You don’t need to be an oenophile to road trip the Classic New Zealand Wine Trail, says ANZCRO. In fact, you don’t even need to LIKE wine to enjoy this 380-kilometre self-drive journey. While wine is in the name, the trail is also famous for its epic food, culture, and Kiwi hospitality. Discover ANZCRO’s three customisable, fully commissionable packages to win(e) your clients over.
Across Aotearoa New Zealand, three regions are responsible for 80% of its wine production, making it a no-brainer that this dedicated tourism route has become one of the country’s most compelling self-drive journeys.
Road tripping the Classic New Zealand Wine Trail is appealing year-round, with shoulder season particularly favoured by Australian travellers. Whether to experience autumnal colours, cosy vinos by open fires, sampling spring releases, or to dine al fresco on long summer days, it’s always stunning.
Do you know there are over 230 wineries and more than 100 cellar doors spanning the region trail?
No, and you don’t need to, because the award-winning team at ANZCRO have already done the work, building compelling itineraries from scratch, so you can sparkle like a Cuvée Marlborough Brut in front of your clients.
Touring the Wine Trail
Around 50 direct flights a week connect East Coast Australians to Wellington, the Classic Wine Trail’s international hub, along with one-stop flights from Perth and Adelaide.
Direct from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, the Gold Coast, via Wellington, the trail tours the lush wine regions of Hawke’s Bay, Wairarapa, and Marlborough.
This up-and-coming route is more than a fabulous excuse to drink world-class wines; it’s also a rich journey filled with decadent culinary treats, cultural experiences, and fun-filled nature-based adventures.
Easy regional connectivity – including the 3.5-hour Interislander ferry ride between Wellington and Marlborough – affords the trail a level of ease other road trip destinations cannot offer.
Your clients can choose a short-stay getaway or a more immersive adventure across the following destinations:
- Hawke’s Bay: One of only eleven Great Wine Capitals of the World, Hawke’s Bay is known for its Chardonnay and Syrah (Shiraz), along with iconic Art Deco architecture and premium winery dining.
- Wairarapa: Only three hours’ drive from Hawke’s Bay, the boutique Pinot Noir producers in Wairarapa impress. The region is also an International Dark Sky Reserve – one of only two in New Zealand – elevating any stay here.
- Wellington: It’s an easy 1.5 hours of driving from Wairarapa to Wellington. It’s not only Aotearoa New Zealand’s capital, but a culinary capital, too, with multiple award-winning restaurants, enticing food tours, and a renowned coffee culture.
- Marlborough: As the home of world-famous Sauvignon Blancs and over 30 cellar doors, the Marlborough wine region – New Zealand’s largest – put the country on the wine map. The Interislander ferry connects Wellington and Marlborough on a 3.5-hour journey that’s more wow and OMG than A-to-B.
Who is the Wine Trail for?
The Classic New Zealand Wine Trail is popular with wine lovers, of course, but also for couples seeking a romantic getaway, gourmands, and returnees keen to go beyond SH1.
The route is ideal for travellers celebrating a milestone, and for people who say, “because it’s wine o’clock somewhere”.
No matter the type of traveller you book, know that ANZCRO’s high-value, thoughtful self-drive itineraries are bookable!
With hand-selected accommodation and experiences, each itinerary is fully customisable and commissionable. Expand it easily to include flights, upgraded accommodation, and additional touring.
Classic NZ Wine Trail
This 8-day Classic New Zealand Wine Trail itinerary is charming throughout, with 4-star stays, culture-rich tours, and the freedom to explore at one’s own pace.
This package includes:
- 2 nights at the Rydges Wellington in a Cityview Room
- 2 nights at Parehua Resort in Martinborough in a Winemakers Cottage
- 2 nights in Porters Boutique Hotel in a Deluxe Room in Havelock North with $50 breakfast credit, 3-course Chef’s Menu at Malo, and a complimentary bottle of wine
- 1 final night at the Rydges Wellington in a Cityview Room
- A Big Foody Tour in Wellington
- Full-day Martinborough Wine Tour
- Aotearoa Wine Experience at Smith & Sheth
- 8-day Ezi Car Rental in a Toyota RAV4 (or similar) with ULTRA cover
From $2,519 per person twin share between April to September.
For travellers wishing to include Marlborough in the mix, ANZCRO’s 12-day Indulgent Classic NZ Wine Trail is sure to please. Flying into Wellington and out of Christchurch, your clients receive the above inclusions, plus Interislander ferry tickets to Picton, 4-star accommodation in Blenheim, Kaikoura, and Christchurch, and a Marlborough Wines tour.
There’s also the Classic NZ Wine Trail, a 14-day southbound journey from Auckland to Christchurch, weaving in the best wine experiences. Highlights include the Skyline Gondola with wine tasting, a Gin and Wine Tasting Tour in Napier, and half-day wine tours in both Martinborough and Marlborough.
Learn more
To explore the three itineraries and inclusions in more detail, head to ANZCRO’s dedicated Classic New Zealand Wine Tour web page.
To discuss options and tailor packages, email the ANZCRO team at anzcro@anzcro.com.au.
Psst: Did you read the news that ANZCRO has appointed two new BDMs?
This article is brought to you by ANZCRO and Classic New Zealand Wine Trail.
