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Napier - Martinborough - Wellington PDF Print E-mail
New Zealand - Off the Beaten Track - Private Touring
4 Days/3 Nights

 

Day 1 Arrive Napier (D.)

Met on arrival by a private car and driver for a day of sightseeing.

In 1931 Napier was devastated by a huge earthquake, and was rebuilt in an art deco style of architecture. It is a popular seaside city with a warm sunny climate. Vegetables and fruit are important crops and there are a number of very good wineries in the area including Vidals, Church Road, Kim Crawford, Esk Valley, Sileni, Craggy Range and Mission Estate.

 

Napier Gardens

 

There is the option of visiting your choice of wineries, and / or taking an art deco guided walk through Napier City, and / or an afternoon safari tour to the huge Gannet Sanctuary at Cape Kidnappers (September / April only). This is the largest and most spectacular mainland nesting place of Gannets in the world with over 20,000 birds - members of the Booby family with distinctive black eye markings and a pale gold crown. Visitors to the colony will see adults and young nesting in serried rows. In the air birds swoop and dive as they bring back fish. On the ground the pairs preen and perform the dance of the gannets recognition ritual. Another option is golfing at the Cape Kidnapper's Golf Course (golf is extra cost).

Greenhill, the lodge is an opulent and tranquil private retreat steeped in local history. It is set on a 30 acre estate in park like grounds in the heart of the Hawkes Bay wine country. British royalty have stayed here. There are just 5 x en suite guest rooms- all with king size beds and a dining room, which caters exclusively to houseguests. Among the recreational facilities are a library, billiard room, swimming pool, spa pool and gymnasium. King room.

Dinner at the lodge.

Greenhill, The Lodge

 

Day 2 Napier - Martinborough (B.)

Breakfast at the lodge.

Today drive south through picturesque Hawkes Bay sheep and cattle farming country through Woodville and into the Wairarapa Valley. If you have an interest in birdlife you may wish to stop en route at Mt Bruce Native Bird Sanctuary where the Department of Conservation has breeding programmes for rare and endangered native birds.

The sunny dry climate and free draining low-vigour soils of the Wairarapa Valley is ideal for grape growing and results in intensely flavoured grapes. The Pinot Noirs, which make up 60% of the grapes planted here, are especially powerful and highly regarded. Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Gris are also popular. Among the best known of the Martinborough Wineries are; Te Kairanga Wines, Dry River Wines, Palliser Estate, Murdock James and the Margrain Vineyard. Visit some of these for wine tasting and also visit to the popular Martinborough Wine Shop.

 

Peppers Martinborough

 

The historic Martinborough Hotel was originally built in timber 1862 and was extensively renovated and upgraded in 1996 to offer 16 x en suite guest rooms. Each of these is individually designed and decorated with a character that ranges from traditional English country house to eastern in character. Nine of the rooms open onto the balcony, which overlooks the courtyard, garden and Town Square

Pepper's Martinborough Hotel

 

Day 3 Martinborough - Wellington (B.)

Breakfast at the hotel.

This morning drive on south to Wellington, crossing the Rimutaka Ranges and descending through the Hutt Valley.

Afternoon sightseeing in Wellington includes views of New Zealand's capital city and the magnificent harbour around which it is sited from Mt Victoria, New Zealand's Parliament buildings and the lovely old St Paul's Cathedral, followed by a drive around the waterfront to Te Papa - the National Museum of New Zealand where there are some excellent exhibits and inter active displays (open until 6 pm - except until 9 pm on Thursdays / free admission).

 

Wellington City

 

The Intercontinental is Wellington's top hotel. It is centrally located in downtown Wellington across the street from the harbour and handy to a wide choice of restaurants and cafes. 232 conditioned room including 47 Club Rooms. Heated indoor pool, health club and massage facilities. Chameleon Restaurant. Club Room

Hotel Intercontinental, Wellington

 

Day 4 Depart Wellington (B.)

Continental breakfast at the hotel.

Free until transfer to Wellington Airport or the Interislander ferry terminal by private car and driver.

 

Contact us for a quotation or to tailor make this program.