New Zealand has long been famed for its stunning, unspoiled landscape. Equal to the international acclaim for its beauty is that for its fine wines. Climate, geography and human skill have combined to produce highly distinctive, premium quality and exclusive wines, which are 'the riches of a clean, green land.' International acclaim New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc is rated throughout the world as the definitive benchmark style for this varietal. The growing recognition for New Zealand Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Méthode Traditionelle sparkling wines, Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot blends is helping to further cement New Zealand's position as a producer of world class wines. Wine Tours New Zealand
All tours are private, depart daily, and can be customized to suit individual interests and schedules. Please contact us at info@arohatours.co.nz or 0064-21-890611 for more information about our Luxury New Zealand tours. Our Vehicles Travel Guide Profiles
Day 1: Auckland arrival-Ferry to Waiheke Island (Day for relaxing)
You will be met on arrival at Auckland International Airport by your Aroha NZ Tours Representative, and transferred to the harbour, where you will take a ferry to Waiheke Island, once there your host will collect you to take you to your accommodation. The Island is renowned for its diversions from city life. Island life means beaches, arts and crafts shops, cafés/restaurants, world-renowned vineyards and olive-groves. Accommodation: Waiheke Island
Day 2: Waiheke Island (White sand beaches, Winery tour and local sea food)
We have organized today a private wine-tour to the Island's most respected vineyards. A “small is beautiful” philosophy” yields low quantities of extremely high quality fruit, which is made into internationally award-winning wines. With tastings at our best boutique wineries, the secrets of Waiheke's stunning world-wide success in fine red wines will be revealed to the interested visitor. You'll come away with a deep appreciation of the vintner’s art and an understanding of the terrier, the weather and the tides of tradition which make up this art. You'll learn which are the vintages to look out for and be able to purchase the best for your cellar direct from the vineyards. A typical day tour would include a visit to 3 vineyards followed with lunch at a fourth vineyard. Accommodation: Waiheke Island
Day 3: Auckland - Bay of Plenty/Rotorua (Agrodome and Geothermal Pools at Hells Gate) driving distance 3h
As you depart Auckland your tour will take you through the eastern North Island region of the Bay of Plenty, an area with a consistent mild climate level which is ideal for farming, the Bay of Plenty is also famous for its fruit crops and vineyards. Your tour arrives in the geothermal capital of Rotorua in the midday. First join others at the world famous Agrodome Sheep show. During the show the audience will see nineteen sheep breeds introduced onto the stage, the art of sheep shearing, sheepdog demonstrations, cow milking, bottle feed lambs and an exciting sheep auction. The unique geothermal muds and waters of Rotorua are renown for their curative and invigorating properties—and this is particularly so at “Hells Gate” - Rotorua’s most active thermal park. Her you can enjoy a relaxing spa or swim in the mud pools. Take a rejuvenation massage or facial provided by local Maoris in their traditional Miri Miri way. (Optional and extra charge) Accommodation: Rotorua
Day 4: Rotorua–Taupo–Hawkes Bay (Float plane ride, Geothermal area, Art deco Town) driving distance 3h
A driver will take you to the lakefront of Rotorua. From there take a floatplane over the Crater Lakes District and the volcanic rift of Mt. Tarawera. Continue south via Waimangu and Waiotapu Thermal Areas to land at the Hidden Valley of Orakei Korako. Transfer by boat across the lake to explore the bubbling hot springs, gushing geysers and natural beauty of this hidden geothermal wonderland. On return you take a Jet boat ride on the largest river in the country the Waikato. Enjoy a scenic drive through lush farmland passing boiling Mud pools. Your private driver will await you and take you to Lake Taupo, the largest Lake in this country. On the way we back we stop at the Huka Falls - these spectacular falls roar through a 15-m wide chasm before plunging a further 11-m. For lunch we walk the shores of Lake Taupo. In the afternoon we reach Hawkes Bay on te East Coast. Napier today is known for the inner city’s Art Deco Architecture, which was created after a devastating earthquake in 1931. Accommodation: Hawkes Bay
Day 5: Hawkes Bay (Wine tour, Gannet colonies)
Hawkes Bay is fast gaining prominence as a region producing premium wines. The region has a fascinating spread of microclimates and soil types idea for selected grape varieties. Grape growing began in Hawkes Bay in 1851 and perhaps only now are the unique qualities of this regions wines achieving worldwide recognition. New Zealand’s second largest wine region, Hawkes Bay has been producing wines for 100 years. The climate in Hawkes Bay varies considerably as do the soils. This provides the opportunity to grow a range of varietals and in doing so produce a stunning range of wines. Enjoy a relaxing lunch at one of the famous wineries. In the afternoon join a guided tour at "The Cape Kidnapper Gannet Reserve" which is rare in ornithological circles as it contains the largest and most accessible mainland gannet colony in the world. By this very rarity, you will visit the reserve and experience for themselves the gannets in their natural environment. Accommodation: Hawkes Bay
Day 6: Hawkes Bay-Wellington (Capital of NZ, Te Papa museum) driving distance 4h
As you depart the Hawkes Bay your tour takes you through the Norwegian and Danish settlements of Norsewood and Dannevirke into the rural regions of the Manawatu, before encroaching on New Zealand’s capital city, Wellington. Spend the afternoon strolling around the many shops and galleries the city has to offer. Visit the “Te Papa History Museum”, the largest natural history museum in the country, another suggested visit is the “Embassy Theatre” which recently hosted the world premier of the third Lord Of The Rings trilogy” The Return of the Kings”, climb aboard the famous Wellington Cable Car which takes you up the steep terraced divide to the luxuriant Botanic Gardens which allows you an overall 360 degree view of Wellington city. If you wish visit the New Zealand’s Parliament Buildings, where you can take a 1-hour tour of the hub of New Zealand’s political arena, as you depart the beautiful government grounds be prepared to stop and watch the buzz around “The Beehive”. Accommodation: Wellington City
Day 7: Wellington-Marlborough Sounds (Ferry through Sounds, Water Taxi)
We board a ferry to cross the Cook Strait encounter a glorious world as the ferry enters the Marlborough Sounds, from the Tory Channel into the Queen Charlotte Sound. You will discover a region of myriad inlets and bay's with dramatic hills that plunge steeply into the sea. The steep, wooded hills and small quiet bays of the sounds are sparsely populated, as access is difficult. Many of the small settlements and isolated houses are only accessible by boat. The main large port is Picton on the mainland, at the head of Queen Charlotte Sound. The Queen Charlotte Track runs almost the entire length of New Zealand's Queen Charlotte Sound. From here we travel with a water taxi to a small unique remote beach in the Marlborough Sounds. Here you can go sea fishing on a small local boat with a personal fishing guide. Enjoy an evening meal and a local wine at your accommodation. (Optional and extra charge). Accommodation: Marlborough Sounds
Day 8: Marlborough (Wine tour)
A water taxi will take you back to Picton. Just half an hour south of Picton lies Blenheim which is today one of New Zealand’s most important wine-producing areas. Marlborough is New Zealand’s largest wine growing region. It has an enviable international reputation for producing the best Sauvignon Blanc in the world. It also makes very good Chardonnay and Riesling and is fast developing a reputation for high quality Pinot Noir. Of the region's ten thousand hectares of grapes (almost half the national crop) one third are planted in Sauvignon Blanc. Lots of sun, cool nights, low autumn rains and free draining alluvial soils combine to make Marlborough one of the world’s great wine producing regions. Sample the world famous Sauvignon Blanc and enjoy a gourmet lunch at one of the many renown restaurants. Accommodation: Marlborough Sounds
Day 9: Marlborough Sounds–Canterbury (Seal colony, Whale-watch or swim with Dolphins) driving distance 2h
Canterbury is a marriage of mountain and sea, linked by snow-fed rivers that cut braided courses across the plain. Towns, small and large are splitter in this very futile region. The plain is the largest area of flat land in New Zealand. Canterbury lamb, bred for mead and wool is regarded as the countries best. The province also encompasses New Zealand’s highest mountains. Before midday we reach the small seaside town of Kaikoura which is nestled on a rugged peninsula on the East Coast and is backed by the breathtaking Seaward Kaikoura Ranges. A spectacular marine playground exists off the coast of Kaikoura; - living in this environment is the mighty Sperm Whale. A spectacular marine playground exists off the coast of Kaikoura; - living in this environment is the mighty Sperm Whale. Fur seals, once almost hunted to extinction are now plentiful here, resting on warm rocks after a nights fishing. Walk among these creatures at this unique beach and watch our native Seabirds, also enjoying the rich sea harvest. In the late afternoon join a whale watching cruise at the beautiful coastline of the South Island. (This excursion is subject to weather and lighting conditions).
Accommodation: Kaikoura
Day 10: Kaikoura–Lake Tekapo driving distance 5h
Speckled with small agricultural outposts, the Canterbury Plains are an area of serene, rural beauty. To the east lie the coastal climes of Timaru while, to the west, Mackenzie Country accounts for a large percent of New Zealand’s sheep population. We travel into deep into the heart of the Southern Alps and to the southern slopes of Mt Cook National Park. We overnight in the small township of Lake Tekapo. You will encounter an array of spectacular mountain ranges including Mt Cook, the highest mountain in New Zealand, which peaks at some 3700 meters. The Lake Tekapo and Lake Pukaki shine all year round in a beautiful turquoise colours, and reflects the surrounding mountains. Relax at this mystical, tranquil place and take a stroll along the lake’s shores. Accommodation: Mt Cook area
Day 11: Mt Cook area–Queenstown (private wine tour/tasting) driving distance 3h
In the morning we pass “The Lord of the Rings” misty mountains plus the pelennor fields and cross one of New Zealand’s best-kept secrets, the”Lindis Pass". Our trip will take us through some of the most evocative hill county in New Zealand into our destination in Central Otago. Central Otago is New Zealand’s fastest-growing wine region and also it’s most scenic. Take the time to explore these incredible vineyards set in small micro-climates in a landscape dominated by high snow-capped mountains, and tussock clad slopes. Travel to Cromwell and Bannockburn, the heart of Pinot Noir country, and depending on your personal tastes, we will guide you to a selection of boutique wineries. At some stage of the wine tour we will suggest a stop for a relaxing lunch at a private boutique winery, where you will be joined by one of the local winemakers for expert advice on winemaking. Afterwards visit the surrounding areas of Arthur's Point it's, and then its on to Coronet Peak for more spectacular views of Queenstown. Your next stop is in Arrowtown, a historic colonial village that takes you back to the Gold Mining days of the Otago region. Accommodation: Queenstown area
Day 12: Queenstown-trip to Fiordland National Park (Scenic flight/ cruise to/in Milford Sounds)
You taking a flight/cruise excursion into the Milford Sound. You are heading for the spectacular Milford Sound, described by Rudyard Kipling as the ‘eighth wonder of the world” which was carved out during successive ice ages and, at its deepest point off Mitre Peak, plunges to a depth of 265 meters. The awesome splendour of this region is unsurpassed anywhere else in the World, a daring claim in a country which offers extraordinary beauty around every corner. Fly from Queenstown to magnificent Milford Sound and enjoy a spectacular view of the mountains, lakes and fiords of the Fiordland National Park. At Milford Sound your launch cruise travels the full length of Milford Sound. Return to Queenstown via the famous Sutherland Falls and glaciers of the Fiordland National Park. Here we can also arrange a helicopter flight to Milford Sounds, which does not include a cruise – (Optional and extra charge). Accommodation: Queenstown
Day 13: Queenstown (Day for relaxing)
Queenstown is the top adventure and activity centre in New Zealand. Most of the cast of the Lord of the Rings were based here and major parts of the movie where filmed in this region. Because they are so many things to do in Queenstown, to cater to your diverse interests, we have left the afternoon free for you to pick and choose whatever optional activities you desire. Your guide can arrange and advise you on all the options, if you a thrill seeker and you want to go skydiving or if you just like to walk beautiful treks. Accommodation: Queenstown
Day 14: Queenstown Departure
Your driver picks you up from your accommodation and transfers you to your departing flight at the international airport in Queenstown.