Your day starts being picked up in Wellingtoat your hotel or cruise ship port. You will enjoy a scenic drive through the Hutt Valley and over the Rimutaka Hill into Featherston. On the way we can stop at Kaitoke Regional Park which was used in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. If you like, take the 10 minute loop track walk ,over a swing bridge and under the ancient forest trees.

Stop at a local cafe and enjoy coffee/tea and scones.

Enjoy a wine tasting at Palliser Estate and experience their award-winning Martinborough wines - some of the best from the Wairarapa region, and New Zealand. During our guided wine tastings, Belen, our trained sommelier, and her Cellar Door Team will introduce you to the character of Martinborough through a selection of our Palliser Estate wines - all sourced from our vineyards in and around this beautiful wine village, on the Martinborough Terrace. The Palliser Estate terroir is well known for producing acclaimed Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Guided wine tastings are approximately 45min, and you'll hear about Palliser's history, their land, their sustainability and organic journey, and of course, their gorgeous wines.

Enjoy 2 course lunch with a wine tasting tray at the Runholder. Nestled between vineyard rows and the edge of the Martinborough Terrace, The Runholder is the home of Te Kairanga, Martinborough Vineyard and Lighthouse Gin.

Enjoy a visit to the famous Schoc Chocolates in Greytown and sample their unique blend of award-winning, gourmet chocolate and self-exploration. Schoc chocolates combines the joy and health benefits of consuming quality chocolate with a deeper understanding of one’s inner self. With 60 flavours in the chocolate tablet range alone, there is a chocolate that is perfect for you. From classic strawberry or heavenly caramel to the more challenging - and hugely popular - whole lime and chilli, sea salt, pink peppercorn, to name but a few.

Driving back to Wellington, stop off at the Rimutaka Summit , a resting point for infantry during training between 1915-18. A five minute walk provides great views across the Wellington region.