Vistas and Vines South Island tour

This tour explores 3 of North Canterbury’s boutique vineyards. Travel 45 minutes north of Christchurch through the New Zealand countryside to the Waipara Valley, well known for its warm, dry climate and rich alluvial soils, ideal for superior wine production. Over 40 vineyards and wineries pepper the landscape of the valley, with Pinot Noir, Riesling, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc dominating local plantings. You will stop for tastings at Pegasus Bay, Waipara Springs, Greystone Winery and Waipara Hills Winery. If for any reason one of these wineries is closed on the day or your tour an alternative winery in the Waipara Valley will be included. This activity also has lunch included at Waipara Springs Winery. The platter lunch includes tastes of both a regional and New Zealand flavour and is the perfect accompaniment to some of these wineries fine wines.

The drive north from Christchurch to Kaikoura takes you through some fine rolling farmland and North Canterbury’s major wine region, the Waipara Valley. A great detour to take is to head inland and visit Hanmer Springs for a dip in the natural hot pools. Crossing the Hawkswood Range you descend towards the spectacular Kaikoura coastline and the road hugs the ocean as it winds its way the remaining 15 kilometres to the township. Kaikoura Township is a bustling little place with many cafes, restaurants and shops but the main reason for visiting here is the wildlife. Continuing The road hugs the shore for around 50 kilometres and offers many chances to view the native wildlife such as seabirds and New Zealand fur seals. To the east is the turquoise of the South Pacific Ocean and to the west the towering Kaikoura Ranges. Crossing the dry hills of the Marlborough ranges you head towards one of the most spectacular coastlines of the South Island, the Kaikoura Coast. Blenheim sits right at the heart of the New Zealand’s largest wine producing region, Marlborough, and is ideally located to enjoy an afternoon sampling the local produce. A great way to do this is to take a guided wine tour with Sounds Connection Wine Tours.

The Marlborough Sounds, located at the north-eastern tip of New Zealand’s South Island, is a captivating region of sunken river valleys. Spanning 4,000 km² between Tasman and Cloudy Bays, this diverse landscape of bush-clad mountains and clear waters is a haven for marine life and seabirds, including dolphins, seals, penguins, fantails, bellbirds, and wood pigeons. Sparsely populated, many of its secluded houses and resorts are accessible only by boat, making it an ideal escape. The main sounds, Queen Charlotte, Pelorus, Kenepuru, and Tory Channel, carve out a spectacular coastline and separate Arapawa Island from the mainland. Indulge your senses with the region’s culinary delights, from fresh Greenshell mussels harvested directly from the Sounds and perfectly paired with world-famous Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, to an array of local delicacies. Whether you seek exhilarating water sports, tranquil walks, or simply the chance to unwind amidst spectacular scenery, the Marlborough Sounds promise an unforgettable and deeply captivating experience.

The drive today takes you along the Buller Gorge and offers some wonderful scenery as you follow this magnificent river. The town of Murchison is a quiet place and a great lunch stop. Underneath its sleepy farming facade is an adventurers paradise with white water rafting, kayaking, 4WD trips and some great trout fishing. The first major town (by this region’s standard) is Inangahua, and a small museum tells of the earthquake that hit the region in 1968, leaving 70% of the buildings damaged or inhabitable. Further along the river, one of the must-visit places is Whites Creek and New Zealand’s longest swing bridge. Crossing the river, you get magnificent views of the gorge, and once on the other side, there are short bush walks, a jet boat ride, and some of the historic gold mining remnants. The port town of Westport is the largest on the Northern West Coast. A history of gold mining, logging, fishing coal mining gives the town a hard working feeling. And to reward the hard workers the town has an extraordinary amount of pubs. There are plenty of activities here, such as caving, bush walks, and surfing, but one of the most popular is to take a trip to Tauranga Bay and the seal colony. Just 15 kilometres south at Cape Foulwind (named by Captain Cook for the difficult sailing conditions and not the smell of the seals!), you will find a breeding colony of New Zealand fur seals. A well-marked and easy 10-minute walking track takes you to a colony where you can see the creatures lazing around or swimming in the ocean. Continuing along the spectacular West Coast Road towards Punakaiki, you are rewarded with dramatic scenery of sheer cliffs, bush-clad hillsides, and windswept beaches. Punakaiki is most famous for the Pancake Rocks and Blowholes. Visitors are often less aware of the many other great experiences available. Located in the heart of the Paparoa National Park, the area offers guided beach, forest, and mountain walks, canoeing, wildlife, horse trekking, surfing, gemstone hunting, caving, and climbing, heritage sites. There are taverns, cafes, and restaurants, and a great range of accommodation. The area also boasts a vibrant arts and crafts community and a cooperative gallery. Exploring the famous pancake rocks is best at high tide, with the incoming ocean waves sending seawater up the blow holes to create spectacular plumes.

The drive South on State Highway 6 takes you through many West Coast towns. The first is Greymouth, the commercial centre for the West Coast. Just south of the town is Shantytown a replica gold rush town with lots of great displays from yesteryear. The next town is Hokitika and this is a great place to explore the craft and gift stores. The Jade or Greenstone on offer in Hokitika is probably some of the best you will see in the country. The Hokitika Gorge, off the beaten track and inland a little is a spectacular 50 minute detour. Turquoise waters flowing through a narrow gorge. A great short walk will deliver you to this piece of paradise. Ross is the site of an old gold mining town and some of the old buildings and workings remain. In fact Ross is still home to one of the few working gold mines left in New Zealand and the local information centre offers you the chance to pan for gold. Continuing south Hari Hari is the township that Guy Menzies decided to land in (or rather crash land) as he became the first person to fly solo across the Tasman. Whataroa, a small township on the main road is where you would head off to see one of the worlds rarest birds. The entire population (somewhere between 150 and 200 birds) of the New Zealand white heron or kotuku nest at the Waitangi Roto Nature Reserve and guided tours from October to March will take you there. Arriving in to the Glacier region you catch your first glimpse of Franz Josef Glacier from a few kilometres out as it flows from the Southern Alps. Franz Josef township is a lively place with a great atmosphere, plenty of choice to dine out and some wonderful activities to enjoy.

After a thrilling scenic flight, high above the rugged terrain, you will land on the glacier, ready to undertake a guided glacier hike. Your friendly guide will lead you through some of the most pristine and awe-inspiring glacial scenery in the world. Your guide will choose your route carefully as you go and, with an eye for the most spectacular ice formations, you’ll soon be making your way through an extraordinary landscape of towering peaks and glistening blue ice. It is important you read and understand the risks associated with this activity prior to travel. For more information please see here.

Heading south you will climb over the Fox hills before arriving at the small town of Fox Glacier. If it’s a nice day enjoy spectacular reflections of snowcapped mountains in Lake Matheson, located just 5 minutes west of Fox. Heading south from fox enjoy the amazing scenery of the Southern Alps, and sneak peeks of the rugged beaches while winding through ancient temperate rainforests. At Knights Point Lookout, elephant seals can often be seen basking on the sandy beaches at the far end of the point. Crossing the Haast River you’ll turn inland and through the mountainous valley littered with waterfalls. A great suggested stop along this route is the Blue Pools. Continue on past lakes Hawea and Wanaka into the alpine township of Wanaka.

This small group wine tour (maximum 8) offers a relaxed and personal introduction to the wines and scenery of the Central Otago region. This tour is a great way to explore award-winning vineyards hidden amongst the rugged landscape of Central Otago. Visit and enjoy tastings at 4 Central Otago vineyards including a delicious mid-afternoon platter to enjoy with your tastings. You’ll also discover the history of the region with a visit to Old Cromwell Town, a charming heritage precinct that has been revitalised into a boutique arts and crafts village.

Leaving Wanaka, you head over New Zealand’s highest sealed road, Crown Range Road, before dropping into Queenstown. This drive only takes about an hour, but you should allow more time to enjoy the magnificent scenery and explore the walks and many stops en route, including the Cardrona Distillery, wonderful views from Crown Range’s highest point over Queenstown, the picturesque town of Arrowtown, and if time allows, even the wineries in Gibbston.

Wander through Wanaka’s breathtaking rugged landscapes and enjoy being surrounded by stunning scenery, mountain tops, and glaciers in Mount Aspiring National Park with an expert guide beside you. This day hike will be tailored to your abilities and will include a packed lunch to be consumed somewhere off the beaten track. It is important you read and understand the risks associated with this activity. For more information see here.

Journey deep into the heart of the world-renowned Mt Aspiring National Park, where myth, heritage, and fantasy come to life. As one of Queenstown’s most exhilarating activities, the Wilderness Jet adventures on a spectacular journey deep into the heart of the world-renowned Mount Aspiring National Park. It is important you read and understand the risks associated with this activity. For more information please see here.

Discover Central Otago’s world class wine history and cuisine on this fun interactive small group tour. Traveling in a luxury minivan with a specialist guide you will explore three contrasting sub regions Gibbston Bannockburn and Cromwell tasting at four premium boutique vineyards. Indulge in a gourmet platter style lunch of locally sourced produce perfectly complemented by a flight of estate wines. Enjoy ample photo opportunities over the Bannockburn Inlet and Lake Dunstan complete with a historic stroll through Old Cromwell Town.