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
Copthorne Hotel Wellington Oriental Bay
Enhance your experience
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
Copthorne Hotel Wellington Oriental Bay
Enhance your experience
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
Punga Cove Resort
Enhance your experience
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
Punga Cove Resort
Enhance your experience
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
Punga Cove Resort
Enhance your experience
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
Scenic Hotel Marlborough
Enhance your experience
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
Scenic Hotel Marlborough
Enhance your experience
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
Rydges Latimer Christchurch
Enhance your experience
The Observatory Hotel Christchurch
Day 11 - Christchurch
A full day at leisure to explore Christchurch.
Featured accommodation
Rydges Latimer Christchurch
Enhance your experience
The Observatory Hotel Christchurch
Day 12 - Christchurch
Today your tour concludes in Christchurch.
Copthorne Hotel Wellington Oriental Bay
Discover waterfront luxury at the Copthorne Hotel Wellington Oriental Bay. Situated on the picturesque Oriental Parade, this contemporary and stylish hotel offers a prime location in the heart of New Zealand's vibrant capital city. The Copthorne Hotel Wellington Oriental Bay boasts spectacular views of the shimmering Wellington Harbour and the lush green hills beyond, making it the perfect base for both leisure and business travellers.
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
Punga Cove Resort, Marlborough Sounds
Set amongst stunning scenery in the magnificent Marlborough Sounds, Punga Cove is the perfect retreat, surrounded by nature. Choose from the stylish suites, spacious studios and retro chalets or larger apartments for families and groups. The basic rooms cater for those on a budget.
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.
Scenic Hotel Marlborough, Blenheim
Located in the heart of sunny Marlborough,the Scenic Hotel Marlborough is just minutes walk from the centre of Blenheim with some of New Zealand's finest food and wine virtually on your doorstep. Scenic Hotel Marlborough offers guests the ultimate in modern comfort and service.
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.
Rydges Latimer Christchurch
Enjoy luxurious accommodation at the Rydges Latimer Christchurch hotel surrounded in stunning natural beauty. This 4.5-star hotel has been built to ensure a top-of-the-line experience, features and amenities, with 100 percent compliance to the latest building code requirements.
The Observatory Hotel Christchurch
The Observatory Hotel Christchurch is a charming boutique hotel nestled in the heart of Christchurch, New Zealand. This elegant establishment offers a unique blend of modern comfort and historic charm, making it an ideal choice for travellers seeking a memorable and immersive experience. The hotel's location is a true highlight, situated just steps away from some of Christchurch's most iconic attractions, including the picturesque Botanic Gardens and the vibrant arts and cultural precinct.
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
Wilderness, Wine & Whales
- Wellington
- Marlborough Sounds
- Blenheim
- Kaikoura
- Christchurch
- New Zealand Fur Seals, pods of Dusky Dolphins
- Giant Sperm Whales of Kaikoura
- Blenheim wine tour
- Wellington Botanic Gardens
11 Nights from £3450pp
New Zealand’s Best of Both Islands
- Auckland
- Rotorua
- Napier
- Wellington
- Abel Tasman
- Punakaiki
- Christchurch
- Geo Thermal Activity in Rotorua
- Tranzalpine Train
- Abel Tasman National Park
- Hawkes Bay Winelands
13 Nights from £3525pp
Natural Wonders of Australia & New Zealand
- Christchurch
- Lake Tekapo
- Queenstown
- Sydney
- Cairns
- Melbourne
- Stunning Mountain Scenery in New Zealand
- See Sydney and the Blue Mountains
- Visit the Great Barrier Reef and Tropical Rainforest
- Get up close to Koala's and Penguins on Phillip Island
14 Nights from £4430pp
Ultimate Australia & New Zealand
- Melbourne
- Uluru (Ayers Rock)
- Alice Springs
- Cairns
- Sydney
- Queenstown
- Franz Josef
- Christchurch
- Rotorua
- Auckland
- Experience the dusty Outback
- Explore the Great Barrier Reef
- Enjoy beautiful Sydney & The Blue Mountains
- Enjoy the stunning mountain scenery of New Zealand
21 Nights from £6829pp
New Zealand By Train
- Auckland
- Wellington
- Marlborough Sounds
- Blenheim
- Kaikoura
- Christchurch
- Scenic Rail Journeys
- North and South Islands
- See Mount Ruapehu
- Unwind in The Marlborough Sounds
13 Nights from £3670pp
North Island’s Hot Spots
- Wellington
- Taupo
- Rotorua
- Auckland
- Visit Geo Thermal Rotorua
- See the impressive Huka Falls
- Experience Maori Culture
- Spend time in Auckland and Wellington
8 Nights from £1055pp
New Zealand Highlights
- Queenstown
- Christchurch
- Rotorua
- Auckland
- Visit Stunning Milford Sound
- See the Hobbiton Movie Set
- Experience Geo Thermal Rotorua
- Enjoy free time in Queenstown
7 Nights from £1320pp
South Island’s Natural Wonders
- Christchurch
- Franz Josef
- Wanaka
- Queenstown
- Lake Tekapo
- Travel on the Tranzalpine Train
- See beautiful Milford Sound
- See the impressive Franz Josef Glacier
- Enjoy free time in Queenstown
9 Nights from £3375pp
Australia and New Zealand Combined
- Melbourne
- Auckland
- Wellington
- Queenstown
- Sydney
- Magnificent Melbourne
- Cruise Milford Sound
- Catch the scenic train between Auckland and Wellington
- See Sydney and the Blue Mountains
14 Nights from £4285pp
Holland America Australia & New Zealand Cruise
- Auckland
- Rotorua
- Napier
- Picton
- Wellington
- Christchurch
- Dunedin
- Milford Sound
- Hobart
- Melbourne
- Sydney
- Amazing Holland America Cruise
- Explore the New Zealand Fjords
- Cruise into Sydney Harbour
- Marvel at geo-thermal Rotorua
15 Nights from £4495pp
Complete New Zealand Self Drive
- Singapore
- Auckland
- Rotorua
- Napier
- Wellington
- Blenheim
- Kaikoura
- Franz Josef
- Wanaka
- Queenstown
- Christchurch
23 Nights from £4995pp
Shiraz to Sauvignon
- Adelaide
- Sydney
- Wellington
- Napier
- Rotorua
- Auckland
- Barossa & Hawkes Bay Vineyards
- Sydney & The Blue Mountains
- Maori culture in Rotorua
- Hobbiton movie set
14 Nights from £5365pp
New Zealand Up Close Rail Holiday
- Auckland
- Hamilton
- Rotorua
- Wellington
- Marlborough Sounds
- Kaikoura
- Christchurch
- Hokitika
- Franz Josef
- Queenstown
- Travel onboard the scenic Tranz Alpine Train
- Experience the bioluminescent glowworm caves of Waitomo
- Escape on nautical adventures along Milford Sound, Queen Charlotte Sound and Lake Wakatipu
- Discover Haast Pass on a unique Kiwi-style Road Trip adventure
16 Nights from £9340pp
Silversea Australia & New Zealand Cruise
- Auckland
- Wellington
- Christchurch
- Dunedin
- Milford Sound
- Hobart
- Adelaide
- Kangaroo Island
- Melbourne
- Fantastic Silversea Cruise
- New Zealand Fijords
- Remote Stewart Island
- Cosmopolitan Melbourne
17 Nights from £10275pp
