What to see and where to go day trips
Wine trails, scenery, good food and boutique family owned vineyards is New Zealand in a wine glass and on a plate. The favourite pastime has a plethora of wine regions to choose from. Unusually proximity to events and attractions wins out in making the choice where to go and what to do for many visitors. To help with the choosing your wine trail destination here are six holiday inspirations with lots of ideas what to do nearby.
- NELSON – CYCLE THE GREAT TASTE TRAIL
Nelson offers sunshine in a bottle, sunshine creating the perfect beach getaway and the chance to stretch the legs on the Great Taste trail. Check out the route with plenty of eateries, breweries and wineries to tempt the palate along the way. The route starts at Tahunanui Beach (Nelson Airport). Sunshine is a metaphor for Nelson and even if there is a nip in the air it is not bone chilling. The cycling trail passes over boardwalks along the edge of the Waimea Estuary, where birds are plentiful, including the white heron. The trail then crosses to Rabbit Island, where you can catch the Mapua Ferry with your bikes on board and take a trip to Mapua Wharf. The cycle route then continues north-west from Mapua to Motueka, known for its award winning wineries with the detour option of expanding the trip to Kaiteriteri, the gateway to the Abel Tasman National Park.
This is an easy cycling trail with a gentle incline (excluding Kaiteriteri) passing farmland, orchards, vineyards, breweries, farm gates laden with fresh bounty and a cafe to rest and revive. The route is part of the Tasman’s Great Taste Trail and is one of New Zealand’s Great Rides.
The route includes Selfrieds Estate vineyard … Read more Cycling / Road trip extended weekend in Nelson
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To avoid lugging purchases budget for courier fees to your accommodation or location within New Zealand. Check beforehand if your favourite tipple has online ordering. That makes the holiday a breeze.
- GIBBSTON VALLEY OF THE VINES
What a way to start your day trip from Queenstown or Arrowtown AJ Hacket and bungey jumping… Gibbston is approximately ½ hour drive time from Queenstown and on Arrowtown’s doorstep. Convenient and, if cool climate wines and Pinot Noir is your thing you have twelve vineyards to check out. The Valley of the Wines is remarkable. The valley is narrow and sandwiched between mountain ranges, jagged rocky Kawarau River gorge and pockets of flat land. The valley is impressive with the vines steadily marching up the valley floor and the sides of the mountains. There are approximately 250 hectares of vines clinging to the steep slopes… Read more Queenstown / Arrowtown day trip wine & cycle trail
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Remember to drink plenty of water, eat to absorb the alcohol and avoid spoiling the holiday with drunken behavior. You are visiting viticulturalists homes and places of work.
- GISBORNE WINE TRAILS
Hot long sunshine summer hours, fertile soils and Gisborne. The recipe for award winning vineyards and wineries from exceptional Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, Viognier, Pinot Gris, Merlot and Malbec. Gisborne beguiles the senses with the strong cultural connections to Maori culture, local passionate feelings about their place and the pride in showing visitors what makes Gisborne tick. The pride is infectious with visitors becoming guests and friends. For New Zealanders it is an echo of a time when New Zealand was a place of small towns and communities. For overseas visitors it is a harking back to old fashioned hospitality and having a good time in a friend’s place. The wine trail is a great place to start the journey making new friends and discovering a jewel of a wine region, Gisborne… Read more Gisborne wine trail best tips where to go and getting around
- NORTH CANTERBURY, HURUNUI WINE REGION
Wine, food and a heritage train to ride. North Canterbury Waipara Valley and district is a foodie delight. A feast awaits with growers offering truffles, organic olive oil and the long lunch. Meals are elevated into cuisine with outstanding fare, a great reason to visit North Canterbury.
The long lunch, the languid ad fresco feast, complete with award winning wine is heaven under a magical rural backdrop. Cycle, walk or join a tour of the Waipara Valley, blow the cobwebs away on a jet boat, find a bargain at the second hand / vintage stores and browse a well regarded weekend market. And what to stay awhile, check out the accommodation options within the vines. You might not ever leave.
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Cycling is a great way to explore the area, make the journey one way with a pick up at the proposed final stop.
- NAPIER, HAWKE’S BAY WINE TRAILS
Savour some of Hawke’s Bay’s internationally renowned wines and take in the stunning views along the way. Take a guided wine tour or download the Wine Trail Map and plan. If you don’t feel as though you have enough time that happens to lots of visitors simply extend your stay in Napier and mull over a return visit.
Pack a delicious deli lunch organised by your accommodation, pop out to the local nearby deli or simply wing it with the prospect of tempting treats along the way. Remember to pack reserves of water, sunscreen and clothing layers. The Hawkes Bay with its temperate climate is a year round day trip however check with wineries opening hours in the winter season… Read more Napier wine tour day trip, things to see — travel guide
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A wine tour is ‘let someone else take care of the pesky details’ is often favoured. Get a group together to customise your tour. Minimum numbers are between 4 – 6 people.
- CROMWELL – BANNOCKBURN WINE TRAILS – CENTRAL OTAGO
Get out, meet and greet the growers. Cromwell’s wine trail embraces 20% of the country’s wineries. That is tremendous for an area covering only 5% of New Zealand’s vineyard area. Choices galore, packed between heritage gold mining locations, perched on valley sides overlooking scenic rivers and the home of award winning Pinot Noir wines. Boutique family focused land management enhances the visitors wine experience.
All it takes is several acres, a passion for viticulture and a will to succeed for visitors to have over thirty cellar doors and wineries to pick and choose. Although Pinot Noir is well known, the Cromwell Bannockburn region has outstanding Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Riesling, and Sauvignon Blanc wines.
The region comprises four distinct sub-regions that are separated by rugged river valleys and mountains. The Cromwell Basin, which includes Bannockburn in the south and stretches to Bendigo in the North, contains the largest concentration of the region’s vineyards.
Read more Cromwell’s wine trail, eleven popular wineries to visit
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