A 30 minute drive from downtown Auckland brings you to the Arataki Centre.
Here the sweeping decks give breathtaking panoramic views from the Tasman Sea to the Pacific Ocean. Absorb the local history and admire the magnificent traditional Maori carvings that stand guard there.
With your knowledgeable and experienced guide, your eco-tour continues with an easy walk in the lush rainforest where you hear native birdsong as you walk the easy bush tracks amongst New Zealand's famous kauri trees and giant tree ferns.
Head further west and experience the power of the wild and rugged west coast. Feel the soft, black sand beneath your feet as you stroll along some of the most awe-inspiring beaches the world has to offer.
If you are short on time, the half day guided walk is a great option. Both morning and afternoon walks are available, see the highlights and be back in Christchurch in time for lunch or dinner. You will be picked up by your guide, who will entertain you with the history of Christchurch on the 30 minute drive our to Sumner/Lyttelton where your walk will commence. Visit the Crater Rim surrounding the caldera of the ancient volcano.
Take in amazing views of the rugged Pacific coastline stretching across Pegasus Bay to the often snow covered Southern Alps, Lyttelton harbour and wide expanses of the Pacific Ocean. Total walking time is approximately 2.5 hours with a short break for morning / afternoon tea (included), before returning to Christchurch City.
Our top notch guided 1-day walk on Banks Peninsula, a spectacular extinct volcano within 30 minutes of Christchurch. This personal guided walk is for small groups of up to 10 people. We provide transportation from the City Centre, a hot drink at a local cafe, morning tea and lunch. You will be picked up by your guide, who will entertain you with the history of Christchurch on the 30 minute drive our to Sumner/Lyttelton where your walk will commence. Hot drinks are provided at a local cafe before setting off along the coastal track.
Visit the Crater Rim surrounding the caldera of the ancient volcano. Visit the newly restored WWII coastal defence battery, Scotts Hutt, and take in amazing views of the rugged Pacific coastline stretching across Pegasus Bay to the often snow covered Southern Alps, Lyttelton harbour and wide expanses of the Pacific Ocean. Picnic lunch is provided at a picturesque location along the way. Total walking time is approximately 3-4 hours with a 30 minute stop for lunch, and then you will return to Christchurch City.
A personal guided walking tour with some luxury in mind. Travel by private vehicle with your own guide, adapt the start time to suit, and take the day at your own pace. Enjoy an extra special lunch with a glass of NZ wine. Every detail has been thought of to ensure this day is a trip highlight! Included is your own private guide, transport in a luxury SUV, hot drinks, morning tea, lunch, along with a glass of NZ wine.
You will be picked from your accommodation by your guide in a private SUV, and entertained with the history of Christchurch on the 30 minute drive our to Sumner/Lyttelton where your walk will commence. Hot drinks are provided at a local cafe before setting off along the coastal track. Visit the Crater Rim surrounding the caldera of the ancient volcano.
Visit the newly restored WWII coastal defence battery, Scotts Hutt, and take in amazing views of the rugged Pacific coastline stretching across Pegasus Bay to the often snow covered Southern Alps, Lyttelton harbour and wide expanses of the Pacific Ocean.
A gourmet picnic lunch is provided at a picturesque location along the way. Total walking time is approximately 3-4 hours with a 30 minute stop for lunch, before returning to Christchurch City.
Visit four of Wellington and the Hutt Valley's best craft breweries with tastings at each location. Tour includes an in depth brewery tour led by brewery staff. Enjoy a range of locally made craft beers at each location and share in the passion these producers have for their products. The tour takes in four local craft breweries with tastings at each location. The itinerary and selected breweries vary with availability throughout the week but is open to requests.
The standard itinerary includes an iconic central Wellington downtown brewery, a hidden gem in Lower Hutt and a visit to Brewtown Upper Hutt, a beer-lovers dream with numerous craft breweries serving up award-winning craft beer.
The tour finishes at a central Wellington brewery stop with tastings and allows guests to carry on with other accessible local options nearby or a return drop off to selected centrally located Wellington hotels or the drop off point at Wellington i-SITE Tour Pick Up Zone.
The tour starts from the Tour Pick Up Zone in central Wellington. The tour takes in four local craft breweries with tastings at each location. The itinerary and selected breweries vary with availability throughout the week but is open to requests. The itinerary always includes an iconic central Wellington downtown brewery, a hidden gem in Lower Hutt and a visit to Brew town Upper Hutt, a beer-lovers dream with numerous craft breweries serving up award-winning craft beer.
The tour starts with a drive along the Wellington Waterfront and up Mt Victoria to the Mt Victoria Lookout for stunning 360 degree views of Wellington city and it's picturesque harbour. Take a scenic coastal drive around Oriental Bay and Evans Bay Parades and take a look at the variety of private cable cars perched precariously on the hillside. Make a brief stop at the iconic Wellington Blown Away sign before a visit to the famous Weta Cave Shop, the hub of Weta Studio Tours in Miramar, Wellington. It's not just a retail store: it's a cavern of creativity. At the Weta Cave you can snap a selfie with the life-sized sculptures, wander through the mini museum, and watch the exclusive documentary. It's a movie lover's paradise. The coastal theme continues with a drive along scenic Shelly Bay and around the Miramar Peninsula including a lunch stop at a seaside cafe or restaurant (mains and a drink included).
The tour takes on a sombre tone with a short stop at the Wahine Memorial Park before you explore the south Wellington coast, Taputarenga Marine Reserve and Te Kopahou Reserve Visitors Centre.
The tour returns to the city via the Brooklyn Wind Turbine with it's unbeatable city views before a return to the city proper with downtown sights including an optional ride in the famous Wellington Cable Car (tickets not included) and a look at the Lady Norwood Rose Gardens via a walk through the Botanical Gardens. The final tour destination is Old St. Paul's Cathedral and its impressive stained glass windows. Explore the native hardwood timber cathedral which dates back to 1856. A drop off service completes the tour.
Enjoy a 5 hour guided tour over the Remutaka Ranges to Martinborough, one of New Zealand's premier wine regions. Sample locally made cheeses before a visit to three of the region's best wineries to enjoy their Cellar Door experiences and sample their world class products. Your driver guide will narrate your journey and provide local knowledge about this stunningly beautiful area. You will depart Wellington and follow the Hutt River along the Hutt Valley and over the Remutaka Ranges with a sightseeing stop at the Summit. Enjoy locally produced cheeses at C'est Cheese before arriving in the wine region of Martinborough. Here you will visit three of the region's best wineries where cellar door staff will introduce a variety of their wines which you may sample at your discret.
Half day foodie experience in the wonderful Wairarapa. Enjoy a 5 hour return guided tour over the spectacular Remutaka Ranges to the Wairarapa region, home of world class culinary producers.
The Wairarapa is an hour's drive north east of Wellington over the spectacular Remutaka Ranges. The drive includes a sightseeing stop at the 555m high Summit for amazing views.The first foodie stop on the other side of the mountain range is at C'est Cheese artisan deli where the tour will include a tasting platter of locally made cheeses. Next we continue up State Highway 2 to Greytown for a tasting of some of chocolatier Murray Langham's amazing chocolate range at Schoc Chocolates. Our third stop is in the world class wine region of Martinborough famous for its pinot noir. Enjoy a tasting flight at one of the finest local wineries.
The final stop is at the Martinborough Memorial Square in the centre of town and allows for guests to tailor the tour for their own tastes. Guests may choose one final tasting stop from Olivo extra virgin and infused olive oils, Martinborough craft brewery paddles, a local vineyard or cafe lunch (vegetarian options available), The Martinborough Sweet Shop or the Wine Bank. This final stop is seasonal, subject to availability and at the guests expense. The tour then returns via the Remutaka Incline back to Wellington city centre.
Discover the locally made treats and secret foodie spots in Petone, one of the oldest settlements in Wellington. This 5-hour tour gives your taste buds a thrilling journey through the history and produce of local food and beverage artisans and importers. Get an exclusive behind the scenes look at a local specialty coffee roastery, taste freshly made cheeses, sample local craft beers, visit a chocolatier and have a tasting platter at an Italian restaurant and cafe. A different tasting experience at every location.
The tour starts with a coastal drive around the western edge of Wellington Harbour, heading for the historical foreshore town of Petone. Your first visit is to a specialty coffee roastery on the Petone foreshore where you will learn it's fascinating history and the trace the amazing journey of it's coffee beans from shrub to cup! Take part in a coffee roast and hear the beans crack under intense heat as the aroma of the roasted beans fills the room. Challenge your taste buds in a cupping session and match the coffees to the tasting notes before sitting back enjoying a famous flat white (or coffee of your choice)!
Next stop is Zany Zeus dairy and cheese factory where you will sample a range of cheeses, yogurts and organic ice cream including a smoked yogurt - the first 'yogurt' of its kind available in New Zealand.
Your next encounter takes you to a little bit of Parma, Italy in New Zealand as you are a guest at La Bella Italia and your host Antonio Cacace. Here you will try a freshly prepared Italian classic which varies daily! Vegetarian options are available.
The next stop is for the sweet of tooth as you call in on the resident chocolatier for a tasting and chocolate making lesson! Through utilizing French and European inspired recipes, then adapting them to locally sourced New Zealand products, the chocolatier blends in premium chocolates such as the world famous Valrhona Couverture Chocolate to produce chocolates you will love.
Our final stop is a visit to a local craft brewery for a tasting of their range of locally produced craft beer. The tour is complete with a drop off back to Wellington.
Taste the bountiful produce of the Wairarapa region on this full-day tour. In a comfortable vehicle, enjoy a scenic drive over the Remutaka Ranges before tantalising your taste buds with tastings at FIVE of our Tasting Partners. Visit some of the oldest vines in the region and see the winemaking process - all while tasting Martinborough's fine wines, as well as visits to Olivo for an extra virgin and infused olive oil tasting, Martinborough Brewery craft beer paddles and a cheese experience with C'est Cheese topped off by a vineyard restaurant lunch.
Please note specific activity partners may differ from advertised as they are subject to availability.
Enjoy a scenic drive over the Remutaka Ranges including a short stop at the summit before descending into the stunning Wairarapa region.
The first tasting stop is at C'est Cheese in Featherston for a range of fantastic local and imported cheeses and gourmet foods. Next, we explore the heart of Martinborough - winemaking. Visit some of the oldest vines in the region and enjoy a winemaker-led vineyard walk learning about the vines as you go before lunch(Vegetarian options available) is served in amongst the vines. Try a range of locally produced world class wines in this spectacular setting.
Our next tasting stop allows you to wander amongst the oldest olive trees in Martinborough, learning about the different olive varieties and what happens throughout the olive tree's year. In the tasting room, you'll learn how to taste olive oil like a pro, and how to use extra virgin olive oil and the full range of infused oils in quick, easy and spectacular recipes.
Fourth stop is a craft beer tasting paddle at Martinborough Brewery. These paddles consist of your choice of any 4 of the 8 tap beers. On Tuesdays and Wednesdays, craft beer tasting occurs just around the corner at the historic Martinborough Hotel.
Our final tasting experience takes in the amazing products at Schoc chocolates in Greytown where you can try some of their amazing new choc creations!
