Accommodation
Iconic luxury lodges, remote alpine chalets and ultraluxe villas
Experiences
From the farmyard to the vineyard
Itineraries
From Northland to Southland and the West Coast to the East Cape
The perfect blend of country and city. The fertile soils of Hawke’s Bay cultivate delicious produce and bold red wines, while the capital city of Wellington is rich in art and museums, as well as trendy boutiques and bars.
Seemingly forever basking in long hot days full of sunshine, Hawke’s Bay is New Zealand’s oldest wine producing region and features some of the best food and wine experiences in the country. The fertile countryside also produces a huge variety of fruit and vegetables. Hawke’s Bay is anchored by the twin cities of Napier and Hastings, the former of which is world famous for the joyful Art Deco architecture that dominates the city and rest your head in one of the stylish hotels.
Wellington is a city oozing with creativity, and as far from a stitched up capital city as you can get. Walk the harbourfront trail lined with dozens of public art installations; shop the high end independent fashion stores of Lambton Quay or choose from upcycled pieces on bohemian Cuba Street; learn New Zealand’s history at the interactive Te Papa, Museum of New Zealand; discover how the fantastic minds at Weta Workshop create characters for blockbuster movies; and at the end of the day, wash it all down with a beer from one of the city’s dozens of craft beer bars that brew their own.
Luxury Destinations Hawke's Bay & Wellington
Explore a selection of our favourite locations
Luxury accommodation Hawke's Bay & Wellington
Experience some of our favourite places to stay
Luxury Experiences Hawke's Bay & Wellington
Discover a few of our favourite activities
Itinerary Inspirations
These itineraries have been designed to inspire you with a small selection of the many unique adventures to be had in this beautiful region. Once you have a feel for the destinations and experiences that best resonate with you, we will tailor every element of your perfect luxury travel itinerary, exclusively for you.
Take a weekend break to the Hawke's Bay
Visit the charming city of Napier and see the historic city centre, designed almost entirely in Art Deco architecture. Browse the city’s excellent galleries, fashion stores and antique shops for gorgeous Art Deco delights. Then explore the rich agricultural land outside the city, grazing on gourmet foods and tasting world class wines as you go.
- Inclusions
3 nights’ accommodation (3 nights at The Farm at Cape Kidnappers including all meals), 4 days rental vehicle including full insurance and GPS, private Art Deco highlights tour of Napier by vintage car, private guided food and wine cycling tour of the Hawke's Bay.
Take a weekend break to Wellington
Visit our bustling capital city of Wellington and experience the best of her attractions. Start with Te Papa, the Museum of New Zealand, which sits proudly on the waterfront. Enjoy a private guided tour of the museum tailored to suit your interests, and see some of treasures usually hidden from public view. Then travel to Weta Workshop, home of Sir Peter Jackson and the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit trilogies, as well as many other movies. Enjoy a guided tour of the workshop to see how the movies came alive. Finally, head to the hills above Wellington for a self guided walk through Zealandia, where you’ll easily spot many of our rarest native birds, including the takahe.
- Inclusions
3 nights’ accommodation (3 nights at The Sofitel including breakfast), return private transfers between Wellington Airport and your accommodation, private guided tour of Te Papa, shared guided tour of Weta Workshop, and admission to Zealandia.
Take a luxurious weekend break to Wharekauhau Country Estate
Two hours by road from Wellington, Palliser Bay is a remote and rarely visited corner of the country. But those who make the effort are richly rewarded with a stay at Wharekauhau Country Estate. The luxury lodge offers fantastic outdoor activities such as farm tours, quad bike tours, surfcasting, and tours to the seal colony and picturesque lighthouse at Cape Palliser. Also nearby are the boutique vineyards of the Wairarapa, famed for their bold reds.
- Inclusions
3 nights’ accommodation (3 nights at Wharekauhau Country Estate including pre dinner drinks, dinner and breakfast), 4 days rental vehicle including full insurance and GPS, full day private guided tour of the Wairarapa vineyards, and a farm tour at Wharekauhau.
LINGER LONGER
Two weeks in New Zealand's best lodges from north to south
This classic ultraluxe itinerary has you visiting the very best of New Zealand’s lodges throughout the country. Start in the city of Auckland and enjoy the wines of Waiheke Island before heading south to Taupo for a stay at iconic Huka Lodge. Delve into New Zealand farming life, with a luxury twist, at The Farm at Cape Kidnappers. Stay a grand Downtown-esque manor on the outskirts of Christchurch. And finally, as you head towards Queenstown, take two epic helicopter rides, one through the Southern Alps and another to Milford Sound, a pièce-de-résistance you’ll never forget!
- Inclusions
14 nights’ accommodation (2 nights at Park Hyatt Auckland, 2 nights at Huka Lodge, 3 nights at the Farm at Cape Kidnappers, 2 nights at Otahuna Lodge, 2 nights at The Lindis, and 3 nights at Matakauri Lodge, inclusive of breakfast daily, 7 lunches and 12 dinners), private car and driver transfers to and from airports and accommodations, private seaplane flight to Waiheke Island with a private wine and food tour of the island, private tour of the Hobbiton movie set, private guided hike and cruise of Lake Taupo, private wine and food tour of the Hawke’s Bay, green fees, club and cart hire at Cape Kidnappers Golf Course, cooking class at Otahuna Lodge, private tour of Banks Peninsula and Akaroa with dolphin cruise, private helicopter journey through the Southern Alps, private guided fly fishing day, private helicopter excursion to Milford Sound, and s private full day touring of Queenstown art and highlights.
Idyllic islands and stunning alpine lakes mixed with New Zealand's best wine regions
Explore the best of New Zealand’s coastal vineyard regions! Start on Waiheke Island where you can squeeze in some beach time between vineyard visits. Continue on to the Hawke’s Bay where you’ll find yet more vineyards, this time with views over to rugged Cape Kidnappers. Then head inland on the South Island to see New Zealand’s unique braided rivers washing down from the Southern Alps. Finish your journey journey in Queenstown, an alpine resort town perched on the edge of beautiful Lake Wakatipu.
- Inclusions
10 nights’ accommodation (2 nights at The Boatshed, 3 nights at Craggy Range Cottages, 2 nights at the Lindis Lodge, 3 nights at the Spire Queenstown, including breakfast daily, 2 lunches and 3 dinners), rental vehicle including full insurance and GPS, private wine and food tour of Waiheke Island, private guided cycling tour of the Hawke’s Bay vineyards, private guided horse trek, private helicopter to Milford Sound including a picnic on a peak, and a private wine tour of Central Otago.
Beaches, volcanoes and culture on this North Island only itinerary
Experience the best of what the North Island has on offer, from the beaches of Northland to the vineyards of Waiheke Island; the lakes and volcanoes of the Central Plateau; and the rich green farmlands of the Wairarapa.
- Inclusions
12 nights’ accommodation (2 nights at The Boatshed, 3 nights at The Lodge at Kauri Cliffs, 2 nights at Huka Lodge, 2 nights at Craggy Range, 3 nights at Wharekauhau Country Estate, including breakfast daily, 2 lunches and 8 dinners), rental vehicle including full insurance and GPS, private wine tour of Waiheke Island, private cruise through the Bay of Islands, private helicopter flight to Mount Tarawera and White Island, private wine tour of Hawke's Bay, and a private farm tour at Wharekauhau.
many many many thanks!!!!!!
We have been blown away by everything - hotels, food, people, golf, wine - the list is endless. You did an amazing job
Planning a 7 week trip is daunting enough without the complications of COVID cancellations, rebookings, and closures. Yet every connection, every transportation detail, every accommodation, every meal, everything was flawless.
From our arrival in Sydney .. to our last stop in Queenstown .. we will carry with us the best memories of our trip and all of your efforts. The incredible private boat tours .. the bespoke wine tours with the best guides .. our accommodations .. and the excellent itinerary and pacing, made for a perfect trip.
We can't thank Southern Crossings enough for making this trip all, and more, than we had imagined. You allowed us to see the best of your countries: the people, the beauty, the culture. Five stars, a blue ribbon, and a gold medal to everyone at Southern Crossings!
