New Zealand Southern Vistas & Wine Trail
13 Days | 12 Nights
Price per person from
$7,449pp
*Based on double occupancy
Land Only
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Discover New Zealand through its celebrated wines, distinctive cuisine and breathtaking landscapes. Travelling from Wellington to Queenstown, this carefully curated vacation combines memorable dining experiences, spectacular rail and ferry journeys, secluded coastal luxury and some of the South Island’s most iconic scenery.
- 12 Nights Superior/Deluxe Accommodation
- 6 Experiences including Wine and Food Touring, Milford Sound and more
- Private airport/hotel airport transfers
- Breakfast daily
Description
Begin in Wellington, New Zealand’s compact and creative capital, where colorful neighborhoods, a thriving culinary scene and a beautiful waterfront provide an engaging introduction to the country. Discover local flavors on the Capital Bites Foodie Tour and spend a day exploring the surrounding wine region, renowned for its elegant cool-climate varieties.
Cross the Cook Strait to Picton by ferry, relaxing in the exclusive Pōhutukawa Lounge as the journey enters the sheltered waterways of the Marlborough Sounds. Continue by boat to the Bay of Many Coves, a secluded retreat surrounded by native forest and tranquil coastal scenery. During your stay, enjoy time relaxing and experience the wines of Marlborough, New Zealand’s largest and most famous wine-producing region.
Return to Picton and board the Coastal Pacific for one of the country’s most scenic rail journeys. Scenic Plus service enhances the experience as the train travels between the Pacific Ocean and the Kaikōura Ranges en route to Christchurch. Explore the revitalized Garden City before combining its key sights with the vineyards and seasonal cuisine of the surrounding countryside.
The journey continues through the South Island’s dramatic interior, passing turquoise lakes and alpine landscapes on a sightseeing experience via Aoraki/Mount Cook to Queenstown. Set between Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables mountain range, Queenstown is an ideal base for further exploration. Cruise beneath towering peaks and waterfalls in Milford Sound, sample the produce and wines of Central Otago, and enjoy time to discover this spectacular lakeside destination independently.
With daily breakfast, carefully selected excursions and seamless transfers included, Southern Wineries and Vistas offers an exceptional combination of food, wine, scenery and distinctly New Zealand experiences.
Price
Travel Dates |
Price* | |
|---|---|---|
| *Based on double occupancy | ||
| Oct 1, 2026 - Oct 31, 2026 | from $8,149pp * | |
| Nov 1, 2026 - Jan 31, 2027 | from $8,899pp * | |
| Feb 1, 2027 - Mar 31, 2027 | from $9,099pp * | |
| Apr 1, 2027 - Apr 30, 2027 | from $8,149pp * | |
| May 1, 2027 - Jun 20, 2027 | from $7,449pp * | |
*Prices are quoted in USD and are ‘from’, per person, based on double occupancy. Single supplements apply. Valid for weekday departures and weekend returns May 1- June 20, 2026. Advertised pricing reflects low season pricing. Seasonal surcharges apply for travel outside this season. Must be booked by December 31, 2026. Black-out dates and surchargeble dates apply. Prices are current at time of posting (8/10/2026) and may differ when you book your travel and are not guaranteed until full payment is received and processed, due to fuel surcharges and currency fluctuations. All pricing is strictly subject to availability. All prices, itineraries and routing are subject to change without notice. Please call for our current prices. CA CST: 2076233-40 | WA ID: 601 684 531 | PC-1282498.
Inclusions
- One-way private transfer Wellington Airport/Hotel
- 3-nights Wellington, Rydges Wellington, Deluxe Harbourview Room or similar
- Full-day Wine Tour
- Capital Bites Foodie Tour
- One-way private transfer Wellington Hotel/Ferry Terminal
- One-way ferry transfer from Wellington to Picton with Pōhutukawa Lounge access
- Round-trip transfer from Picton to Bay of Many Coves
- 3-nights Marlborough Sounds, Bay of Many Coves, 1 Bedroom Apartment
- Half-day Marlborough Wine Tour
- One-way rail journey on the Coastal Pacific from Picton to Christchurch, Scenic Plus
- One-way private transfer Christchurch Rail Station/Hotel
- 2-nights Christchurch, Rydges Latimar Square, Deluxe King Room
- Full-day Christchurch City and Wine Trails tour including lunch
- One-way small-group sightseeing experience from Christchurch to Queenstown via Mt Cook
- 4-nights Queenstown, QT Queenstown, QT Lakeview King
- Milford Sound Coach/Cruise/Fly including lunch
- Full-day Gourmet Food and Wine Tour including lunch
- One-way private transfer from Queenstown Hotel/Airport
- Breakfast daily
Note - The Coastal Pacific Train does not operate May 1 - August 31. During this period, an InterCity Coach will be utilized for the transfer from Picton to Christchurch.
Exclusions
- International Airfare
- New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) NZ$17 on free App or NZ$23 if completed online PLUS the IVL of NZ$100. Payable on application.
Map
Itinerary
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Day 1 – 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.
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Rydges Wellington
(Superior)
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Rydges Wellington
(Superior)
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Day 2 – 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.
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Rydges Wellington
(Superior)
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Rydges Wellington
(Superior)
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Day 3 – 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.
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Rydges Wellington
(Superior)
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Rydges Wellington
(Superior)
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Day 4 – Wellington to the Marlborough Sounds (B)
Transfer privately to the ferry terminal and board the ferry to Picton, travelling with access to the comfortable Pōhutukawa 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.
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Bay of Many Coves
(Deluxe)
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Bay of Many Coves
(Deluxe)
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Day 5 – 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.
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Bay of Many Coves
(Deluxe)
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Bay of Many Coves
(Deluxe)
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Day 6 – 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.
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Bay of Many Coves
(Deluxe)
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Bay of Many Coves
(Deluxe)
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Day 7 – 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 Kaikōura Ranges. On arrival in Christchurch, meet your private driver and transfer to your hotel for a two-night stay.
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Rydges Latimer Square
(Superior)
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Rydges Latimer Square
(Superior)
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Day 8 – 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.
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Rydges Latimer Square
(Superior)
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Rydges Latimer Square
(Superior)
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Day 9 – 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.
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QT Queenstown
(Deluxe)
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QT Queenstown
(Deluxe)
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Day 10 – 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.
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QT Queenstown
(Deluxe)
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QT Queenstown
(Deluxe)
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Day 11 – 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.
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QT Queenstown
(Deluxe)
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QT Queenstown
(Deluxe)
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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.
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QT Queenstown
(Deluxe)
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QT Queenstown
(Deluxe)
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Day 13 – 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.