Martinborough Winery, 10-Hour Day Trip

Martinborough Winery and South Wairarapa Wild Coast Tour

★ 4.8 24 reviews

from $219 per person

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Duration: 10 hours
Meeting point: Wellington hotel pickup
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
Meal: Meal included
Run by: Zozo Travel Limited

Overview

This full day tour from Wellington packs a rainforest walk, three tastings in the Wairarapa towns, a winery lunch, and a rugged southern coastline into roughly 10 hours. It starts with a guided loop walk through native forest in Kaitoke Regional Park, crossing a swing bridge, then climbs over the Remutaka Ranges with a photo stop at the summit. From there the road drops into the Wairarapa wine country.

The middle of the day belongs to Martinborough. There is a cheese tasting at a Featherston deli, chocolate tasting in Greytown, and a cellar door wine experience with lunch at Poppies, a vineyard restaurant, where the itinerary allows an hour and a half. Several reviewers praise the food on the tour, with more than one naming the vineyard lunch as a standout part of the day.

On a windswept summer morning, strong coastal light washes over the red and white banded tower above its grassy slope while a few fur seals haul out on rocks at the foot of the hillside.

The afternoon turns toward the wild coast: Ngawi, a fishing village where tractors haul boats ashore, the Ngawi fur seal colony, and an optional climb to the Cape Palliser Lighthouse. The day winds down with a lakeside walk at Lake Onoke and a main-course dinner at the Lake Ferry Hotel, or at the Royal Hotel in Featherston depending on availability. Pickup and drop-off are included, with around two dozen collection points across central Wellington. It suits travellers who want wine, food and coastal scenery in one organised outing without driving themselves.

Under crisp winter light, the white Cape Palliser lighthouse with bold red horizontal bands crowns its grassy headland, while fur seals doze on a black volcanic reef below, kelp fronds glistening between pooling surf and weathered boulders.

What's Included

Included

Fully guided tour with live onboard commentary
A visit at the local cheese shop and deli
Cellar door experience including wine tastings
Chocolate tastings
Tapas-style lunch or vineyard platter lunch (additional drinks at guest's own expense)
Dinner at the historic Lake Ferry Hotel or at the Royal Hotel (main course only; additional drinks at guest's own expense)
Loop walk through pristine native rainforest
Photo stop at Remutaka Summit
Visit the Ngawi fur seal colony
Climb to the Cape Palliser Lighthouse (optional)

Not Included

Any optional purchases (cheese, chocolate or wine to take away etc)
Additional drinks with meals (lunch/dinner) are at guest's own expense

NZ fur seals asleep on a flat sun-warmed rock at Sinclair Head, a flipper covering a face, small waves behind.

Itinerary

Hotel pickupPickup is offered from 23 locations around central Wellington, including Wellington Station. The van then heads out toward Kaitoke Regional Park.
Kaitoke rainforest walkA 30-minute stop with a guided loop walk through native rainforest, including a swing bridge crossing.
Remutaka SummitA 15-minute break at the summit for photos and views, followed by the scenic descent toward the Wairarapa.
Featherston and GreytownA 15-minute stop in Featherston with free time, shopping and a cheese tasting at a local deli, plus a chocolate tasting in Greytown.
Poppies MartinboroughAn hour and a half at the vineyard for a cellar door wine tasting and a tapas-style or platter lunch. Extra drinks are at the traveller's expense.
Cape Palliser LighthouseAn hour at the cape for sightseeing and the optional lighthouse climb, with coastal scenery along the drive.
Seal colony and Lake OnokeA 15-minute stop at the seal colony viewpoint, then a 15-minute lakeside break at Lake Onoke.
Dinner and drop-offDinner, a main course only, at the Lake Ferry Hotel or the Royal Hotel in Featherston depending on availability, followed by drop-off at the 23 Wellington locations.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical things are worth knowing before booking this one, from the pace of the stops to what the weather on the coast can do.

A fur seal pup resting on a wet volcanic rock shelf at Cape Palliser, kelp and surf behind.

Dress for wind. A jacket is advised because the South Wairarapa coast can be windy and exposed. Warm clothing and sunscreen are both on the suggested packing list, since the day spans forest, hills and open coastline.
Wear good shoes. Comfortable shoes are recommended, with a note that some walking is on uneven surfaces. The forest loop is 30 minutes and the lighthouse climb is optional, so travellers can sit that one out.
Food and drink. Lunch at the vineyard and a main-course dinner are included, along with cheese, chocolate and wine tastings. Extra drinks with meals are at the traveller's own expense, and takeaway purchases such as wine or cheese are not covered.

Frequent stops. Several reviewers praise the pacing, saying the frequent stops break up the drive and the day never felt rushed. Expect short stops of around 15 minutes at several points, with longer stays at the winery and the cape.
Seal viewing. The itinerary includes the Ngawi fur seal colony, and multiple reviewers describe seeing the seals in their natural habitat. The itinerary also schedules a photo stop at Remutaka Summit, so a camera earns its place in the bag.
Bring ID. The operator asks travellers to carry a passport or ID card. Wine tasting is part of the day, so having identification on hand is a sensible precaution.

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Common issues. The cheese tasting in Featherston drew a note from one reviewer who felt a proper organised tasting should have been arranged there. Another found the back seat of the van tight when shared by four people. Participants must be able to get in and out of the vans unassisted using steps and grab rails, and guides can decline participation at the start if this requirement cannot be met, with a full refund in those cases. The dinner venue also depends on availability, so travellers may end up at either hotel rather than choosing one.

Common Questions

Is Pickup Included?

Yes. The operator offers pickup from 23 locations around central Wellington, including Wellington Station, Sofitel Wellington and the InterContinental. Drop-off at the end of the day covers the same set of locations.

What Meals And Tastings Are Included?

Lunch, either tapas-style or a vineyard platter, and a main-course dinner are included, along with wine, cheese and chocolate tastings. Additional drinks at lunch and dinner, and any takeaway purchases of cheese, chocolate or wine, are at the traveller's own expense.

How Long Is The Tour?

The tour runs for 10 hours. It covers a lot of ground, from the Remutaka Ranges to the Wairarapa wine region and the south coast, so expect a full day with several short stops along the way.

Is The Cape Palliser Lighthouse Climb Compulsory?

No. The lighthouse climb is optional. Travellers who prefer not to climb can stay below, and reviewers describe the coastal views from the surrounding area as a highlight in their own right.

What Is The Cancellation Policy?

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the tour for a full refund. If a guide declines participation at the start because a traveller cannot board the van unassisted, a full refund is also provided.

What Should I Bring?

The operator suggests a passport or ID card, comfortable shoes, warm clothing and sunscreen. A jacket is specifically recommended for the wind on the coast, and a camera is handy given the number of photo stops.