either

• from Wellington, morning ferry cruise across Cook Strait and through bush-clad Marlborough Sounds to Picton
• short drive through bush-clad hills to Blenheim, heart of the Marlborough wine region with it’s cool, long-ripening season

or

• from Christchurch, through the Waipara wine region, rugged Kaikoura coastline

Suggestions:

• visit Makana Boutique Chocolate Factory – the ultimate chocolate experience
• taste quality schnapps, premium brandies and unique infused oils and vinaigrette at Prenzel at Mud House Village
• elegant dining at Vintners Retreat vineyard restaurant.

• full day guided tour, including 2 leading Marlborough wineries to sample award-winning wines
• lunch at Havelock on the waterfront (lunch extra)
• cruise Marlborough Sounds, visit a mussel farm and taste freshly steamed mussels matched with wine
• short walk through native bush to secluded beach

Suggestions:

• be spoilt for choice for vineyard dining options this evening
• Herzog Winery and Luxury Restaurant in a breathtaking setting

• morning at leisure
• drive south through vast valleys of vineyards
• ocean meets the mountains at Kaikoura – watch for seals basking on the rocks

Suggestions:

• look out for fresh local crayfish (lobster) and mussels at Kaikoura eateries
• visit the Lavender Farm at Kaikoura
• afternoon visit to Kaikoura Wine Company, vineyard near the sea, for tastings, deli-bar and platters

• morning free for optional whale watch cruise at Kaikoura
• short drive south via the Waipara Valley vineyard region to Christchurch

Suggestions:

• lunch at Waipara Hills Winery near Waipara
• numerous casual dining options along “The Strip” on the banks of the River Avon
• cafes and cuisine on trendy Victoria Street
• dine by the waterfront at Sumner seaside suburb
• dining and entertainment at the boutique Christchurch Casino

Includes:

• 3 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 $2925. Excess waiver $27/day reduces it to $270)
• Full day Marlborough winery guided tour and Marlborough Sounds Mussel Cruise

Surcharge for travel ex Wellington:

• Ferry crossing Wellington-Picton at $65 per person

either

• from Wellington: morning ferry cruise across Cook Strait and through bush-clad Marlborough Sounds to Picton
• short drive to Blenheim, heart of the Marlborough wine region and home to world-renowned Cloudy Bay

or

• from Christchurch: drive north through the Waipara vineyard region to Kaikoura by the Pacific, then on to Blenheim
• Marlborough wine region is New Zealand’s largest wine producing area

Suggestions:

• lunch in Picton on the harbour for southbound travellers
• lunch at award-winning The Store at Kekerengu overlooking the Pacific Ocean, for northbound travellers
• visit Makana Boutique Chocolate Factory – the ultimate chocolate experience
• elegant dining at Vintners Retreat vineyard restaurant

• morning free to explore
• depart early afternoon on a guided wine tour of 2-3 of Marlborough’s top wineries
• knowledgeable local guide/driver to show you around this premier wine growing region

Suggestions

• taste quality schnapps, premium brandies and unique infused oils and vinaigrettes at Prenzel at Mud House Village
• dine at Herzog Winery and Luxury Restaurant in a breathtaking setting

• short afternoon drive through to Nelson on Tasman Bay, a gourmet’s paradise
• high quality wines, fresh seafood, local fruit are specialities
• waterfront restaurants, country cafes

Suggestions:

• fresh mussels at The Mussel Pot Restaurant at Havelock
• head for Mapua Wharf (approx 40 minutes north of Nelson), village for arts and cuisine
• lunch at Flax Restaurant & Bar, Mapua
• visit Wearable Art & Classic Car Museum (WOW), open 7 days
• Hoglund Art Glass, International Glass Centre, open 7 days

• a full day of fun, food and wine, Waimea Plains and remote Moutere Hills region
• visit 5-6 award winning vineyards and a winery tour, food & wine matching
• meet vineyard owners and winemakers, sample wines, olive oils, breads
• full gourmet lunch included

Suggestions:

• Nelson Farmers Market (Saturday mornings)
• dinner at award-winning Boat Shed Café on the waterfront
• The Honest Lawyer, indoor/outdoor dining, local food & wine, tap beer

• a scenic day of forests, rivers, bush-clad hills and one of the most wild coastal drives in New Zealand
• Pancake Rocks & Blowholes at Punakaiki, Paparoa National Park

Suggestions:

• seek out The Bay House for lunch at Cape Foulwind
• fresh local cuisine at Punakaiki Rocks Hotel
• walk the wild beach at sunset

• stop for superb coffee at the Rata Café at Barrytown for spectacular ocean views of the Tasman Sea
• visit greenstone (jade) galleries in Greymouth
• rainforest, snow-covered alps, patchwork plains en route via Arthurs Pass to Christchurch

Suggestions:

• plenty of options for casual dining options along “The Strip” on the banks of the River Avon
• cafes and cuisine on trendy Victoria Street
• dine by the waterfront at Sumner seaside suburb
• dining and entertainment at boutique Christchurch Casino

Includes:

• 5 nights accommodation as selected, room only or with breakfast if B&B chosen
• 6 days' rental car as selected with unlimited kms and insurance
  (Excess $2925. Excess waiver $27/day reduces it to $270)
• Half day guided winery tour, Marlborough
• Full day guided wine tour, Nelson

Surcharge for travel ex Wellington:

• on-Picton Ferry crossing Wellington-Picton at $65.00 per person

• through farmland, hill country and alpine plateau to the wine region of Bannockburn near Cromwell
• bare rugged hills, snow-capped mountain peaks and glacial lakes
• dry seasonal climate favour local vineyards with a reputation for pinot noir

Suggestions:

• visit the Berry Barn Bakers and Barkers Shop at Geraldine for oven-fresh baked treats and tastings of local jams and chutneys
• call in to the salmon farm on the roadside at Lake Ruataniwha

• depart mid morning, visit The Big Picture for Aroma Room, movie tour and platter lunch
• visit 2 wineries with tastings, Prenzels in the Alps
• historic Old Cromwell Town for art, crafts and deli food

Suggestions:

• take a pontoon cruise on the mighty Clutha River, historic mining sites
• visit Stonehouse at Alexandra for gourmet fruit pickles, sauces, chutneys and fruit preserves

• vines cling to the rocky slopes of the Kawarau Gorge, graceful Lake Hayes
• Queenstown on the lake

Suggestions:

• lunch at historic Arrowtown – hunt out Joe’s Garage cafe to meet the locals – explore the lanes and cafes
• Amisfield Winery Bistro for spectacular views of Lake Hayes

• morning at leisure
• fun and informative, guided afternoon wine tour
• tastings at 4 wineries, underground wine cave tour
• rugged Central Otago landscape, rivers, hills, mountains

Suggestions:

• morning of retail therapy in Queenstown Village, local art galleries, jewellery and fashion
• spectacular lake and mountain views from the Skyline Restaurant (access by aerial cablecar)
• spectacular helicopter flight (perhaps to Milford Sound), with glacier landing

• retrace your route back to the Garden City of Christchurch

Suggestions:

• alternative route via Palmerston for the coastal route to Christchurch (add 50km approx)
• numerous casual dining options along “The Strip” on the banks of the River Avon
• cafes and cuisine on trendy Victoria Street

• visit some of the premier vineyards of the Waipara Valley region, with pinot noir, riesling, chardonnay and sauvignon blanc dominating local plantings
• 4 award-winning wineries, wine tastings, winery lunch platter and informative commentary

Suggestions:

• dine by the waterfront at Sumner seaside suburb
• dining and entertainment at boutique Christchurch Casino

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 $1918. Excess waiver $27 /day reduces it to $270)
• Bannockburn half day wine tour
• Afternoon guided winery tour, Queenstown
• Waipara afternoon winery tour