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Driving Route : Classic NZ Wine Trail

Start: Napier, Hawke's Bay
Finish: Marlborough
Recommended Length: 6 Days
Distance: 444 km (277 miles)

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Route Summary

Travel time is approximate only, based on an average driving speed under normal road conditions.

  Travel time Km (Miles)
Day 1
Hawke's Bay
- - -
Day 2
Napier to Hastings
0.5 hrs 21 13
Day 3
Hastings to Martinborough
4 hrs 271 169
Day 4
Martinborough to Wellington
1.25 hrs 82 51
Day 5
Wellington to Picton
3.5 hrs 70 44
Day 6
Marlborough
- - -
Totals for Driving Route 9.25 hrs 444 277

Classic New Zealand Wine Trail

Explore the Classic NZ Wine Trail and taste world-renown wines, tour vineyards and breweries and learn of our heritage.

Begin your journey in the beautiful Hawke's Bay region. Hawke's Bay is loved for its sunny climate, fabulous beaches, sheltered coastal plains and long-established vineyards.

Discover a relaxed lifestyle conveniently close to main centres in Tararua. Here there are great fishing, eco-tourism and adventure opportunities. Visit the world famous National Wildlife Centre at Mount Bruce or the historic Tui Brewery in Mangatainoka.

Wairarapa is bordered by the rugged Tararua Mountains to the west and the wild Pacific Ocean to the east. Known for hot, languid summers, Wairarapa has many boutique vineyards, especially in Martinborough, Gladstone and Masterton.

Leaving the lovely Wairarapa region, journey south to New Zealand's Capital City, Wellington. Wellington is a vibrant city, surrounded by hills, a rugged coastline and a stunning harbour. Don't miss Te Papa Tongarewa, the ground-breaking interactive museum of New Zealand. Other places of interest in Wellington include the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Katherine Mansfield's Birthplace and ZEALANDIA, a wildlife sanctuary.

Cross the Cook Strait to Marlborough in the South Island of New Zealand. The crossing can be done by air or by ferry. The ferry trip through the Marlborough Sounds is absolutely gorgeous. If you miss out on this opportunity, go for a scenic cruise in the Sounds after arriving in Picton. Marlborough enjoys a year-round sunny climate and is New Zealand's largest grape growing and wine making region.

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The largest range of escorted & small group tours

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Explore NZ on a custom self-drive package holiday

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Bluebridge Cook Strait ferries

Cross Cook Strait and enjoy Kiwi hospitality.

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Get Travel Insurance

Travel insurance for independent travellers.