Wairarapa Wandering
6 Nights/7: Days Auckland – Napier – Martinborough – Martinborough – Cape Palliser – Wellington – Chateau Tongariro – Auckland
Wairarapa Wandering
From Martinborough explore the Wairarapa – Cape Palliser lighthouse, the seal colony, Greytown, Richmond’s topiary garden and Stonehenge Aotearoa. Napier, Wellington and the Chateau Tongariro are also on the itinerary.experiences included in your tour price
- All transport by comfortable, air conditioned coach (maximum of 16 travellers).
- Services of your experienced MoaTrek driver/guide.
- Quality, en suite accommodation.
- All breakfasts, lunches and dinners.
- All sightseeing and exploring in the regions.
- Visit the Mt Bruce National Wildlife Centre.
- Wine tasting at Hawkes Bay and Martinborough vineyards.
- In the Wairarapa meet the creators of beautiful Richmond and Awaiti Gardens.
- Visit Stonehenge Aotearoa.
- Drive out to the dramatic Cape Palliser lighthouse.
- Stay in the heart of cosmopolitan Wellington.
- Private lunch at Mairenui Farm.
experiences not included in your tour price
Optional visit to Waitomo Glow worm caves: $39ppTour dates
- January 14 - January 20, 2013
Tour Price
$NZD2990 per person twin or double share accommodation$NZD3490 per person single room accommodation
Our travellers say...
I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed the Wairarapa trip. All I can say is it was brilliant. Organisation was faultless, the accommodation and food wonderful. I do hope to travel with you again in the future, and thankyou for a wonderful time.
Rita Holmes - New Zealand, Wairarapa Wandering January 2011
Tour dates
- January 14 - January 20, 2013
Day 1: Auckland - Taupo - Napier (L, D)
We depart Auckland driving into the heart of the Waikato farmland, we stop in Tirau to browse the antique shops. We lunch at Lava Glass Cafe near Taupo then travel over the ranges to Napier where we sightsee along the Art Deco trail. We check into Te Pania on the waterfront and dine in the hotel restaurant.
Day 2: Napier - Martinborough (B, L, D)
Hawkes Bay is New Zealand’s food basket - orchards, vineyards and market gardens abound. We visit the pretty English style village of Havelock North before heading south to the farming towns of Waipukurau, Norsewood and Dannevirke. We stop for lunch at Mt Bruce National Wildlife Centre, a renowned bird sanctuary. In the late afternoon we reach the pretty village of Martinborough where we dine this evening.
Day 3: Wairarapa sightseeing - Cape Palliser (B, L, D)
We drive out to dramatic Cape Palliser Lighthouse, stopping for photos at Ngawi, a quaint fishing village. At this southernmost tip of the North Island we are able to get close-up to the breeding seal colony lounging around on the rocks and frolicing in the sea. We return along the coastal road to Lake Ferry Hotel in time for lunch at this popular country pub with its great water and landscape views. After lunch we visit a museum where the only Fell Engine in the world has been restored to its former glory. We visit Te Kairanga Wines and end the afternoon with a private wine tasting at Margrain Vineyard.
Day 4: Wairarapa sightseeing - Greytown, Carterton (B, L, D)
Exploring the country towns and heritage trails. We visit arty Greytown’s picturesque main street lined with antique, craft and gift shops ~ great for wandering. We wend our way through the pretty country roads of Grafton and Carterton to Awaiti Gardens for lunch with Jeanette and Allan Gates, creators of this beautiful garden. We visit Stonehenge Aotearoa. Rising out of the farm paddocks, it has to be seen to be believed! We dine in Martinborough.
Day 5: Martinborough - Wellington (B, L, D)
We head over the winding Rimutaka Ranges road to explore Wellington. We drive the Thorndon Heritage trail passing Parliament Buildings and Katherine Mansfield’s family home. We visit Te Papa Museum and admire the views from the top of Mt Victoria, continuing around the outer bays of the harbour. Returning to the city in time for shopping. We dine in at the Intercontinental Hotel.
Day 6: Wellington - The Chateau Tongariro (B, L, D)
There are lovely views along the Kapiti Coast before the highway heads into the farmlands. We lunch with Sue and David Sweet at Mairenui Farm, near Mangaweka and enjoy their warm country hospitality. Leaving Mairenui we reach the dramatic landscape of the Desert Road and drive around the slopes of Mount Ruapehu. We arrive at the Chateau Tongariro in time to relax before dining in this classic, landmark hotel.
Day 7: The Chateau Tongariro - Waitomo Caves - Auckland (B, L)
We stop in Taumarunui, continuing on through the rugged farming landscape for lunch at Waitomo’s Huhu Café and an optional visit ($39) to the breathtaking beauty of the glowworm cave. After lunch we drive northwards through the Waikato farmlands to reach Auckland in the late afternoon.
Scenic Hotel Te Pania
The contemporary Te Pania Hotel offers four star accommodation. Enjoy the central waterfront location and the extensive sea views. All rooms face out to the ocean with windows that can be opened
Margrain Villas
Designed by renowned architect Roger Walker, the Villas are close to Margrain's terraced vineyard. Each villa includes a lounge area with French doors opening to a balcony overlooking the rural pastureland to the Tararua Ranges.
The Chateau
The Chateau Tongariro is a classic, landmark hotel at the foot of Mount Ruapehu in Tongariro National Park. Enjoy the stunning views and four star service and ambience.
The InterContinental Wellington
The five star InterContinental Hotel is on the flat near the waterfront and within close walking distance of shops and the WOW attractions. Swimming pool and fitness centre.
Booking enquiries
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Contact details
Booking conditions
- A payment of 10% of your tour cost to your travel agent or MoaTrek New Zealand Ltd (MoaTrek) confirms your booking and acknowledges your agreement to our terms and conditions.
- The balance of your fare is due 40 days before your tour departs.
- Tour reservations can of course, be made within 40 days provided full payment is made at time of booking.
- All prices are in $NZ and include New Zealand Goods & Services tax (GST) of 12.5%.
Cancellations and amendments
Cancellation fees depend on when we receive written notification of a cancellation.
- Bookings cancelled more than 40 days before departure incur loss of deposit.
- Between 40 days & 14 days 25% of tour cost.
- Within 14 days of departure 50% of tour cost.
- Bookings cancelled within seven days of the departure date are subject to 100% of tour cost.
- No refunds will be made after travel has commenced.
Booking Conditions, the fine print.
Get out of town and take a dekko at Napier’s outer Art Deco attractions. Our tour takes you along the Marine Parade and around the Napier Hill to historic Ahuriri, the oldest part of Napier and its original port, to the renowned National Tobacco Company building. Then on to the Deco houses and gardens of Marewa, Napier’s 1930s Art Deco suburb. You’ll return to the Art Deco Shop via Georges Drive, through suburbs reclaimed from swamps by engineers on the one hand and by the 1931 earthquake on the other, and then along Marine Parade.
See many of New Zealand's endangered birdlife and wildlife up close, including the primeval tuatara a "living fossil" reptile whose ancestors were on earth with the dinosaurs. Look out for the rare Takahe, nocturnal kiwis and the crazy Kaka - forest parrots that will entertain you with their antics. Operated by the Department of Conservation, the breeding programme is year round.
The road to Cape Palliser is dramatically scenic. This area of New Zealand has a rich history of early Maori occupation and heritage sites are part of the fascinating landscape. For the final part of the journey, the road clings to the edge of the coast, providing unstoppable views of Palliser Bay. Check out the quirky fishing village of Ngawihi before you drive on to the lighthouse.
Set in our vineyard with panoramic views of the Tararua Ranges Margrain Vineyard offer a unique opportunity to stay amongst the vines on a vineyard dedicated to producing fine wines. Close to other world renowned Martinborough wineries, vineyards, restaurants and the Village Square the Villas make an ideal base for your visit to the Wairarapa. 
Once bare paddocks are now home to 6 acres of tranquil paradise, thanks to the hardwork and devotion of Jeanette and Allan Gates.
We visit Stonehenge Aotearoa for a fascinating insight from a passionate lecturer into the wonders of astronomy. Rising out of the Wairarapa farm paddocks, this henge has to be seen to be believed. 
Wellington has a reputation for its picturesque natural harbour and green hillsides adorned with tiered suburbs of colonial villas. The CBD is sited close to Lambton Harbour, an arm of Wellington Harbour. Wellington Harbour lies along an active geological fault, which is clearly evident on its straight western coast. The land to the west of this rises abruptly, meaning that many of Wellington's suburbs sit high above the centre of the city.
Experience the history, culture, heritage, geography and much more in New Zealand's contemporary premier museum.
When the weather is fine we take a tour up the Bruce to get a close up view of Mount Ruapehu.
The Chateau Tongariro is a classic, landmark hotel at the foot of Mount Ruapehu in Tongariro National Park. Enjoy the stunning views and four star service and ambience.
World famous and a magnet for both local and overseas visitors, the Waitomo Glow-worm Caves are a must-see for any traveller. Take in the majestic and ornate limestone cave and marvel at the thousands of glow-worms that light up the caves in spectacular fashion. Your tour guide will deliver an informative and entertaining commentary, sharing stories, cultural legends and the natural wonders of this living masterpiece.
Art Deco buildings in Napier 
Explore historic Greytown 
View the Seal Colony, Cape Palliser 
Wander Wairarapa gardens 
Visit Te Papa Museum, Wellington