"Pinot to Palliser tour" - Guided tour to Cape Palliser vith lunch + winetasting

Travel from your Martinborough accommodation or Featherston train station through Wairarapa countryside to the southern coast of New Zealand’s North Island. This tour follows a scenic road to Cape Palliser, with wide coastal views across the open sea and, on a fine day, a glimpse of the South Island mountains.

Along the way, pass unusual land formations and the fishing village of Ngawi, where you’ll hear about Babe, the iconic pink bulldozer. The route continues past the fur seal colony and around the coast to Cape Palliser Lighthouse, the southernmost point of the North Island. If you feel like the climb, there are 253 steps to the top, with expansive views from the lighthouse area.

Lunch is served alfresco and includes freshly cooked fish and chips, salad, condiments, and fresh bread rolls, with a vegetarian option available. On the return, stop at the historic Lake Ferry Hotel for tea or coffee before heading back toward town.

The day finishes with a wine tasting at a rural Martinborough vineyard, where you can sample a line-up of gold award winning wines, including Martinborough pinot noir. This is a full day of coast, local character, and a relaxed food and wine stop, all linked by one of the region’s most distinctive drives.