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Home Destinations Australasia New Zealand Wellington and Martinborough Wine Regions

Wellington and Martinborough Wine Regions

A fine harbour city and a centre for culture and the arts it is also home to New Zealand’s Parliament, Victoria University and the famed Te Papa Museum.

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The last stop before reaching the South Island is New Zealand’s capital city, Wellington, with a host of restaurants, cafes, galleries and theatres and Wellington is well worth visiting for a few days.

The area surrounding Wellington boasts rugged coastlines, some excellent walking and several less known but wonderful wine producers.

Marlborough Sound, New Zealand
Marlborough Sound, New Zealand

Marlborough Sound

Depart Wellington and cross the Cook Strait to reach the South Island and Marlborough Sound; a network of waterways created from sunken river valleys. What remains is 1500 kilometres of weaving, picturesque coastline, perfect to explore on foot or sea kayak and regularly frequented by dolphin and orca.

Experiences

What do you really love doing? We curate your itinerary especially for you.

Wellington, New Zealand
 

Te Papa Museum

Explore the interactive Te Papa Museum in Wellington with displays on New Zealand’s history, culture and natural world, many using the latest technology.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Hobbiton, Matamata, New Zealand
 

Weta Workshop

Step into the world of cinema in Wellington at the Weta workshop, creators of Middle-earth. Join crew to learn the processes of turning the imaginary world into a reality.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Vineyard, Marlborough, New Zealand
 

Wine Tasting by Bike

Cycle between the vineyards of Marlborough sampling award-winning pinot noir before stopping for a crayfish lunch.

Suggested Holiday Idea

View over French Pass, Marlborough Sounds, New Zealand
 

Marlborough Sounds

Board the ferry and cross the Cook Strait through the spectacular Marlborough Sounds to the South Island. Cruise through 150 kilometres of coastline with forested hills sloping down to sandy bays and tiny islets.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Idea
New Zealand
New Zealand – Luxury Honeymoon
Discover both North and South Islands in style. This is the perfect honeymoon for intrepid newlyweds. With a theme of pure indulgence throughout, this holiday to New Zealand achieves the perfect balance of adventure and pampering.
16 days from £15,950pp
Rahimoana Villa, Infinity Pool, Eagles Nest, Bay of Islands, New Zealand
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Group tour
New Zealand
The Remote Sounds of New Zealand’s South
Slip into the furthest reaches of Fiordland on an intimate expedition cruise aboard an 18-guest yacht. Over 10 days, explore the great sounds and seldom-visited inlets, from Milford and Doubtful to remote Dusky and George Sound. 
Departing 16th July 2026
10 days from £4,465pp
Heritage Explorer viewed through trees, Heritage Expeditions, Fiordland, New Zealand
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Idea
New Zealand
New Zealand – South Island Self-drive
The most dramatic of New Zealand’s two islands, this self-drive holiday explores the South Island in-depth, taking in the best of the magnificent scenery and wildlife on offer.
16 days from £5,795pp
Llupins, Lake Tekapo
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Idea
New Zealand
Ultimate New Zealand Self-Drive
This 21-day self-drive itinerary offers a fantastic introduction to the great outdoors of New Zealand and covers highlights of both the North and the South Island. Wildlife tours, Maori life, scenic flights, glacier adventures, overnight cruises and more.
21 days from £6,495pp
Mount Cook and Lake Pukaki, New Zealand
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Need Inspiration?
Browse our New Zealand holiday ideas.

Our New Zealand experts have created and curated these holiday ideas to get you started. Take the time to search through them and find something to spark ideas for a unique adventure.

Idea
New Zealand
New Zealand – Luxury Honeymoon
Discover both North and South Islands in style. This is the perfect honeymoon for intrepid newlyweds. With a theme of pure indulgence throughout, this holiday to New Zealand achieves the perfect balance of adventure and pampering.
16 days from £15,950pp
Rahimoana Villa, Infinity Pool, Eagles Nest, Bay of Islands, New Zealand
View Holiday Idea
Group tour
New Zealand
The Remote Sounds of New Zealand’s South
Slip into the furthest reaches of Fiordland on an intimate expedition cruise aboard an 18-guest yacht. Over 10 days, explore the great sounds and seldom-visited inlets, from Milford and Doubtful to remote Dusky and George Sound. 
Departing 16th July 2026
10 days from £4,465pp
Heritage Explorer viewed through trees, Heritage Expeditions, Fiordland, New Zealand
View Cruise
Idea
New Zealand
New Zealand – South Island Self-drive
The most dramatic of New Zealand’s two islands, this self-drive holiday explores the South Island in-depth, taking in the best of the magnificent scenery and wildlife on offer.
16 days from £5,795pp
Llupins, Lake Tekapo
View Holiday Idea
Idea
New Zealand
Ultimate New Zealand Self-Drive
This 21-day self-drive itinerary offers a fantastic introduction to the great outdoors of New Zealand and covers highlights of both the North and the South Island. Wildlife tours, Maori life, scenic flights, glacier adventures, overnight cruises and more.
21 days from £6,495pp
Mount Cook and Lake Pukaki, New Zealand
View Holiday Idea
View all holiday ideas View all cruises

Meet our experts

A passion for travel runs right through every one of our experts - meaning they're always ready with first-hand insight about their specialist countries.

Clare Diving in Indonesia
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Clare Wiggins

My love for Asia began with living there. Based in Vietnam and then Malaysia, I also explored the surrounding regions before eventually finding my way back home via China and the Trans-Siberian railway. At Steppes Travel, I get to share that love for Asia every day, helping clients experience the places I know best as if they were locals themselves.

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Explore other regions

Mount Cook and Lake Tekapo

Enjoy one of New Zealand's most scenic drives towards World Heritage site Aoraki Mt Cook National Park with beautiful mountains and lakes.

Road to Mount Cook, New Zealand

Nelson, Marlborough & Abel Tasman

Marlborough basks in year-round sunshine, providing perfect conditions for walking, mountain biking, sea kayaking and vineyard explorations.

Abel Tasman National Park, New Zealand

Christchurch and Kaikoura

The Canterbury landscape covers the northeastern part of New Zealand’s South Island and ranges from miles of silvery beach to the jagged…

Kaikoura, New Zealand

Dunedin and the Catlins

The Otago Peninsula is rich in flora and fauna with diverse wildlife, idyllic fishing villages and rolling green pastures.

Tunnel Beach, Dunedin Coastline, New Zealand

South Island West Coast and Glaciers

This strip of the South Island boasts five of New Zealand’s 14 national parks and is a rugged land of wild beaches,…

Franz Josef Glacier, Snow Landing, New Zealand

Queenstown and Wanaka

Today Queenstown and the nearby Fiordland National Park is treasured for its magnificent scenery and adventure opportunities.

Lake Wanaka Tree

Bay of Islands

With a sub-tropical climate, you can enjoy beach and water activities, explore one of the many nature trails, visit the ancient Kauri…

Paihia, Bay of Islands, New Zealand

Volcanic Heartland

The centre of New Zealand’s North Island is also the heart of the countries volcanic activity. At its most active some 2000…

Champagne Pool, Wai O Tapu, New Zealand

Hawkes Bay and Napiers Wineries

New Zealand's leading producer of red wines and has the greatest concentration of Art Deco architecture.

Gannets, Cape Kidnappers, New Zealand

Auckland and the Coromandel

Auckland is New Zealand’s largest and most multicultural city and is known as the City of Sails for its fantastic sailing opportunities.

Cathedral Cove

Why Choose Steppes?

Our knowledge, curiosity and expertise set us apart, driving us to create remarkable holidays and Beautiful Adventures tailored perfectly to you, carefully curated to help protect and conserve our planet.

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