11 Day Southern Wine Trail

11 Day Southern Wine Trail Touring Route:

Tour Inclusions:

• Full day guided wine tour in Queenstown
• Gourmet walking tour in Wellington
• Scenic Interislander Ferry Cruise
• Icons of Marlborough - Guided tour of stunning Marlborough wine region, home to our world famous Sauvignon Blanc.
• Greenshell Mussel Cruise - Enjoy an informative and relaxing afternoon cruising the inner Pelorus and Kenepuru Sounds.
• 10 nights premium accommodation of your choice
• 3 nights in majestic Queenstown
• Full cooked breakfasts daily and 2 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
• Bonus: Pre-paid card for Wine Tastes in Queenstown

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• B&B: Lambton Heights (2 nights)
• Hotel: Novotel Wellington (2 nights)
• Boutique: The Bolton Hotel (2 nights)

Wellington to Blenheim on the Interislander
This morning return your rental car to the depot at the ferry terminal and board the Interislander ferry across the Cook Strait to Picton, on arrival collect your new rental car and make your way to Blenheim in Marlborough – home to over 160 wineries. (B)

• B&B: Stonehaven (2 nights)
• Hotel: Chateau Marlborough (2 nights)
• Boutique: The Peppertree (2 nights)

Marlborough Icons Tour
Head out into the stunning Marlborough wine region to sample the world famous Sauvignon Blanc. Marlborough is renowned as the wine capital of New Zealand with over half of New Zealand’s wine grown in the region. Marlborough has gained a reputation as one of the finest wine-growing regions in the world. See why our Sauvignon Blanc is world famous, try the aromatic Riesling, Pinot Gris and Gewurztraminer or sample the complexities of our Merlot and Pinot Noir. Visit Marlborough's Icon winery, Cloudy Bay, for a tasting of the range of award winning wines. Enjoy the Pelorus Bubbles, the Sauvignon Blanc, and the complexities of Te Koko Sauvignon and Cloudy Bay Pinot Noir. 

Visit "The Village" where you can try stunning wines from a selection of boutique wine companies, along with Prenzel Schnapps, Marlborough Olive oils or view the crafts of Quilters Barn. After a morning of wine tastings we will head through to Havelock, the gateway to the Pelorus and Kenepuru Sounds. Time to enjoy a nice lunch (own cost) at the Slip Inn Cafe before boarding your launch for the Greenshell Mussel cruise. Enjoy an informative and relaxing afternoon cruising the inner Pelorus and Kenepuru Sounds. Take in the natural beauty of this tranquil environment, learn about the history of the Marlborough Sounds and the pioneering families who have settled here. Visit a Greenshell Mussel farm. Learn about the intricacies of growing this delicacy and taste freshly steamed mussels with a glass of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. (B)

• B&B: Albergo Hanmer
• Hotel: Heritage Hotel Hanmer Springs
• Boutique: Select Braemar Lodge

Hanmer Springs to Twizel
It’s a fairly long drive today, but you may like to stop off at one of the wineries in the Waipara area as you pass through. (B)

• All Categories: Matuka Lodge

Twizel to Wanaka
If the weather is clear, we recommend a side-trip to Mt Cook this morning before heading off to Wanaka. In Wanaka visit the Rippon winery for tastings. (B)

• B&B: Wanaka Springs
• Hotel: Edgewater Resort
• Boutique: Minaret Lodge

Wanaka to Queenstown
Only a short drive today. Take the route from Wanaka to Queenstown that runs along the Clutha River, Lake Dunstan and the Shotover River. This area is better known as the Central Otago Wine Trail region encompassing Wanaka, Cromwell, Bannockburn, Bendigo, Alexandra, and Gibbston with an international reputation for Pinot Noir. There are over 30 wineries and vineyards in this area offering tastings, tours, lunches and meals. Further along SH6 and 15 minutes from central Queenstown is the Arrowtown Junction at Lake Hayes. On the corner you will find the exquisite Amisfield Winery & Bistro which should not be missed. (B)

• B&B: Browns Boutique (3 nights)
• Hotel: Hotel St Moritz (3 nights)
• Boutique: The Dairy (3 nights)

Queenstown at leisure
A full day to further explore Queenstown and the surrounding area. Make sure you visit Wine Tastes – located right in the heart of Queenstown, Wine Tastes is one of the largest wine tasting experiences in the world. Serve yourself a taste, half or full glass from over 80 different wines for tasting using the state-of-the-art Enomatic Wine Serving System. As a bonus, have included a pre-paid card for you! (B)

Depart Queenstown
Sadly, your holiday is at an end and you deliver your car back to the rental car depot at Queenstown 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)