North Island Food and Wine Tour

From Auckland to Wellington
  • Northland, Auckland & Waiheke
  • Central & Lower North Island
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Tour Description

This is a luxury getaway of indulgence. A chance to combine your passion for nature and the outdoors with your love of fine wines and great food!

Start your journey in Waiheke Island, a short ferry trip away from Auckland and home to beautiful scenery, incredible wineries, and delicious eateries. Your getaway will have you stay in a boutique luxury hotel with perfect views and in house fine-dining chef who will design a 4-course dining experience to suit you. Enjoy a day touring the island's wineries and food scene, discovering the many beautiful views found on the island. On return to the mainland, pick up your rental car and enjoy the drive to Hawkes Bay. Enjoy your luxury accommodation in a heritage villa with beautiful gardens, the perfect getaway for relaxation. The focus is on wine tasting. But a visit to the Gannet Colony or a game of golf is also possible. You continue your journey towards the Wairarapa. Taste some of the local, handcrafted chocolate, gin, and more wine. Relax at your boutique hotel in the centre of town to enjoy all that this wine village has to offer. Award-winning eateries are only a few footsteps away.
On your last day make your way to Wellington where your journey comes to an end.

Our self-drive itineraries can be tailor-made to suit your duration and interests, please just let us know!

Viva's Best Bits...

"We can adjust this itinerary to suit your interests, add in a game of golf, cycling or visit a Gannet Colony" Pia, Team Viva

Wine, Wine, some more wine, perhaps some gin, and lots of fabulous food and chocolates, this is a great foodie escape

Enjoy the scenery and wildlife along the way - take a walk in a wildlife sanctuary

Tour Itinerary

Customisable ? This tour can be customised to suit your tastes and timing. Enquire here for more information.
Day 1
Auckland Waiheke Island

Board the ferry from Auckland and make your way to the beautiful Waiheke Island. On arrival we can arrange a driver to pick you up or you can make your own way to the lodge. Once you have checked in, enjoy the stunning views from your accommodation with a glass of wine. This evening the Executive chef will prepare a custom designed four course dining experience.

Day 2
Waiheke Island

Start your morning with a 4-course gourmet breakfast at your lodge. You will then embark on a private wine tour of Waiheke Island. Visit an award-winning olive oil mill, followed by two wineries, each offering a range of gourmet tastes to accompany the wines. Over the course of the day you will indulge in oysters straight from Te Matuku Bay, wild honey, local green herb spread and artisan cheeses, and of course plenty of wine.

Day 3
Waiheke Island Hawkes Bay

Start your morning with a 4-course breakfast at your lodge. Depart Waiheke and enjoy your ferry ride back to Auckland, Halfmoon Bay. On arrival at the ferry terminal pick up your rental car and start your 5-6-hour drive to the beautiful Hawkes Bay. Your hosts will welcome you upon arrival and the rest of the evening is at your own leisure.

Day 4
Hawkes Bay

Enjoy your gourmet breakfast and then its time to explore the region. Optional guided wine tour by car or bicycle. Visit some of the famous Gimblett Gravels vineyards and taste some of their Bordeaux variety wines.
If you are visiting Saturday and Sunday, then pop in at the famous farmers market for some delicious, local food.
We recommend dinner at St Georges Restaurant, make sure you book in advance.

Day 5
Hawkes Bay Martinborough

After your gourmet breakfast it is time to drive south. Before leaving Hawkes Bay, stop for a quick chocolate sampling at the Silky Oak Chocolate company. Stop on the way at Pukaha National Wildlife Centre and learn a bit more about New Zealand wildlife. If you feel like some more chocolate, then Schoc Chocolate is the place. You can taste some of the 85 types of different, handcrafted chocolate flavours. If you fancy some tasty, organic treats stop at the ‘Food Forest Organics’ store where most of the food comes from ‘The Cameron Family Farm’. From here it’s just another 15 minutes and you will arrive in Martinborough. Settle into your suite at the historical hotel. Take a stroll across the square and try the Cool Change Bar & Eatery for dinner.

Day 6
Martinborough

After your breakfast with some barista coffee it is time to focus on what Martinborough is best known for; wine and in particular Pinot Noir. We suggest a walking wine tour, or you can of course go and explore on your own. Make sure you taste the Lighthouse Gin at the Te Kairanga Winery.
Enjoy lunch at one of the many vineries, e.g. Tirohana Estate in the centre of Martinborough. Later in the afternoon check out ‘The Wine Bank’ this is more than a wine shop and you can – experience the ‘Wine vending machine’, here you can try some of the best wines in the region. They also serve delicious food platters. If you are still hungry for dinner, try Union Square.

Day 7
Martinborough Wellington

After breakfast start your drive over the scenic Rimutaka Hill and arrive in Wellington in just a bit over an hour. You may have time to stop in Wellington Central and check out some of the nice eateries in the Te Aro suburb, before dropping off you rental car.

What’s Included

Accommodation
  • Included Copy 20 6 nights boutique accomodation
Food
  • Included Copy 20 Daily breakfast
  • Included Copy 20 1 gourmet dinner with wine in Waiheke
  • Included Copy 20 1 lunch
Fees & Services
  • Included Copy 20 Full day private wine and food tour Waiheke Island
  • Included Copy 20 Return ferry tickets Waiheke
  • Included Copy 20 5 days rental car Auckland to Wellington
  • Included Copy 31 Winery tours, Farmers Markets, chocolate sampling, fine dining
  • Included Copy 31 Pukaha National Wildlife Centre, home to wild kōkako and kākā, white kiwi, and more
  • Included Copy 31 This self-drive itinerary can be customised for you
Transportation

Rental Car

Activities

  • Included Sample wine at internationally acclaimed vineyards
  • Included Foodies! Oysters straight from Te Matuku Bay, wild honey, local green herb spread and artisan cheese
  • Included Explore Waiheke, Hawkes Bay, Martinborough at your leisure
  • Included Call in at Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre to spot birds like kōkako and kākā
  • Included Perhaps sample the Lighthouse Gin at the Te Kairanga Winery
  • Included Relax at boutique accomodation
Click here for dates & prices
Duration

7 days

Price from

$1,365 USD

Per person, sharing

including GST

Daily Departures