The Original Green Gourmet

"Simple pleasures, good company and great experiences". The Original Green Gourmet Journey will take you to indulge and explore New Zealand's best food and wine regions.

Itinerary Overview

Recommended Days:

13 Days / 12 Nights

Best time of year:

Anytime

Itinerary Highlights

Enjoy accommodation in stunning settings, freshest food from farm to table and dine with your hosts.

Abel Tasman, Nelson Region

Start your journey at the top of the South Island close to Abel Tasman National Park. Nelson has a mediterranean climate and is a great produce area.

Recommended Activities

  • Kayaking
  • Browse the boutique stores
  • Stop for coffee
Abel Tasman, Nelson Region

Spend the day in the picturesque Abel Tasman National Park aboard a luxury catamaran. Stop to swim or kayak, take a short hike or drop a line, enjoy your tasty lunch on board.

Recommended Activities

  • Classic Cars Museum
  • Kayak
  • Seals & Walk
  • Gourmet Wine Tour
Punakaikai
5 hours
319 kms

Your drive from Abel Tasman National Park to Charleston, takes you through Motueka and Buller Gorge. You will get your first glimpse of the West Coast on your way through Charleston to Punakaikai.

Recommended Activities

  • Pancake Rocks and Blowholes
  • Hiking
Punakaikai

Today you will adventure out on the Rainforest Train and Cave Rafting, taking you through the native bush before you enter the caves with the best glow-worms in New Zealand. Then float through the caves and emerge to gently raft downstream.

Bruce Bay - Fox Glacier
4 hours
317 kms

Today you will drive through Hokitika, Franz Josef and Fox Glacier to reach the tiny settlement of Bruce Bay which is right on the beach with views of Mt Cook.

Recommended Activities

  • Stroll along the beach
  • Soak in a Hot Tub
Bruce Bay - Fox Glacier

Take a short drive into Fox Glacier today whether it be a bit of adventure or just to browse through this quaint village.

Recommended Activities

  • Fox Glacier Helihike
  • Blue Pools adventure
Wanaka
2 hours
215 kms

The scenery changes yet again as you cross the Haast Pass, continue the drive passed Lake Hawea into Wanaka.

You may want to stop off on the way and do a short walk, or pick up a mountain bike and ride the cycle track along the Clutha River.

Recommended Activities

  • Puzzling World
  • Wanaka Wine Tour
Wanaka

On your second stay in Wanaka, seek a little adventure on the 4WD journey exploring terrain that most locals haven't seen. Take in the breath taking views over Lake Wanaka to see the snow capped peaks.

Recommended Activities

  • 4WD Safari
Wanaka

This day could be a leisure day and just wonder around Wanaka Village, or take the full day classic Central Otago Wine Tour to capture the beautiful scenery and taste some great wines.

Recommended Activities

Full Day Classic Central Otago Wine Tour

Queenstown
2 hours
215 kms

You are only an hour away from Wanaka to Queenstown, so after a few full on days at Wanaka you may want to treat yourself to a soak in the Hot Pools to finish off the day, or take the Gondola and enjoy a buffet dinner to take in the magnificent views.

Recommended Activities

  • Onsen Hot Pools
  • Skyline Gondola
Queenstown

Make your last day in Queenstown a memorable one. Take a gentle cycle ride with wine tastings making sure you taste the famous Gibbston Valley Pinot Noirs.

Recommended Activities

  • Shotover Jet
  • Alpine Snow Landing
Journeys End

Your final day is here you can either fly out of Queenstown or drive to Dunedin or Christchurch for your departure home.