Tour Type: Premium Self Drive Tour
Duration: 12 Days
Tour Starts In: Auckland
Tour Finishes In: Wellington
|
from NZ $4039 pp
|
12 Day Northern Wine Trail Touring Route:
Tour Inclusions:
- Enjoy a day of wine and olive tasting at three vineyards and an olive grove on Waiheke Island
- Full day guided tour Matakana Coast Wine Country
- Full day guided wine tours in Hawkes Bay and Martinborough
- Gourmet walking tour in Wellington
- 11 nights premium accommodation of your choice
- 3 nights in Auckland and lot's of 2 night stopovers for a relaxing self drive itinerary
- Full cooked breakfasts daily and 5 lunches
- Rental vehicle of your choice
- Satellite Navigation Included
- Admissions outlined in the Itinerary
- Personal 'Meet & Greet' at the airport, with private transfer to your accommodation
- Comprehensive travel compendium, maps, CD guide, vouchers and travel guides
Back to top |
Day
1 |
Arrive Auckland
On arrival at Auckland airport, you will be personally met by our representative & transferred in an executive sedan to your accommodation. The afternoon is yours to relax or to explore the 'City of Sails'. Auckland is New Zealand's largest and most vibrant city, offering an exciting array of cosmopolitan experiences. Family attractions abound and the city has plenty of adrenaline for adventure lovers. Indulge in auckland's shopping, nightlife and unrivalled cuisine. Discover why Auckland is one of the best places in the world to live - and visit.
|
Day
2 |
Taste Waiheke
Make your way to the Auckland ferry terminal and board your ferry at Downtown Auckland Ferry Terminal for a pleasant cruise through the Hauraki Gulf to Waiheke Island. You'll enjoy a day of wine and olive tasting at three vineyards and an olive grove, plus have the chance to indulge in locally produced foods such as mouth watering preserves and world class olive oils. Tour includes a light lunch at Stonyridge Vineyard. After your tour, explore the island further before returning to Auckland by ferry. (B/L) |
Day
3 |
Great Tastes of Matakana Guided Tour
This morning you will be collected from your hotel. Leave the bustle of the city and relax on the one hour drive north through the rolling green hills and past beautiful coastline before arriving at The Honey Centre. Here you find New Zealand's largest display of live bees and a huge range of honeys available for tasting as well as honey mead and fruit-wine. Then we visit a local vineyard and taste award-winning wines and local cheese in a platter match. Nearby, in the heart of Matakana Coast Wine Country, is Morris & James Pottery, where you are greeted by a pure visual spectacle of layer upon layer of design and colour from matt black to luscious red. Lunch is at Mahurangi River Winery with its contemporary New Zealand architecture and wide pastoral views. Tour the winery and barrel room and sample their wine (made only from grapes grown on the property) before taking time to enjoy the local cuisine.
From here Brick Bay Sculpture Trail showcases an ever-changing exhibition of contemporary sculptures by leading New Zealand artists. Sample their hand crafted wines in the unique Glass House building before heading back to the city. The day is rounded off with a stop at Chocolate Brown - where they hand-make outrageously fine chocolates. (B/L) |
Day
4 |
Auckland to Taupo
Collect your rental car this morning and head south to Taupo. You might like to go via Waitomo and take a guided tour of the glow-worm caves. In Taupo, relax and enjoy the Scenic Cellars for wine-tasting and shopping. You may like to visit the River Vineyard and Restaurant at Tongariro River Estate for dinner. (B)
|
Day
5 |
Taupo to Hawkes Bay
Leisurely morning in Taupo – enjoy coffee beside the lake, or take a swim in the hot pools. From here you have quite a variety of scenery as you ascend to the volcanic plateau then across mountains and valleys to Hawke’s Bay. (B)
|
Day
6 |
Full Day Guided Wine Tour of Hawke's Bay
A complete action packed day highlighting the best Hawke's Bay has to offer. Start the day in the picturesque Esk Valley Region. Take a full behind the scenes tour of Church Road winery, the Tom McDonald Cellar and NZ's only wine museum. Enjoy lunch with wine at the country's oldest and grandest winery, the Mission Estate. After lunch visit one of Hawke's Bay's small boutique wineries and take another behind the scenes look at how wine evolves from the vine to the glass on a smaller scale. A great contrast to the larger production winery from the morning. Travel through NZ's most prestigious wine growing district the Gimblett Gravels from which we taste award winning wines throughout the day. Finish with a gourmet platter at award winning restaurant and winery Vidal. Indulge in the finest local produce including meat, seafood, cheese, marinated vegetables, olives, breads and dips. (B/L) |
Day
7 |
Hawkes Bay to Greytown
Today’s route has you driving through some of New Zealand’s rural heartland with a mixture of sheep, dairy and crop farming. You may like to visit the Tui Brewery at Mangatainoka – tour the brewery and taste a selection of ales. Carterton is a good place to shop for Paua shell souvenirs. Tonight stay in the colonial village of Greytown. Your apartment is an easy 5 minute stroll from the shops and cafes. (B)
- All Categories: Briarwood
|
Day
8 |
Greytown to Martinborough
Enjoy a leisurely morning browsing the antique, homeware and fashion shops and art galleries. Enjoy coffee and authentic French breads and pastries at the French Baker (world famous in New Zealand!) before making your way to Martinborough. (B)
|
Day
9 |
Full Day Guided Wine Tour of Martinborough
This unique and exclusive wine tour takes you behind the scenes, often where the general public can't access. Your friendly, knowledgeable wine tour host, Jill Fraser, will ensure your day is pleasurable and enlightening. You will have the opportunity to taste regional cuisine and sample wines; meet local winemakers and growers; and experience the culture of Martinborough including a visit to an olive oil producer. (B/L) |
Day
10 |
Martinborough to Wellington
Climb up and over the Rimutaka Range - great views in every direction. Once the mountains are behind you, it’s easy driving for the rest of your journey. You’ll wind through the picturesque Hutt Valley then a fast moving motorway will whisk you towards the city. You may like to take a detour to Wharekauhau, one of New Zealand’s most exclusive lodges, for lunch (contact your consultant for this option). (B)
|
Day
11 |
Zest Walking Gourmet Tour
This mouth-watering culinary experience concludes with a delicious, light, three course tasting lunch with matched New Zealand wines at top Wellington restaurant. Over a relaxed 4 hour walking gourmet tour around Wellington's best food places, your personal guide will introduce you to new and favourite flavours. Tour content can vary seasonally, and you may visit a boutique coffee roaster and stylish cafe, renowned specialist fresh produce and gourmet food stores, and a unique contemporary chocolatier. The remainder of the afternoon is free to explore Wellington - Walk around downtown and harbour-side, visit galleries and shopping in Lambton Quay and the national museum of Te Papa Tongarewa on the harbour waterfront. (B/L) |
Day
12 |
Depart Wellington
Sadly, your holiday is at an end and you deliver your car back to the rental car depot at Wellington airport today for your onward flight. Here, we bid you a fond farewell and hope you leave with many happy memories of your stay in Aotearoa, New Zealand. (B) |
| |
Note: This self drive tour can be completed in reverse order, the tour cost remains the same. To view tour prices or to make an enquiry, please click on the Tabs at the top of this itinerary. Top |
 |
Tour Prices
All tour prices are per person, twin share. |
|
| |
| Intermediate Car |
NZ $4,227 |
NZ $4,039 |
NZ $5,761 |
| Full Size Car |
NZ $4,268 |
NZ $4,080 |
NZ $5,801 |
| Mid Size 4WD |
NZ $4,384 |
NZ $4,197 |
NZ $5,919 |
| Full Size 4WD |
NZ $4,451 |
NZ $4,264 |
NZ $5,985 |
| People Mover (MPV) |
NZ $4,485 |
NZ $4,297 |
NZ $6,019 |
| Premium Full Size 4WD |
NZ $4,539 |
NZ $4,351 |
NZ $6,072 |
EXCLUSIVE SPECIAL OFFER
2012/13 Season Sale! Save 10% off the prices shown on our website, for 01 May to 31 Aug 2012 departures. Save 5% on all other departures. Deposit this month to qualify! |
*Terms & Conditions apply to any discounts and/or specials above. Your designated tour consultant will apply the appropriate discounts automatically to your quote and detail any currently applicable 'Exclusive Specials'. |
Self Drive Tour Notes
Prices above are per person & valid till September 2013. |
| |
- Frequently Asked Questions.
- International flights to & from New Zealand are not included.
- Single, Triple & Quad prices are available on request.
- If you would prefer a mix of the accommodation listed we can arrange this.
- For families we can also price our premium self drive tours using self catering apartments.
- Our premium B&B's do not cater for children.
- If a property listed on our itinerary is unavailable at the time of booking we will replace it with a equivalent accommodation, and let you know, to ensure it is to your satisfaction.
- Please note this itinerary was last amended 5 April 2012.
|
|
     |
