Luxury Food, Wine & Landscapes of New Zealand's South Island - 7 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Christchurch, Tour the Garden City

Welcome to New Zealand! Land in the country's second-largest city, Christchurch, and pick up a rental car in preparation for your self-drive adventure. Head to your luxury hotel, Otahuna Lodge, which lies 20 minutes from the city in rural Taitapu. Built in 1895, this stately home belonged to Canterbury pioneer Sir Heaton Rhodes and is now a Category One listed building.

Settle into your elegantly restored suite, which features Queen Anne architecture and fine New Zealand timber. Picture flickering fireplaces, huge windows with stained glass details, super-king beds, and deep-soaking tubs. Wander the serene grounds with their manicured lawns, woodlands, daffodil fields, and lake. Enjoy a swim in the pool before your private Christchurch tour.

Known as the "Garden City" for its green spaces, Christchurch's English heritage is evident along the Avon River / Ōtākaro, where guides dressed in Edwardian costume lead punting trips. As you visit hotspots like the Botanical Gardens and the Transitional Cathedral, your guide will take you through the city's history, detailing its English roots and devastating earthquakes. End with panoramic views from the Port Hills across the city to the Southern Alps.

Day 2: Drive to Kaikōura, Mount Fyffe Heli-Picnic & Matai Peak Coastal Farm Tour

This morning, drive 2.5 hours north to Kaikōura, a small town named by a Māori explorer after its excellent crayfish (kai means food, kōura means crayfish). Kaikōura is known for its incredible marine life, which thrives thanks to a 2-mile (3 km) ocean-floor canyon named the Hikurangi Trench. Currents hitting the canyon stir up nutrients that animals such as sperm whales and dolphins feed on. 

Check into the luxurious Hapuku Lodge and Tree Houses, a family-run eco-hotel set on a deer farm that encompasses over 500 acres (202 ha). The Wilsons, a family of architect-designers, used recycled and responsibly-sourced timber to create cozy lodges and stilted treehouses, decorated with custom-made furniture and a wood burner. There's a lap pool, hot tub, and spa facilities, as well as complimentary mountain bikes so you can explore the area. 

Get your first glimpse of the area on a private helicopter flight to Mount Fyffe, a 5,256-foot (1,602 m) peak named after a local whaler. Soak up 360-degree views of the Kaikōura peninsula, the Pacific Ocean, and towering mountain ranges as you delve into the organic picnic hamper and sip Marlborough wine. Back at sea level, hop into a beach buggy for a private tour of Matai Peak Coastal Farm. 

Cruise along the beach in your buggy, keeping an eye out for Hector's dolphins, which regularly feed in the area, and then continue to a traditional kiwi farm. Your guide will introduce you to Te Mania's prized bulls, which are globally sought after. Next, ascend a mountain peak to admire ocean views; on a clear day, you can see along the peninsula all the way to Christchurch's Port Hills. End with a drink at the iconic Saloon Bar, surrounded by farming memorabilia. 

Day 3: Hapuku Kitchen Cooking Class & Whale Watching Flight

Get a taste of Kaikōura this morning with a private cooking class. Meet acclaimed chef Fiona at Hapuku Kitchen for an introduction to Kiwi cuisine over locally roasted coffee. You'll forage for fresh ingredients in the extensive gardens and then return to prepare seasonal dishes. End by feasting on your creations, paired with New Zealand wine and beers. You'll come away with a recipe booklet and a Hapuku Kitchen apron to remember your experience. 

This afternoon's exhilarating adventure is a whale watching tour by plane. Board a private plane for a scenic flight along the rugged coastline and over the Pacific. With a perfect bird's-eye vantage, your pilot will point out whales cresting in the ocean below, their huge tails slapping the surface and blow-holes spouting air. Afterward, return to your chic treehouse lodge for dinner and a relaxing evening. 

Day 4: Drive to Blenheim, Queen Charlotte Sound / Tōtaranui Mail Boat Cruise

Continue your road trip today, driving 1.5 hours up the coast of the South Island to Blenheim. This small agricultural town lies in the fertile Marlborough region, a wine-growing mecca and one of the sunniest places in the country. Here, you'll find farmers' markets, vine-grooved countryside shadowed by mountains, and the Marlborough Wine Trail, which features 35 of the area's top vineyards. 

You'll stay at the Marlborough Boutique Hotel and Vineyard, set on 16 acres (6.5 ha) of vineyards and gardens. The wooden property was initially built in Blenheim in 1901 as a convent for the Sisters of Mercy but was transplanted to the vineyard and restored in the 1990s. Highlights include a grand kauri wood staircase and grounds with a heated pool, fire pit, and pétanque court. The restaurant, Harvest, serves up a four-course menu of farm-to-table cuisine accompanied by Marlborough wines. 

Spend the afternoon sailing the sparkling Queen Charlotte Sound / Tōtaranui on the Beachcomber Mail Boat. Run by the New Zealand Port Rural Delivery Service, the boat delivers mail, freight, and groceries to families who live in the sound's isolated bays, inlets, and coves. Enjoy an authentic glimpse of Kiwi life and sweeping views of the sound and jagged coastline as you sail. 

Day 5: Marlborough Vineyards Tour & Wine Tasting

Embark upon a private wine-tasting tour of the world-famous Marlborough region, New Zealand's largest wine-growing area. From just 18 vineyards in the 90s, winemaking has boomed in Marlborough thanks to its fertile soils and balmy climate; today, there are over 160 wineries in the region. Many of the estates also host restaurants serving farm-to-fork cuisine.

Stop at some of the best vineyards to enjoy tours that teach you how different varieties are produced, from vine to bottle. You'll sample everything from sauvignon blanc and chardonnay to pinot noir, riesling, and shiraz. Afterward, return to your vineyard hotel for a final gourmet meal. 

Day 6: Drive to Nelson, Explore the Region's Food, Craft Brews & Wine

Say goodbye to Blenheim this morning and drive two hours west to Nelson. Facing Tasman Bay, the town is famed for its diverse geography, from long golden beaches to untouched forests and snow-topped mountains. Nelson is a popular base for exploring nearby caving sites, vineyards, and Abel Tasman National Park.