Marlborough, Abel Tasman & Kaikoura holidays

No trip to Marlborough would be complete without a wine-tasting session. This esteemed region prides itself on its much-loved sauvignon blanc – which makes up three-quarters of its produce – but you’ll also be able to try chardonnay, pinot noir, pinot gris and syrah.

There are dozens of wineries in Marlborough, including some big names you’ll recognise from your local supermarket, like Brancott Estate and Cloudy Bay. Spend a day on a guided Marlborough wine tour – either in a minibus or on bikes – where you’ll be able to visit several vineyards and learn about the vine-to-wine process.

You can also visit Marlborough’s cellar doors independently – but, if you do decide to go it alone, try to take in a range of wineries, as some of the smaller ones are real gems. You could pack a picnic for a tasting at family-run Spy Valley. Try delicious vintages at Fromm Winery, where all the produce is organic. Or sip white, red and rosé varieties at Villa Maria, New Zealand’s most-awarded winery.

Wine is undoubtedly a major draw of a holiday to Marlborough, but there’s a lot more to discover beyond the vineyards.

The waterways of Marlborough Sounds make up a fifth of New Zealand’s coastline, so you’ll find plenty of things to do here. You can go on a dolphin-watching trip, or dive down to rusting shipwrecks. Charter a boat through the scenic Sounds and explore at your leisure, or book a skippered sailing and let someone else do all the work. Want to go kayaking? There are lots of picturesque spots in Marlborough, but Okiwi Bay is our favourite.

Back on dry land, you can hike or bike the Queen Charlotte Track – or at least part of it. The whole path takes about five days to walk, but the stunning views are worth the effort. Or you could tackle part of The Link Pathway. This 26-mile route joins up Havelock, Picton and Anakiwa, and offers sweeping vistas over Marlborough Sounds and the surrounding countryside. Keen cyclists should also check out Wither Hills Farm Park, where the trails range from easy pathways to daredevil slopes.

Perfectly formed, Abel Tasman is the smallest national park in New Zealand. But what it lacks in size it more than makes up for in substance. A mishmash of pretty beaches, dramatic cliffs and luscious forest, this place is a haven for adventurers and nature-lovers.

You’ll find lots of exciting things to do in Abel Tasman National Park. Don your hiking boots and walk along the meandering trails, or discover the area on horseback. Or, why not book yourself a spot on an organised boat trip? You can sunbathe on deck as you sail across the turquoise waters, before jumping into the sea for a spot of snorkelling. Alternatively, opt for a guided kayak tour. You can paddle across the ocean – keeping your eyes peeled for seals and dolphins – and then unwind on a hidden golden beach.

If you want to get your adrenaline pumping on your holiday, Abel Tasman’s got that covered, too. Thanks to the park’s endless caves and waterfalls, there’s plenty of opportunity to go abseiling, canyoning and zip-lining. If that’s not enough to get your heart racing, give sky-diving a go and take in the amazing views from above.

From the moment you arrive in Kaikoura, you know you’re somewhere special. The view from the beach is spectacular, as snow-topped peaks give way to rocky shores and rolling waves, where New Zealand’s mountains meet the sea. It’s fair to say that Mother Nature pulled out all the stops in Kaikoura – so it’s hardly surprising that this dramatic place has an abundance of wildlife.

Kaikoura is home to all kinds of creatures. If you stroll along the Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway, you’ll be able to see dozens of fur seals relaxing on the rocks. You can go on a dolphin-watching trip, or go searching for majestic albatross – there are 12 species living in Kaikoura. Or, if you’re a keen diver, why not spend a day exploring the nearby limestone reefs and kelp forests? You’ll be able to see crayfish, wrasse, starfish, octopi and a variety of colourful anemones.

But whale-watching in Kaikoura is the major attraction. When you go on a boat trip here, a sighting is pretty much guaranteed. You’ll be able to see enormous sperm whales, as well as orcas and humpback whales – and a pod of curious dolphins will probably swim over to say hello, too.