South Wairarapa Scenic Private Tour

Your Scenic South Wairarapa Private Tour begins with a drive through the Hutt Valley to the lush Kaitoke Regional Park, nestled in the foothills of the Tararua Ranges. Here, you’ll stroll through native rainforest, marvel at majestic kahikatea trees, and visit the enchanting location used as Rivendell in The Lord of the Rings trilogy.

A short drive brings us to the Remutaka Summit, 555 metres above sea level, where you’ll see the Remutaka Crossing Monument, honouring the 60,000 New Zealand troops who marched this route during WWI. From here, it’s just 10 minutes to Featherston, where we stop at C’est Cheese to sample an array of exceptional local and international cheeses crafted by owner and cheesemaker Paul Broughton.

Continuing north, we visit the charming town of Greytown, home to Schoc Chocolates, where you’ll taste a range of artisan chocolates—perfect for indulging or purchasing as a treat. Then, it’s off to Martinborough, the North Island’s Pinot Noir capital, for wine tastings at two wineries, accompanied by a delicious lunch.

The adventure then takes us to Cape Palliser, the southernmost point of the North Island. Here, you’ll climb 253 steps to the iconic Cape Palliser Lighthouse, rewarded with breathtaking views over the South Pacific Ocean and the South Island. Nearby, we visit the Cape Palliser Seal Colony, observing these incredible animals from a safe distance. Be sure to follow Department of Conservation guidelines to protect both the seals and yourself during your visit.

After visiting the seals, we stop in the seaside village of Ngawi, famous for having more tractors per capita than anywhere in the world—a quirky and memorable photo opportunity! On our way back to Wellington, we’ll call into Greytown Honey for an educational and delicious honey tasting session.

We’ll return to Wellington, arriving at your selected drop-off location around 6:30 pm. (Itinerary subject to change)