 kms)

Travel south along the coast to the historical town of Oamaru. The rest of your day is at your leisure to explore this delightful township and relax in your luxury lodge style accommodation where dinner is included.

Hotel: Pen-Y-Bryn
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 14 - Oamaru

Enjoy a full day at your leisure. Dinner is included at your accommodation this evening.

Hotel: Pen-Y-Bryn
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 15 - Arrowtown (274 kms)

Journey in-land today to the beautiful gold-mining town of Arrowtown. The rest of your day is at your leisure.

Hotel: Arrowtown House Boutique Hotel
Meals: Breakfast

Day 16 - Arrowtown

Enjoy the day at your leisure – explore the world class food and beverage options and sophisticated shopping outlets available in the town.

Hotel: Arrowtown House Boutique Hotel
Meals: Breakfast

Day 17 - Farewell from Queenstown

Following breakfast at your Arrowtown accommodation travel to Queenstown where your journey ends.