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.
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.
Staying at Copthorne Hotel Wellington Oriental Bay
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.
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.
Staying at Punga Cove Resort
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.
Staying at Punga Cove Resort
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.
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.
Staying at Scenic Hotel Marlborough
Day 8 - Blenheim – Kaikoura
Take the intercity coach from Blenheim to Kaikoura, spend the rest of the day at leisure.
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.
Staying at White Morph
Day 10 - Kaikoura – Christchurch
Take the intercity coach from Kaikoura to Christchurch, spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Day 11 - Christchurch
A full day at leisure to explore Christchurch.
Staying at Rydges Latimer Christchurch
Day 12 - Christchurch
Today your tour concludes in Christchurch.
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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 2026, 2027 holidays that may interest you. Remember, we tailor-make each holiday to your exact needs, so please call us on 0800 917 5742 and let one of our Holiday experts design the perfect trip for you
New Zealand’s Best of Both Islands
- Auckland
- Rotorua
- Napier
- Wellington
- Abel Tasman
- Punakaiki
- Christchurch
- Receive a free case of wine
- Save £300 per booking book by 31 October
- Geo Thermal Activity in Rotorua
- Tranzalpine Train
- Abel Tasman National Park
- Hawkes Bay Winelands
13 Nights from £3480pp
Wilderness, Wine & Whales
- Wellington
- Marlborough Sounds
- Blenheim
- Kaikoura
- Christchurch
- Receive a free case of wine
- Save £300 per booking book by 31 October
- New Zealand Fur Seals, pods of Dusky Dolphins
- Giant Sperm Whales of Kaikoura
- Blenheim wine tour
- Wellington Botanic Gardens
11 Nights from £3900pp
Natural Wonders of Australia & New Zealand
- Christchurch
- Lake Tekapo
- Queenstown
- Sydney
- Cairns
- Melbourne
- Receive a free case of wine
- Save £300 per booking book by 31 October
- 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 £4500pp
Ultimate Australia & New Zealand
- Melbourne
- Uluru (Ayers Rock)
- Alice Springs
- Cairns
- Sydney
- Queenstown
- Franz Josef
- Christchurch
- Rotorua
- Auckland
- Receive a free case of wine
- Save £300 per booking book by 31 October
- 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 £6900pp
New Zealand By Train
- Auckland
- Wellington
- Marlborough Sounds
- Blenheim
- Kaikoura
- Christchurch
- Receive a free case of wine
- Save £300 per booking book by 31 October
- 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
- Receive a free case of wine
- Save £300 per booking book by 31 October
- Visit Geo Thermal Rotorua
- See the impressive Huka Falls
- Experience Maori Culture
- Spend time in Auckland and Wellington
8 Nights from £1000pp