9 Day North Island Food & Wine

Arrive into Auckland and once you have cleared Customs go to the Thrifty car hire desk in the arrivals area to complete your rental agreement and collect your car hire keys. Drive into Auckland city for you first 2-night stay.

This morning make your way down to the ferry terminal to check in for your ferry crossing over to Waiheke island.  The ferry ride across to the island is about 30 mins and once on the island you will be greeted by your Ananda tour driver and escorted to a number of stunning wineries that call Waiheke Island home.  You will visit three of Waiheke’s top vineyards and sample a range of their wines. Along the way enjoy a commentated scenic drive, learning about the Island’s history, geography, people and culture from your knowledgeable local guide. After your wine tasting experience sit back, relax and enjoy a lunch and a glass of Waiheke wine or beer at Three Seven Two (Best Destination Restaurant, Metro Peugeot Restaurant of the Year Awards 2019) on Onetangi beach before heading back to the ferry terminal for your trip back to Auckland.

Today you begin your journey south to the city of Rotorua. On the way you’ll stop in at the Shires Rest, only 10 minutes from the town of Matamata. Here you will experience the wonder of the Hobbiton Movie Set tour. After the tour enjoy some lunch at Shires Rest café (additional expense) before continuing down to Rotorua.

Rotorua is known for its geothermal wonders and Maori culture. You are spoilt for choice with the range of sightseeing activities that are on offer and we can help tailor additional sightseeing to meet your interests.

We have included a visit to Polynesian Spa with a 30 minute Skyview Private Pool. The Skyview Private pools have an open roof for spectacular sky views.

You have a free day in Rotorua to explore the many attractions and activities that are on offer. For a different perspective of Rotorua, we suggest you visit Skyline Rotorua which offers panoramic views of Rotorua City, Lake Rotorua and the surrounding area. Relax with a glass of wine, something to eat and soak up the view.

This evening enjoy a first-class Maori feast – Feeding guests is regarded by Maori as an honour and a sign of a tribe’s mana (standing), so a sumptuous banquet is provided during the evening. This banquet combines contemporary cuisine with a traditional hangi (earth-cooked oven meal), where kai (food) is steam-cooked by hot rocks in the earth, giving it a delicious smokey flavour.

Enjoy the illuminated thermal valley and following dessert, you will be transported by our ‘people movers’ to enjoy the spectacular lighting of the Te Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley. Wander around the illuminated natural attractions, including their world famous Pohutu geyser, while enjoying more Maori-inspired delicacies and a hot drink.

Napier is the next destination on your itinerary. Heading via Taupo to the East Coast you’ll arrive in the Art Deco city of Napier.  Take a stroll through town and discover the history of this cute seaside town.

A complete action-packed taste of what Hawke’s Bay has to offer. You will join the team at Odyssey Wine Tours and start the day with an exclusive barrel sampling, learn about wine etiquette and tasting technique. Enjoy behind the scenes tour of NZ’s famous Church Rd winery and NZ’s only wine museum, then on to the country’s oldest winery, the Mission Estate, for a wine tasting & meal accompanied by matching wine at one of NZ’s top restaurants. This is a must do while in Napier.

Your journey continues south towards Wellington, the capital city. The harbour city is your home for the next 2 nights. Venture into Courtney place and Cuba Street to see the best what restaurants and bars Wellington has to offer.

Today you will join Zozo Travel on a half day Craft Brewery tour. Visit four of Wellington and the Hutt Valley’s best craft breweries with tastings of their amazing products at each location. The tour includes a tipple at award-winning Kereru Brewery including brewery tour, a tasting paddle at Panhead Brewery in Brewtown, a stop at Baylands Brewery in Petone for a tasting and finally, you’ll visit the inimitable, Tuatara Brewery Temple of Taste.

Your North Island trip comes to an end after you check out of your accommodation.  Drive to the airport to return your car hire and check in for your flight home.