Christchurch to Queenstown Food and Wine Tour
Christchurch to Queenstown
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Christchurch to Queenstown Food and Wine Tour

Explore two of the South Island's popular wine regions while enjoying magnificent views of the Waipara Valley, Mt Cook National Park and Central Otago. Beginning in Christchurch, you will take a day trip to the beautiful Waipara Valley, home of multiple award winning wineries. You will visit Pegasus Bay, Torlesse, Mud House and Waipara Springs wineries. From Christchurch, you head inland to Mt Cook National Park, staying the night in the luxury hermitage. You will enjoy a signature dish at the Panorama Room a la carte restaurant before travelling over the spectacular Lindis Pass and continuing on to Queenstown. From Queenstown you will be taken on a private boutique wine tour including tastings at four vineyards in the Queenstown/Cromwell region.

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Quick Itinerary Details

South Island Self Drive

This suggested tour costs from NZD$2,019 per person (twin share, low season)

Starts in Christchurch, finishes in Queenstown

6 days/5 nights

Hotel 4 star

 Rental car included

 Viewed 25 times in the last 7 days

Tour Inclusions

- Private transfer Christchurch International Airport to your accommodation
Meals included: 5 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 dinner
Tour at a glance

Day 1: Your time in Christchurch will begin with a transfer to your hotel, followed by the rest of the day at your leisure
Accommodation: Distinction Hotel Christchurch

Day 2: Explore the vineyards of the Waipara Valley
Accommodation: Distinction Hotel Christchurch

Day 3: Collect your rental car and head inland to Mt Cook
Accommodation: Hermitage Hotel, Wakefield Wing Superior Room
Driving distance and time (approximate) for this leg: 350 kms / 217 miles : 4.1 hours

Day 4: Travel through the spectacular Lindas Pass to Queenstown
Accommodation: Millennium Hotel Queenstown
Driving distance and time (approximate) for this leg: 257 kms / 159 miles : 3.0 hours

Day 5: Explore the vineyards of Central Otago
Accommodation: Millennium Hotel Queenstown

Day 6: Depart Queenstown today

Driving distance and time (approximate) for this leg: 8 kms / 5 miles : 0.2 hours

Tour full itinerary

Detailed itinerary: 6 day tour starting in Christchurch

Day 1 - Your time in Christchurch will begin with a transfer to your hotel, followed by the rest of the day at your leisure
Christchurch to Queenstown Food and Wine Tour - Day 1
Private transfer Christchurch International Airport to your accommodation

On arrival, you will be met by a private driver and transferred to your Christchurch accommodation.

SUGGESTED ACTIVITY - Dinner onboard the Christchurch Restaurant Tram

A truly unique dining experience in the heart of Christchurch. You'll board New Zealand's only dining tram for an unforgettable moving four-course res...

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A truly unique dining experience in the heart of Christchurch. You'll board New Zealand's only dining tram for an unforgettable moving four-course restaurant experience. Enjoy a curated fine dining-style menu while taking in the city sights on your journey through the streets of central Christchurch. Lasting two to two and a half hours, you'll complete 2.5 circuits of the city tram route passing New Regent Street, the Avon River, High Street, and Victoria Square.

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Your accommodation: Distinction Hotel Christchurch

This luxury hotel is centrally located in the revitalised Cathedral Square in the heart of the city, a short stroll from the Avon River, Botanical Gardens, Christchurch Casino, Cashel Mall and new Christchurch Convention Centre.
Day 2 - Explore the vineyards of the Waipara Valley
Christchurch to Queenstown Food and Wine Tour - Day 2
Waipara Valley Wine Trail and lunch with Leisure Tours

This tour explores 4 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 includes lunch 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.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Your accommodation: Distinction Hotel Christchurch

This luxury hotel is centrally located in the revitalised Cathedral Square in the heart of the city, a short stroll from the Avon River, Botanical Gardens, Christchurch Casino, Cashel Mall and new Christchurch Convention Centre.
Day 3 - Collect your rental car and head inland to Mt Cook
Christchurch to Queenstown Food and Wine Tour - Day 3
Collect your rental car

This tour can be priced with any of the rental cars available in our fantastic range, from economy hatchbacks to prestige saloons and SUV's.

Christchurch to Aoraki Mt Cook National Park

Today you'll drive through the heart of the South Island, crossing the vast Canterbury plains. Catch your breath in Geraldine before continuing through Fairlie. Ascending Burkes pass you'll come to the picturesque lakeside town of Tekapo.
Follow the road and take in the view of Aoraki Mt Cook (New Zealand's tallest mountain) from the shores of Lake Pukaki, known for its glacier fed turquoise blue colour. Continue along the lake to your final destination Mt Cook Village.
Please note: There are no food shops at Mt Cook, and dinner options are limited to one restaurant. If you wish to self-cater, you must stock up before arriving in Mt Cook, or make dinner reservations in advance.

The Alpine Restaurant Buffet Dinner

The Alpine Restaurant located at The Hermitage Hotel offers sumptuous buffets for breakfast, lunch and dinner, accompanied by spectacular views of Aoraki Mount Cook from every seat. Enjoy a vast buffet including a wide range of foods such as soup, salads, seafood, hot and cold meats and desserts with tea and coffee to follow.

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

Your accommodation: Hermitage Hotel, Wakefield Wing Superior Room

The Hermitage Hotel ringed by magnificent snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps, is a world-renowned tourist destination and has been an icon of superior accommodation and dining since 1884. Room type - Wakefield Wing Superior room facing Aoraki/Mt. Cook.

Driving distance and time (approximate) for this leg: 350 kms / 217 miles : 4.1 hours

Day 4 - Travel through the spectacular Lindas Pass to Queenstown
Christchurch to Queenstown Food and Wine Tour - Day 4
Aoraki Mt Cook National Park to Queenstown

Leaving the alpine region of Aoraki Mt Cook, you'll travel through the lakeside town of Twizel, then a little further to Omarama the gliding capital of New Zealand. Continue on over the Lindis Pass, one of New Zealand's highest roads with a summit of 971 metres. Arrive in the quaint village of Tarras, then continue on a short way to the historic Bendigo Reserve, one of Otago's original gold mining settlements.
Follow the road to Cromwell, and keep going through the sheer cliffs of the Kawarau Gorge towards Gibbston, one of New Zealand's premier wine growing regions. See the historic Kawarau Bridge where you can bungy jump or relax and watch others take the plunge. Approaching Queenstown, the Remarkables mountain range comes into view as you arrive into the adventure capital of New Zealand.

SUGGESTED ACTIVITY - Queenstown Skyline Gondola Ride

Hop aboard the Skyline Gondola - the steepest cable car lift in the Southern hemisphere! From which you can take in the awe-inspiring views of this sp...

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Hop aboard the Skyline Gondola - the steepest cable car lift in the Southern hemisphere! From which you can take in the awe-inspiring views of this spectacular landscape. Sit back and relax as you enjoy panoramic views of The Remarkables, Walter Peak, Cecil Peak, Coronet Peak and the magnificent Lake Wakatipu.

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Meals included: Breakfast

Your accommodation: Millennium Hotel Queenstown

Right in the heart of the action, the Millennium Hotel is just minutes from Queenstown's central shopping and entertainment district. Outdoor activities such as bungy jumping, white water rafting and jet boating are just some of the easily accessible activities nearby in New Zealand's adventure capital.

Driving distance and time (approximate) for this leg: 257 kms / 159 miles : 3.0 hours

Day 5 - Explore the vineyards of Central Otago
Christchurch to Queenstown Food and Wine Tour - Day 5
Appellation Private Boutique Wine Tour

For the more discerning wine lover, or simply people who prefer the flexibility of a private tour. Join one of Appellation's senior wine guides on a wine tasting journey to some of New Zealand's most memorable vineyards, at your own pace. Your guides local knowledge and familiarity with the vineyards of Central Otago is at your disposal for an intimate half day wine experience in a thriving wine region. Packages are tailor made for you, and you are encouraged to advise of any varietal or vineyard preferences when booking.
The private boutique wine tour includes tastings at four vineyards, typically two in the Gibbston/Queenstown region and two in the Bannockburn/Cromwell region. You'll enjoy a delightful platter lunch at Carrick Winery with a glass of premium matched wine. You'll also explore the history and scenery of the region with a stroll through Old Cromwell Town and a stunning drive through the Kawarau Gorge. Tours last approximately 5 hours.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Your accommodation: Millennium Hotel Queenstown

Right in the heart of the action, the Millennium Hotel is just minutes from Queenstown's central shopping and entertainment district. Outdoor activities such as bungy jumping, white water rafting and jet boating are just some of the easily accessible activities nearby in New Zealand's adventure capital.
Day 6 - Depart Queenstown today
Christchurch to Queenstown Food and Wine Tour - Day 6
Return your vehicle to Queenstown Airport

Explore more of Queenstown before dropping your rental car at the airport depot and continuing your onward journey.

Meals included: Breakfast

Driving distance and time (approximate) for this leg: 8 kms / 5 miles : 0.2 hours

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Christchurch to Queenstown Food and Wine Tour

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Remember - we can create this itinerary with any style of accommodation or customise to suit your interests and timeframe. Just contact us here.

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