Cape Palliser makes an unusual partner for a wine tour. After tasting local produce in Martinborough, you head south to a wind-shaped coast, a village where tractors are part of the working waterfront, a large fur seal colony and a lighthouse reached by a steep climb.
I like the mix of vineyard lunch and local tastings with the open-air drama of the coast, and the small-group limit of 11 makes a long day feel more personal. The main trade-off is time: expect about 10 hours on the road, with a full schedule and some exposure to changeable weather.
- What makes this tour worth considering
- From Wellington to the Remutaka summit
- Martinborough’s wine and food stops
- Cape Palliser’s rugged coast and Ngawi
- Lake Onoke and dinner before the return
- What the price covers, and what to check
- Who should book the Martinborough and wild coast day
- FAQ
- How long is the Martinborough Wine & Wild Coast Tour?
- Where does the tour depart from?
- What is included in the tour price?
- Are wine tastings included?
- Is lunch included?
- Where is dinner served?
- How many people can join the tour?
- What should I bring?
- Can the tour be cancelled because of weather or low numbers?
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What makes this tour worth considering
- Martinborough wine and food: Taste wine and sample local cheese, chocolate and fresh fish, with lunch at a vineyard.
- A crossing of the Remutaka Range: The drive takes you through the Hutt Valley and over the summit, adding wide views and a change of scenery between Wellington and Wairarapa.
- Cape Palliser’s fur seals: See the North Island’s largest permanent fur seal colony from the coast. Keep your distance and do not feed the animals.
- A lighthouse with a climb: The Cape Palliser Lighthouse rewards the effort with sweeping sea views, though the climb may not suit everyone.
- Ngawi and Lake Onoke: See the fishing village’s distinctive tractor community, then take a short lakeside walk before dinner.
- A small shared tour: The group is capped at 11 people, with lunch, dinner, food tastings and transport included.
👉 See our pick of the 7 Best Guided Tours In Wellington
From Wellington to the Remutaka summit
The day begins with pickup in central Wellington, with complimentary service from selected hotels and the Wellington Cruise Terminal. The main meeting point is the Wakefield Street pickup lane beside Takina Convention and Exhibition Centre, at 217 Wakefield Street. Arrive 15 minutes early if you are meeting the vehicle there; shared hotel pickups can run early or late.
Departure is scheduled between 9:30 and 10:00, depending on pickup arrangements. From the city, the route follows the Hutt Valley and climbs toward the Remutaka Summit. The drive is part of the experience, not just a transfer: you leave the urban setting behind and cross into the open country of Wairarapa.
The summit is a natural pause in the day’s scenery, with views across the ranges. Weather can affect what you see, so bring the recommended raincoat or poncho rather than relying on a clear forecast. The tour can also include a stop at Rivendell, though it is better to treat that as a possible extra rather than a guaranteed highlight.
A guided drive is useful here because the route is long and the guide provides live commentary along the way. Mike, Phil and Michael are among the guides who have led this tour. Their individual style may differ, but the guide is an important part of the day: you have someone to connect the stops, explain the region and keep a shared group moving.
You can also read our reviews of more wine tours in Wellington
Martinborough’s wine and food stops
Martinborough is the tour’s first major reward. The area is known for its vineyards, and the schedule includes wine tasting at a Martinborough vineyard as well as a vineyard lunch. The precise winery and meal details are not specified, so do not book expecting a particular estate, menu or wine selection.
Food tastings extend beyond wine. Cheese, chocolate and fresh fish are part of the local-produce stops, and the package includes tastings at food stalls. That variety makes the food portion more than a single winery visit. You get a taste of several local products before heading for the coast.
Lunch is included and scheduled for around 12:30. This matters on a 10-hour outing: you do not have to plan a separate restaurant stop or squeeze in a meal between visits. Still, if you have dietary needs, check with the operator before booking, since the available information does not describe menu choices or accommodations.
The pace is a balance between sampling and travel. You will have time to enjoy the food, but this is not a slow, wine-focused day spent lingering at one cellar door. The coast takes up a substantial part of the itinerary, so choose this tour if you want both food and scenery, not if you want a full day devoted to wine tasting.
Cape Palliser’s rugged coast and Ngawi
After Martinborough, the tour heads for the southern Wairarapa coast. The road follows the bay with broad, uninterrupted sea views, then reaches Ngawi, a small fishing village known for its unusual community of tractors. That working-village detail gives the stop a different character from a polished wine-country visit.
The coast is exposed and dramatic, but conditions can change. A raincoat or poncho is a sensible item to pack, and comfortable footwear will help if you plan to walk around at the stops. The operator asks you not to feed wildlife or do anything that could damage the local ecosystem.
Cape Palliser is the day’s signature stretch. The area is home to the North Island’s largest permanent fur seal colony, and the tour gives you a chance to see the animals close to their coastal habitat. Keep a respectful distance, follow your guide’s instructions and remember that wildlife sightings are not a performance staged for visitors.
From the coast, you can climb to the Cape Palliser Lighthouse for sweeping views over the sea. The climb is part of the appeal, but it is also a physical consideration. If stairs or steep climbs are a concern, ask the operator about the current conditions and how much time is available before you book.
A past route has included the lighthouse and seals alongside the village and coastal viewpoints, making this section a strong counterpoint to the vineyards. You trade tasting-room comfort for salt air, rugged shoreline and a little exertion. That contrast is the reason this tour feels more varied than a standard winery outing.
Lake Onoke and dinner before the return
After the coastal stops, the itinerary includes a short walk beside Lake Onoke, also called Lake Ferry. The guide shares information about the lake’s history, then the group sits down for dinner. It is a welcome change of pace after a day of driving, walking and sampling.
Dinner is planned at the historic Lake Ferry Hotel, or at the Royal Hotel in Featherston when availability requires a change. Fish and chips have been a popular choice, and seafood chowder has also been enjoyed on the tour, but the meal and venue can vary. Dinner is included, which adds practical value and means you are not searching for food late in the evening.
The return to Wellington is scheduled for around 20:00, with drop-off at your hotel or personal address. Allow for a long day and a late arrival. If you have evening plans, leave enough slack for traffic or weather changes rather than booking a tight connection.
What the price covers, and what to check
The tour’s advertised starting prices are not consistent across the supplied price details: one shows US$190.85, while the full-day package is shown from US$207.45. Confirm the price at checkout, including the exact date and any applicable booking terms.
For that fare, the package includes round-trip transfers, an English-speaking driver-guide, live commentary, lunch, dinner, attraction admission, tax and food tastings. Tips and personal expenses are not included. Since two meals and transport are bundled into a long day, the price can be good value if you would otherwise pay separately for tastings, meals and a rental car or guided transport.
The value is less clear if you mainly want a relaxed wine day. You are paying for a broad route that reaches the coast, not extended time at wineries. On the other hand, driving the Remutaka route and coastal roads yourself means taking responsibility for the full day behind the wheel, so the guided format has a practical advantage.
This is a join-in tour with a maximum group size of 11. That is small enough to feel more sociable than a large coach, while still requiring you to share the day’s pace and stops with others. Infants and children must be included in the passenger headcount. Pets are not permitted.
The legal drinking age in New Zealand is 18, and you should bring valid identification if you plan to drink wine. Use a mobile voucher for entry. If extreme weather or another unforeseen event forces cancellation, the operator may offer a new date or a refund; a minimum participant number also applies.
Who should book the Martinborough and wild coast day
Book this tour if you want a full-day sampler of Wairarapa: wine, local food, mountain views, a working fishing village, seals and a lighthouse. It suits visitors with one free day in Wellington who prefer a guided route and do not want to manage the driving themselves.
It is also a good fit if your group has different interests. A wine fan gets a vineyard stop, while someone more drawn to wildlife and coastal scenery gets Cape Palliser. The guide’s commentary helps tie those very different places together, and the included meals reduce the small decisions that can eat up a day.
Think twice if you want a leisurely winery visit, have limited mobility for the lighthouse climb, or dislike long days in a vehicle. The tour covers a lot of ground, and the weather may shape how enjoyable the exposed coastal stops feel. For the best chance of enjoying it, pack a rain layer, wear comfortable footwear and keep your schedule clear until the evening.
Martinborough Wine & Wild Coast Tour
“Mike, our tour guide, made the trip fun and enjoyable. He is very knowledgeable about New Zealand and shared lots of interesting information along…”
FAQ
How long is the Martinborough Wine & Wild Coast Tour?
It is a full-day tour of about 10 hours. Departure is scheduled between 9:30 and 10:00, with a return to Wellington around 20:00.
Where does the tour depart from?
Pickup is available from selected centrally located Wellington hotels and the Wellington Cruise Terminal. The meeting point is the Wakefield Street pickup and drop-off lane at Takina Convention and Exhibition Centre, 217 Wakefield Street.
What is included in the tour price?
The package includes round-trip transfers, an English-speaking driver-guide, live commentary, lunch, dinner, attraction admission, tax and food tastings. Personal expenses and tips are not included.
Are wine tastings included?
Yes. The tour includes wine tasting at a Martinborough vineyard, as well as food tastings featuring local produce such as cheese, chocolate and fresh fish.
Is lunch included?
Yes. Lunch is included and is scheduled at a vineyard around 12:30. Specific menu options are not provided.
Where is dinner served?
Dinner is planned at the Lake Ferry Hotel, or at the Royal Hotel in Featherston subject to availability. Dinner is included.
How many people can join the tour?
The join-in tour has a maximum group size of 11 people. Infants and children must be included in the passenger headcount.
What should I bring?
Bring a raincoat or poncho, as the coastal weather can change. If you plan to drink wine, bring valid identification to prove you are at least 18.
Can the tour be cancelled because of weather or low numbers?
Yes. The operator may cancel for extreme weather, unforeseen events or if the minimum number of participants is not met. If the operator cancels, you may be offered a reschedule or full refund.
