12-Nights New Zealand - Southern Vistas & Wine Trail from $8,899

Itinerary Details

Day 1: Wellington; Arrive Wellington

Welcome to Wellington, New Zealand’s lively waterfront capital. On arrival at Wellington Airport, meet your driver and transfer privately to your hotel for a three-night stay. The remainder of the day is at leisure. Perhaps stroll along the waterfront, explore the vibrant laneways surrounding Cuba Street or settle into one of the city’s welcoming cafés and restaurants.

Day 2: Wellington; Full-Day Wine Tour (B,L)

After breakfast, depart on a full-day wine experience beyond Wellington. Travel through picturesque countryside to visit selected cellar doors, meeting local producers and sampling wines that reflect the region’s cool climate and distinctive terroir. Learn about local grape varieties and winemaking techniques while enjoying a relaxed introduction to one of New Zealand’s boutique wine-growing areas.

Day 3: Wellington; Capital Bites Foodie Tour (B)

Discover Wellington’s celebrated culinary culture on the Capital Bites Foodie Tour. Explore the compact city center with a knowledgeable local guide, stopping at carefully selected venues to taste regional produce and specialty dishes. Along the way, hear stories about Wellington’s food scene and creative character. The remainder of the day is free to visit museums, browse local shops or explore the waterfront.

Day 4: Marlborough Sounds; Wellington to the Marlborough Sounds (B)

Transfer privately to the ferry terminal and board the ferry to Picton, travelling with access to the comfortable Pohutukawa Lounge. Cross the Cook Strait before entering the spectacular Marlborough Sounds, where forested hills rise above sheltered waterways. On arrival in Picton, continue by boat to the secluded Bay of Many Coves for a peaceful three-night stay.

Day 5: Marlborough Sounds; Bay of Many Coves at Leisure (B)

Enjoy a full day at leisure in the beautiful Marlborough Sounds. Surrounded by native forest and tranquil waterways, the Bay of Many Coves is an idyllic place to slow down and appreciate the natural environment. Relax at the property, take in the coastal views or choose from optional activities such as kayaking, bushwalking and wildlife encounters.

Day 6: Marlborough Sounds; Marlborough Wine Tour (B)

Experience the celebrated wines of Marlborough on a half-day guided tour. Visit selected wineries and taste examples of the region’s internationally recognized Sauvignon Blanc alongside other cool-climate varieties. Learn how Marlborough’s sunny days, cool nights and varied soils influence its wines. Afterwards, return to the Bay of Many Coves and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.

Day 7: Christchurch; Picton to Christchurch aboard the Coastal Pacific (B)

Return by boat to Picton and board the Coastal Pacific for a memorable journey south to Christchurch. Relax in Scenic Plus comfort while enjoying enhanced service and expansive views of the coastline, rural landscapes and dramatic Kaikoura Ranges. On arrival in Christchurch, meet your private driver and transfer to your hotel for a two-night stay.

Day 8: Christchurch; Christchurch City and Wine Trails (B,L)

Explore Christchurch and its surrounding wine country on a full-day guided experience. Discover the changing face of the Garden City, where historic landmarks, green spaces and innovative new architecture sit side by side. Continue into the countryside to visit local wineries, sample regional wines and enjoy an included lunch showcasing seasonal produce before returning to Christchurch.

Day 9: Queenstown; Christchurch to Queenstown via Aoraki/Mount Cook (B)

Depart Christchurch on a small-group sightseeing journey through the South Island’s magnificent interior. Travel across the Canterbury Plains and through the Mackenzie Country, passing vivid turquoise lakes and expansive alpine scenery. Pause near Aoraki/Mount Cook, New Zealand’s highest mountain, before continuing through changing landscapes to Queenstown for a four-night stay beside beautiful Lake Wakatipu.

Day 10: Queenstown; Milford Sound Coach, Cruise and Fly Experience (B,L)

Journey by coach through Fiordland National Park to magnificent Milford Sound, passing mountain lakes, rainforest and dramatic alpine valleys. Board a cruise to travel beneath towering cliffs and cascading waterfalls, with opportunities to spot local wildlife. After an included lunch, return to Queenstown on a scenic flight, gaining a spectacular aerial perspective of Fiordland’s remote peaks and waterways.

Day 11: Queenstown; Gourmet Food and Wine Tour (B,L)

Spend the day discovering the flavors of Central Otago, one of the world’s most southerly wine regions and particularly renowned for Pinot Noir. Visit selected wineries, enjoy guided tastings and learn about the area’s distinctive climate and landscapes. An included gourmet lunch highlights quality regional ingredients, completing a relaxed day of exceptional food, wine and scenery..

Day 12: Queenstown; Day 12 – Queenstown at Leisure (B)

Enjoy a free day to experience Queenstown at your own pace. Browse the town’s boutiques and galleries, stroll beside Lake Wakatipu or ride the gondola for sweeping views across the surrounding mountains. Alternatively, choose from the region’s many optional adventures, take a leisurely lake cruise or simply relax and enjoy Queenstown’s excellent cafés, restaurants and alpine atmosphere.

Day 13: Queenstown; Depart Queenstown (B)

After breakfast, enjoy any remaining time at leisure before checking out of your hotel. At the appropriate time, meet your driver for a private transfer to Queenstown Airport. Depart with wonderful memories of New Zealand’s coastal waterways, alpine landscapes, celebrated wine regions and outstanding culinary experiences.

12 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches