Holiday Overview
Wine, wilderness & whales are three of the best experiences that you will encounter in New Zealand. This trip allows you to indulge in some crisp & fruity wines of the Marlborough Sounds wine region, all nestled within a rich network of sea sounds. As you travel south you will experience the wildlife and wilderness that the southern part of New Zealand has to offer. Giant Sperm Whales, Fur Seals and the sleek Dusky Dolphin are the some of the highlights in the small town of Kaikoura.
Start Wellington – End Christchurch
11 nights / 12 days
Islands visited: North and South Island
Highlights;
Explore Wellington, its Botanic Gardens and Carter Observatory
The extensive network of sea-drowned valleys of the Marlborough Sounds
Staggering choice of New Zealand’s best loved wineries
Witness the Giant Sperm Whales, Fur Seals and Dusky Dolphins of Kaikoura
Wilderness, Wine & Whales includes:
- Flights
- 2 nights accommodation Wellington
- 3 nights accommodation Marlborough Sounds
- 2 nights accommodation Blenheim
- 2 nights accommodation Kaikoura
- 2 nights accommodation Christchurch
- All intercity coaches
- Ferry ride (Wellington to Picton)
- All water taxis
- Marlborough Sounds wine tour
- Whale watching cruise
Day 1 - Wellington
Check into your chosen hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Featured accommodation
Intercontinental Wellington
Day 2 - Wellington
A full day of leisure to explore Wellington, perhaps take the cable car to the Mount Victoria lookout for a panoramic view of the city, make sure you visit Hannah’s Laneway, to sample some of the local gourmet produce.
Featured accommodation
Intercontinental Wellington
Day 3 - Wellington – Picton – Marlborough Sounds
Take the scenic ferry journey from Wellington to Picton, transfer to a lodge accessed by water taxi and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure
Featured accommodation
Furneaux Lodge
Day 4 - Marlborough Sounds
Spend a full day exploring this beautifully remote area, take a walk through some of the native bush or take a kayak out onto the still waters.
Featured accommodation
Furneaux Lodge
Day 5 - Marlborough Sounds
Spend a full day exploring this beautifully remote area, take a walk through some of the native bush or take a kayak out onto the still waters
Featured accommodation
Furneaux Lodge
Day 6 - Marlborough Sounds – Blenheim
Take a water taxi back to Picton and take the short coach ride to Blenheim, spend the rest of the day at leisure
Featured accommodation
Chateau Marlborough
Day 7 - Blenheim
Today take a wine tour to discover the full diversity of wine varieties this stunning region has to offer. You will visit approximately six or seven wineries and most of the time your guide can usually accommodate any requests you may have.
Featured accommodation
Chateau Marlborough
Day 8 - Blenheim – Kaikoura
Take the intercity coach from Blenheim to Kaikoura, spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Featured accommodation
White Morph
Day 9 - Kaikoura
Today enjoy a whale watching cruise. Every Whale Watch tour is a unique experience and the sightings vary. Giant Sperm Whales are the stars of the show and year-round residents. A typical Whale Watch tour may encounter New Zealand Fur Seals, pods of Dusky Dolphins and the endangered Wandering Albatross.
Featured accommodation
White Morph
Day 10 - Kaikoura – Christchurch
Take the intercity coach from Kaikoura to Christchurch, spend the rest of the day at leisure
Featured accommodation
BreakFree on Cashel
Day 11 - Christchurch
A full day at leisure to explore Christchurch
Featured accommodation
BreakFree on Cashel
Day 12 - Christchurch
Today your tour concludes in Christchurch
Intercontinental Wellington
Adjacent to Wellington’s waterfront, InterContinental Wellington is a global five-star hotel located in the heart of Wellington city. It is the seamless and personal service that makes InterContinental Wellington one of the best luxury hotels in Wellington. You will experience truly memorable moments and get the insider knowledge from the award-winning Concierge team, to help you discover the arts, events, shopping, and culinary culture. Discover the glamour, sophistication and unrivalled heritage that InterContinental Wellington has to offer
Furneaux Lodge, Marlborough Sounds
Located at the head of Endeavour Inlet in the beautiful Marlborough Sounds, Furneaux Lodge has a backdrop of native forest and lush rolling lawns right to the stunning green-blue water.
Chateau Marlborough
Chateau Marlborough offers luxury 5 star Blenheim hotel accommodation in the heart of one of New Zealand's most famous wine regions.
White Morph
Set on the Esplanade in Kaikoura, Heritage Collection The White Morph enjoys commanding views of the ocean and mountains, and gives you access to all of the region’s experiences.
BreakFree on Cashel
Christchurch has evolved as a true cultural hub, embracing its chance to become a city re-imagined. This Christchurch accommodation is located in the heart of the CBD near Manchester and Hereford Streets, from BreakFree on Cashel, you’re in the perfect location to stroll to trendy cafes, restaurants or bars on offer.
Image Gallery
Giant Sperm Whale - Kaikoura
Southern Alps
Grapes to Grain
Killer Whales Kaikoura
Lakes of South Island
Duck Pond- Wellington Botanic Gardens
South Alps
Marlborough Wine Regions
Alternative Holidays That May Interest You
Below you will find a small selection of 2024, 2025 holidays that may interest you. Remember, we tailor-make each holiday to your exact needs, so please call us on 0800 270 0009 and let one of our Holiday experts design the perfect trip for you
New Zealand Multi Centre Holidays 2024, 2025
New Zealand’s Best of Both Islands
- 13 Nights
- Auckland
- Rotorua
- Napier
- Wellington
- Abel Tasman
- Punakaiki
- Christchurch
New Zealand Multi Centre Holidays 2024, 2025
Wilderness, Wine & Whales
- 11 Nights
- Wellington
- Marlborough Sounds
- Blenheim
- Kaikoura
- Christchurch
Australia and New Zealand 2024, 2025
Natural Wonders of Australia & New Zealand
- 14 Nights
- Christchurch
- Lake Tekapo
- Queenstown
- Sydney
- Cairns
- Melbourne
Multi-Country Holidays
Ultimate Australia & New Zealand
- 21 Nights
- Melbourne
- Uluru (Ayers Rock)
- Alice Springs
- Cairns
- Sydney
- Queenstown
- Franz Josef
- Christchurch
- Rotorua
- Auckland
New Zealand Multi Centre Holidays 2024, 2025
New Zealand By Train
- 13 Nights
- Auckland
- Wellington
- Marlborough Sounds
- Blenheim
- Kaikoura
- Christchurch
New Zealand Multi Centre Holidays 2024, 2025
North Island’s Hot Spots
- 8 Nights
- Wellington
- Taupo
- Rotorua
- Auckland
New Zealand Multi Centre Holidays 2024, 2025
New Zealand Highlights
- 7 Nights
- Queenstown
- Christchurch
- Rotorua
- Auckland
New Zealand Multi Centre Holidays 2024, 2025
South Island’s Natural Wonders
- 9 Nights
- Christchurch
- Franz Josef
- Wanaka
- Queenstown
- Lake Tekapo
Australia Multi Centre Holidays 2024, 2025
Australia and New Zealand Combined
- 14 Nights
- Melbourne
- Auckland
- Wellington
- Queenstown
- Sydney
Australia Cruises 2024, 2025
Holland America Australia & New Zealand Cruise
- 15 Nights
- Auckland
- Rotorua
- Napier
- Picton
- Wellington
- Christchurch
- Dunedin
- Milford Sound
- Hobart
- Melbourne
- Sydney
Multi-Country Holidays
Shiraz to Sauvignon
- 14 Nights
- Adelaide
- Sydney
- Wellington
- Napier
- Rotorua
- Auckland