New Zealand punches well above its weight in food and wine. The country has several distinct wine regions, a thriving craft beer scene, fresh seafood that most of the world never gets to taste, and a farm-to-table culture built on necessity — small population, long supply chains, so you learn to use what’s local. This route connects the best of it in a 10-12 day trip that works as a standalone or as part of a larger South Island itinerary.
The Route at a Glance
Christchurch — Waipara Valley — Kaikoura — Marlborough — Nelson / Great Taste Trail — Wanaka — Central Otago (Cromwell / Clyde)
Total distance: ~950 km | Recommended: 10-12 days | Best season: Feb-May (harvest and autumn)
Christchurch: Where to Start
Christchurch has a genuinely good food scene, rebuilt after the 2010-11 earthquakes with more ambition than before. The Riverside Market (central city) has the best concentration of local produce, cheese, baked goods, and ready food. Saturday morning at the Riccarton Farmer’s Market is the local favourite — arrive early, the good stuff goes fast.
Waipara Valley — Canterbury Wine Country (~1 hour north)
The Waipara Valley is one of New Zealand’s lesser-known wine regions and one of its best. The limestone soils and sheltered microclimate produce exceptional Pinot Noir, Riesling, and Pinot Gris. Most wineries have cellar doors open for tasting — no appointment needed outside of peak summer.
- Pegasus Bay: One of the top-rated family wineries in NZ. The restaurant is excellent — book ahead for lunch.
- Black Estate: Biodynamic winery with views over the valley. Architecture and wine both worth the visit.
- Greystone: Certified organic. The Riesling is a benchmark for the region.
Van-friendly: Multiple freedom camping options nearby. The Waipara River area has good spots.
Kaikoura — Crayfish and Seafood (~2 hours north)
Kaikoura’s roadside crayfish stands are a NZ institution. A half crayfish (rock lobster) will cost NZ-60 depending on season — expensive, but it was in the ocean this morning. The town also has smoked salmon, blue cod, and green-lipped mussels from local boats.
Beyond the seafood, Kaikoura has whale watching, fur seal colonies, and dolphin swimming. Plan at least two nights.
Marlborough — New Zealand’s Wine Capital
Marlborough produces roughly 80% of New Zealand’s wine, almost all of it Sauvignon Blanc that ends up in wine shops across Europe. The Wairau Valley floor is one long carpet of vines.
- Cloudy Bay: The winery that put New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc on the world map. The cellar door is open daily — tasting fees apply but are credited against purchases.
- Brancott Estate: The original Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc vineyard, with a restaurant overlooking the vines and the mountains.
- Auntsfield: Boutique winery focusing on single-vineyard wines. Less touristy, more serious.
- Marlborough Farmers Market: Sunday mornings in Blenheim town centre. Local produce, artisan food, and the best flat whites in the region.
The Marlborough Wine Trail is a loose cycling/driving circuit connecting 35+ wineries. With a van, you drive between wineries and have a dedicated driver while the other enjoys the tastings. Plan accordingly.
Nelson — Great Taste Trail
Nelson is home to three significant food and drink industries: wine, craft beer, and hops. New Zealand’s hop-growing industry is centred in Nelson — most of the distinctive hops used in NZ and Australian craft beer are grown here.
- Founders Brewery: Nelson’s oldest craft brewery, set in a heritage park. Outdoor seating, food, and the full range on tap.
- Hop Federation: Small brewery near Motueka specialising in hop-forward beers. Tours available.
- The Great Taste Trail: 175 km cycling route connecting Nelson, Richmond, Motueka, and the Tasman coast. Wineries, breweries, orchards, and a chocolate factory en route. Sections are cyclable in a day; the full trail takes 3-4 days. E-bike hire available in Nelson.
- Nelson Saturday Market: One of the best in the South Island — artisan food, local produce, and crafts.
Wanaka — Pinot Country Gateway
Wanaka sits at the northern edge of Central Otago wine country. The town has a growing food scene to match its reputation as an outdoor destination.
- Rippon Vineyard: One of the most photographed vineyards in NZ — biodynamic Pinot Noir grown on the shores of Lake Wanaka with the mountains behind. The tasting room view alone is worth the stop.
- Wanaka Farmers Market: Thursday afternoons in the town centre during summer.
Central Otago — World-Class Pinot Noir (Cromwell, Clyde, Alexandra)
Central Otago is the southernmost wine region in the world and produces Pinot Noir that competes with Burgundy. The combination of hot dry summers, cold winters, and schist soils creates a distinctive intensity and fruit concentration.
- Felton Road: Consistently rated among the top Pinot Noir producers in the world. The Bannockburn sub-region. Cellar door open daily.
- Carrick Winery: Full restaurant with terrace overlooking the vines. Good food alongside the wine.
- Mt Difficulty: Panoramic views of the Cromwell basin from the tasting room. The Roaring Meg range is excellent value.
- Peregrine: Distinctive curved roof building near Queenstown. The flagship Pinot is one of the region’s benchmarks.
- Clyde and Alexandra: The old gold mining towns of the Clutha Valley have good cafes, a weekend market in Alexandra, and the Stone Fruit Festival in February (Central Otago is NZ’s main stone fruit growing region).
Practical Tips for a Foodie Van Trip
- Timing: Harvest season (Feb-April) is the best time to visit wine regions — cellar doors are busiest, the fruit is on the vines, and the landscape is at its most colourful. The stone fruit harvest in Central Otago (Jan-Feb) means cherries, apricots, and peaches sold direct from roadside stalls.
- Markets: Saturday and Sunday morning markets are the highlight in most towns. Plan your driving days around them — arrive Friday evening, market Saturday morning, move on Saturday afternoon.
- Self-catering: Our vans have full kitchens. Buy directly from producers and cook in the van — it’s cheaper than restaurants and often better quality. A bag of fresh mussels from the Marlborough Sounds, cooked in white wine on your van’s stove, is hard to beat.
- Designated driver: With two people in a van, rotate driving duties between wineries so everyone gets to taste.
Plan Your Foodie Route
This route works as a standalone South Island trip or combined with the Christchurch-to-Queenstown route. Pick up in Christchurch, drop off in Queenstown — or do the full loop. Get in touch to plan it.
See our full fleet here — all with fully equipped kitchens for self-catering.
