At TravelEssence, we specialise in crafting custom-made holidays that take you off the beaten path and create memories to last a lifetime. We believe in connecting with the heart and soul of a place, introducing you to the locals who call it home. Engage in conversations with fascinating individuals who will share their stories, traditions, and way of life, leaving an indelible mark on your journey.
Would you like to sample New Zealand’s outstanding culinary delights whilst being surrounded by pristine nature? This trip is perfect for you. Travel through the country’s most astounding landscapes, capturing the essence of the local food and wine scene. The perfect blend of nature, food and wine.
Quick facts about this sample itinerary
- This itinerary will be customised to suit your individual wishes
- Best travel time is between October - November & March - April
- Relaxed travel pace with 2-3 nights at each location
- The average drive between each accommodation is 3-4 hours
- Stay with locals at 9 locations, away from the crowds
- Choose from a diverse mix of activities with locals
- Domestic flight from Christchurch to Queenstown
- Collect your rental car in Queenstown and return in Auckland
- Ferry crossing - Picton to Wellington
Below, you can discover our suggested locations. Feel free to adjust your comfort level, add activity packages along the route, and indicate whether you would like us to arrange your flights. The price indication is based on travel in high season, so shoulder season travel will often give you a price advantage.
Route and Impressions
![new-zealand](/img/maps/map-new-zealand-fc.png)
![Taste the locally baked goods](https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/General-activities/img6861.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=750&q=80&w=1000&s=6040cc23061ff0d00a1aa3c29a51de46 1000w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/General-activities/img6861.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=600&q=80&w=800&s=81582488aa56839552221705a7ae9675 800w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/General-activities/img6861.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=450&q=80&w=600&s=f0e528f765af46e8bfffc3c66002350c 600w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/General-activities/img6861.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=300&q=80&w=400&s=2621602fd947e12b5075cfbe61e9ddf8 400w)
![Don't miss out on a picture-perfect moment at The Church of the Good Shepherd](https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/discoverpage/nz-lake-tekapo-church-lake-discoverpage-regions.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=750&q=80&w=1000&s=f1cc1c859995c002a27e63c703ee293f 1000w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/discoverpage/nz-lake-tekapo-church-lake-discoverpage-regions.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=600&q=80&w=800&s=25b5550e1f183b8fc06e70f251de2e97 800w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/discoverpage/nz-lake-tekapo-church-lake-discoverpage-regions.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=450&q=80&w=600&s=43b3c4220312eec4db5572c03b414e64 600w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/discoverpage/nz-lake-tekapo-church-lake-discoverpage-regions.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=300&q=80&w=400&s=55fe9610cd2d09621fac0f4945bd0b3b 400w)
![Hop from vineyard to vineyard in the Waipara Valley](https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/example-itinerary/nz-waipara-valley-greystone-purepods-itinerary.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=750&q=80&w=1000&s=f6f96b4d72f1bdf3c6229901914f5ee5 1000w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/example-itinerary/nz-waipara-valley-greystone-purepods-itinerary.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=600&q=80&w=800&s=fae59f82e4fa9cce30fbb0b94e597559 800w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/example-itinerary/nz-waipara-valley-greystone-purepods-itinerary.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=450&q=80&w=600&s=434b0279a24ed98482cdd99217cb7e95 600w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/example-itinerary/nz-waipara-valley-greystone-purepods-itinerary.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=300&q=80&w=400&s=f729579422be707f5635481ced3dfe0d 400w)
![Savour locally caught produce](https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/general/Food-Marlborough.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=750&q=80&w=1000&s=64cd42ada94e06edcd7389ae30f328fc 1000w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/general/Food-Marlborough.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=600&q=80&w=800&s=2fa8db040e97c6a01a44104c43aa4529 800w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/general/Food-Marlborough.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=450&q=80&w=600&s=11cbf179aa2213fb307b4dab67edb240 600w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/general/Food-Marlborough.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=300&q=80&w=400&s=abdaf3d6e8450a7938ae36495bc17fc8 400w)
![Savour Wellington city's assortment of culinary delights](https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/General-activities/5466_Zest_Food_Tours_1587533043_MW_platter_Byrne_CR_ZEST.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=750&q=80&w=1000&s=25a30e8fc5ce26f1febeee345bec1b86 1000w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/General-activities/5466_Zest_Food_Tours_1587533043_MW_platter_Byrne_CR_ZEST.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=600&q=80&w=800&s=5b49b512d4196029a91f52023dc4e0b4 800w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/General-activities/5466_Zest_Food_Tours_1587533043_MW_platter_Byrne_CR_ZEST.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=450&q=80&w=600&s=2829460728ee623e291b7b5ebdc27c2f 600w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/General-activities/5466_Zest_Food_Tours_1587533043_MW_platter_Byrne_CR_ZEST.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=300&q=80&w=400&s=fe0b10c935bdfbdd66246c955da63a21 400w)
![Wake up to homemade breakfast](https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/general/4878_Ashcroft_Gardens_Bed_Breakfast_1526420979_Ashcroft_BB_Photos0103-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=750&q=80&w=1000&s=effee3e3cf19150d17546b2bad34805d 1000w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/general/4878_Ashcroft_Gardens_Bed_Breakfast_1526420979_Ashcroft_BB_Photos0103-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=600&q=80&w=800&s=3b340e5c01ad6e2e0a6e452c4c9afdc5 800w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/general/4878_Ashcroft_Gardens_Bed_Breakfast_1526420979_Ashcroft_BB_Photos0103-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=450&q=80&w=600&s=9e9b76752bf9a8b64de16c85dc6fc9c0 600w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/general/4878_Ashcroft_Gardens_Bed_Breakfast_1526420979_Ashcroft_BB_Photos0103-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=300&q=80&w=400&s=299405fa577a1ba9ddd739abdd0367ae 400w)
![Experience a traditional 'hangi'](https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/blog/13-Laying-hangi.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=750&q=80&w=1000&s=ef58db11979afa8667112ee0110139f6 1000w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/blog/13-Laying-hangi.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=600&q=80&w=800&s=3d2a396e35dd9b4c6020ef19f93c1604 800w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/blog/13-Laying-hangi.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=450&q=80&w=600&s=2cf18be6298250f8313eea9a20e0c7a8 600w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/blog/13-Laying-hangi.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=300&q=80&w=400&s=910bdef594f4f6cbc80035f950bad6ec 400w)
![Visit the Matakana Village Farmers Market](https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/solo/besttime/nz-matakana-farmers-market-solo-best-travel-time.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=750&q=80&w=1000&s=b99c90aeb6e782823c5edd2208491d24 1000w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/solo/besttime/nz-matakana-farmers-market-solo-best-travel-time.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=600&q=80&w=800&s=79088183875adb8ea2e7c38225fefd88 800w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/solo/besttime/nz-matakana-farmers-market-solo-best-travel-time.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=450&q=80&w=600&s=1a1924e7a3774f10fd2da0f72209dd22 600w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/solo/besttime/nz-matakana-farmers-market-solo-best-travel-time.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=300&q=80&w=400&s=4c5fc3fe37642edb966df487e67e5dbe 400w)
![Taste the local coffee culture](https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/General-activities/5466_Zest_Food_Tours_1587533219_FF_window_small_CR_FF.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=750&q=80&w=1000&s=cf985337c00bc986859bde25f5e21d04 1000w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/General-activities/5466_Zest_Food_Tours_1587533219_FF_window_small_CR_FF.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=600&q=80&w=800&s=07e1c63d5f26a33ba569a640e168b91b 800w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/General-activities/5466_Zest_Food_Tours_1587533219_FF_window_small_CR_FF.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=450&q=80&w=600&s=fe57f612afe2b48fbffb7e4be8abee8a 600w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/General-activities/5466_Zest_Food_Tours_1587533219_FF_window_small_CR_FF.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=300&q=80&w=400&s=58a4d3a7403fbaed0623b98eea8f1b44 400w)
Price guide per person
and car change
During shoulder season you can enjoy significant price savings. Talk to a specialist now on 020 36 95 95 69
More sample itineraries
Ready for the holiday of a lifetime?
Discover a world beyond ordinary
At TravelEssence, we specialise in crafting custom-made holidays that take you off the beaten path and create memories to last a lifetime. We believe in connecting with the heart and soul of a place, introducing you to the locals who call it home. Engage in conversations with fascinating individuals who will share their stories, traditions, and way of life, leaving an indelible mark on your journey.
Contact us
Questions? Speak to one of our specialists by phone Mon - Sat 0900 until 2100. You can discuss your travel plans in detail where and when it suits you, also in the evenings and on weekends on a no obligation basis.