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New Zealand Hiking and Biking with BYO and WineMaker Magazine

March 16 - 24, 2025

Brad Ring WineMaker Magazine

 

Brad Ring, Publisher of Brew Your Own and WineMaker Magazine, personally invites you to join him on this exclusive beer and wine adventure.

Whether your sense of adventure is big or small, our New Zealand Adventure is sure to satisfy your wanderlust: majestic forests, inspiring coastlines, great cultural explorations, world-class beer, and delectable wine are just a few of the highlights of our nine-day adventure.

We begin in the cosmopolitan capital city of Wellington on the North Island. After a scenic ferry ride through the Marlborough Sounds, we arrive on the wilder South Island and stay in the coastal city of Nelson, the hotbed of hops. We then embark on a blissful hike through the breathtakingly scenic Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve, which passes through virgin forests, picturesque waterfalls, and deep coves.

Adventure awaits as we trade off between biking the Great Taste Trail to Māpua, hiking over beaches and across ridges through Abel Tasman National Park, and quenching our thirst with a strong and smooth East India Pale Ale (or ‘Tui’ as the Kiwis call it), a crisp and grassy New Zealand-Style IPA, and much more. As we explore the New Zealand beer industry, we’ll meet with trailblazers, taste “New World” hops, and get behind the scenes of the “clean, green” ethos that few other growers around the world can offer.

The trip wouldn’t be complete without biking and tasting our way through Marlborough wine country.  Marlborough’s claim to fame is its Sauvignon Blanc, which is considered by many to be the best in the world!  Our time in New Zealand includes walking through vineyards, biking sweet country roads, picnicking at lush wineries, and, of course, beer and wine tasting!

Before ending in the earthquake-ravaged, yet still beautiful, city of Christchurch, we hike along the coastline, where we get to see New Zealand fur seals, one of the few native mammals.  When it is all said and done, we bet you’ll be just as head over heels in love with Kiwi life as we are.

Curated Experiences

  • Explore the cosmopolitan foodie capital of Wellington on New Zealand’s North Island
  • Bike and hike along stunning rivers, pristine beaches, rugged coastlines and through lush forests
  • Dive into the well-known beer and hop industry meeting with brewers
  • Enjoy a bounty of delicious “farm-to-table” produce, seafood, and game
  • Taste and learn about mouthwatering wines from Marlborough’s award-winning winemakers
  • Hike the Kaikōura Peninsula and observe New Zealand fur seals up close in their natural environment on the South Island’s rugged east coast

Tour Details

New Zealand Tour Details

  • Dates: March 16 – 24, 2025
  • Trip Price Per Person: $5,250
  • Single supplement: $1,200
  • Guide: Hamish
  • Meals: 8 breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 7 dinners
  • General Tour FAQs

Tour Itinerary

Day 1

We’ll meet you at a downtown hotel in New Zealand’s hip capital city of Wellington. We hope you will have had the chance to “coffee up” this morning, as Kiwis will be proud to tell you that their coffee is the very best in the world. After an initial round of hellos, we will depart for a tasting and lunch at Heyday Beer, a fresh, vibrant, dog friendly, brewpub on Upper Cuba St.

From there, we’ll make our way to Garage Project Brewery’s Wild Workshop. The Wild Workshop is a playground for creating all things weird and wonderful: barrel-aged sours, spontaneous ferments, beer-wine hybrids, and tanks brimming with fruit. 

After all the fun, we will let you relax at the hotel before heading out to dinner at the elegant, relaxed Floriditas on the famous Cuba Street. 

Meals: Lunch and Dinner

Day 2

After an early breakfast, we head immediately to the Interisland ferry terminal and enjoy the three-hour ride from the bottom tip of the North Island to the top of the South Island, landing in the quaint seaport of Picton in time for lunch.

We’ll drive to Nelson, the epicenter of New Zealand’s hop-growing region, and hike along picturesque waterfalls, streams that feed into the Pelorus River, and peaceful forest in Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve.

Afterward, we’ll transfer and check into our hotel to relax a bit before walking to dinner at Sprig & Fern, known by locals as a one-stop shop to enjoy superb craft beer and cider, local wines, and good ol’ home-style meals in the heart of Nelson.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 3

The day begins after breakfast with a short walk to our bicycle rentals. We’ll bike the Great Taste Trail to Māpua, a mostly flat 60 km (about 37 miles) past orchards, vineyards, sparkling coastlines, rivers, and hill valleys. It’s called The Great ‘Taste’ Trail because of the incredible diversity of experiences you sample along the trail.

We’ll stop for lunch at Golden Bear Brewing Company, founded by American couple Jim and Anne. They restored a rotting steel shed, and two and a half years later, they opened the casual and fun Golden Bear Brewing Company. The rest is history. They proudly say they are “living their dream”.

Afterward, we’ll meet the folks at Hop Revolution, one of New Zealand’s largest independent hop growers, to learn about the New Zealand hops industry and how they pushed the boundaries on flavors and aromas. 

The day will conclude with dinner at The Vic Public House, sharing ‘yorkie puds’, stories, and new memories.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 4

After a delicious breakfast, we’ll discover the hop fields of Tapawera and Kohatu. Our first stop will be Hop Farm Brewery. Hop Farm Brewery was developed to be New Zealand’s ONLY hop farm brewery (hence the name, of course!) Their craft brewery makes noble classic lagers, including Totara Gold which is clean, soft, and smooth. 

After your morning fill of hops, we’ll wash it down with lunch at Moutere Inn, the oldest pub in New Zealand. They boast 13 rotating taps, wines sourced within 10km of the Inn, and quality pub meals made from scratch in the Moutere Kitchen.

Once we’re all fueled up, we’ll finish the day with a 6 km (3.7 miles) hike along Abel Tasman National Park known for golden beaches and sculptured granite cliffs.

Dinner will be on your own tonight.

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 5

After breakfast and check-out, we are off to Marlborough Wine Country. We rest our feet today by jumping on bicycles to visit wine country. You will gain an intense appreciation for the style of wine being made here, the geographical and environmental conditions associated with this wine region, and the passion of the people responsible for making this world-class wine. The cycling is excellent, with nice country roads and little traffic.

In the late afternoon, we’ll shuttle to the lovely wine-country town of Blenheim, our home for the next two nights. You’ll have time to rest and refresh before walking to dinner together at Marlborough Public House. 

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 6

After breakfast and a morning hike at Wither Hills Farm Park, we head to Forrest Winery, with a history dating back to 1990. The story goes, an over-filled red wine fermenter “accidentally” birthed a trophy-winning Merlot Rosé — Forrest. The good doctors will tell us what makes their wines so special for over 30 years, then let us taste this for ourselves. Afterward, we have a picnic in their lovely grounds.

Next, we’ll head to Te Whare Ra, where the delightful owner, Anna, will ensure this is one of the highlights of your trip, and then offer a brief stop and tasting of their biodynamic wine from some of the oldest vines in the region.

The day will conclude with a walk to dinner at Dolce Cafe for wood-fired pizza and a good glass of wine (or beer). 

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 7

We start our day before breakfast with a drive to Kaikōura. Don’t worry, we’ll stop for breakfast at the charming The Store in Kekerengu. After waking up with eggs, hashbrowns, toast, and coffee, you’ll have the option of a 3.4 km (2.1 miles) or 7.3 km (4.5 miles) walk on Kaikōura Peninsula Walkway. Observe seals and seabirds, explore historic pā and whaling sites, and enjoy clifftop views of the sea and mountains as you walk. 

Lunch will be in Kaikōura on your own before we check into our Kaikōura hotel. 

After you have time to settle in, we’ll head out for a well-deserved happy hour at Emporium Brewing and dinner at Hiku (the Māori word for ‘whale tail’). The menu features fare inspired by local heroes, with seafood, farmed produce, wine, and beer sourced from Kaikōura and its surroundings. Expect classics with a Kiwi twist!

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 8

After enjoying breakfast, we will shuttle to Christchurch, with a stop at Manuka Bay for a 6 km (4.5 miles) roundtrip walk along the seacoast and lush forest. We then arrive in Christchurch for lunch at Kaiser Brew Garden which was awarded the best bar in New Zealand in 2023. 

We’ll digest our lunch and beers with a walk across the botanical gardens to our next stop at Volstead Trading Company brewery, an independent brewery serving sunning craft beers on tap. 

After checking into our final hotel in Christchurch, our farewell dinner is a short walk away at Fiddlesticks. ‘Cheers’ to a wonderful trip together with memories that will last a lifetime. What a perfect way to end our last night together!

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 9

After breakfast, you’re free to check out and head home or go on your next adventure! 

Meals: Breakfast

“

As is with every Taste Vacation tour, the attention to detail is incredible. Everything from ensuring that participants have enough wine, tasting spectacular wines, visiting exclusive wineries, dining on great food, touring beautiful vineyards, plenty of activities to keep us busy, and enjoying unique restaurants is covered.

Elizabeth & Jake
“

I was concerned about the limitations of being on a guided tour as well as having to spend the entire time with a group of strangers. What I found was that the tours were extremely well planned and the accommodations, meals, wine tastings, and activities were perfect! And at the end of the trip, the people that began the tour not knowing each other, parted as a group of forever friends planning another adventure together with Taste Vacations.

Alice T.

Tour Accommodations

Nights 1: Ramada Teranaki St (Wellington) Located in the heart of the central business district, this 4-star hotel has friendly staff and great rooms. It’s close to the airport and walkable to the restaurants, cafés, bars, and shops of lively Cuba Street. 

Night 2 – 4: Rutherford Hotel  (Nelson) This family-owned 4-star hotel comes from a rich historic legacy. They provide world-class service with comfortable premium rooms in the downtown area. 

Nights 5 – 6: Hotel D’Urville (Blenheim) Set in the historic 1920s art deco Public Trust building in the heart of Blenheim, surrounded by the world-renowned wine growing region of Marlborough. A true landmark of the town! 

Nights 7: White Morph Hotel (Kaikōura) This 4-star hotel is located along the waterfront and a short walk from the central town – the perfect place to relax after a day of adventure. 

Night 8: Quest on Cambridge (Christchurch) This centrally located studio apartment-style lodging in Christchurch has spacious accommodations, including king beds.

Please note: Hotels are subject to availability.  If listed hotel is not available at time of tour, a hotel that is equal or better to the original will be secured.

What is Included

  • All Local Transportation
  • Double Occupancy Lodging
  • 8 breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 7 dinners
  • All Scheduled Activities
  • Beer and Wine During Organized Tastings
  • Professional Local Tour Guide

Not Included: Travel to and from destination, wine and beer with meals (after the first glass), personal expenses, and optional gratuities to local staff and your guide. Travel insurance is also not included, though we highly recommend it.  Check out our Travel Insurance page for more information.

While the general trip itinerary will remain the same, the actual restaurants, hotels, and activities listed are subject to modifications. Changes that are out of our control are common — restaurants close or lose their amazing chef, a winery changes their visiting hours, a hotel gets remodeled, etc. You are entrusting us to create an outstanding vacation for you and so it is possible we may take the liberty of making necessary changes to the itinerary that will improve your overall trip experience. If there is any one experience that is going to make or break your trip, please discuss this with us in advance.

 

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Arrival & Departure

We’ll meet you in New Zealand’s capital city of Wellington (airport code WLG) on the first morning of the trip – we highly recommend arriving at least a day ahead of time since it will allow you recovery time from a very long flight! We’ll finish in Christchurch, New Zealand (airport code CHC) on the last day, so you should get an “open jaw” ticket into Wellington and out of Christchurch.