Wine and Food Trails for Campervan Travellers in New Zealand

Quick summary: New Zealand’s wine regions are also some of its best places to eat, and a campervan or motorhome with its own kitchen makes the most of them. Stock up at farmers’ markets and roadside stalls, buy cheese, olive oil and seafood from local producers, and save one evening in each region for a long lunch or dinner at a vineyard restaurant. This guide covers the food highlights of each wine region and how to enjoy them on a campervan trip.

At a glance
Best for a campervan kitchen	Farmers’ markets, roadside fruit stalls, local cheese and seafood
Vineyard dining	Long lunches and platters at winery restaurants
Signature pairings	Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc with Greenshell mussels, Central Otago Pinot Noir with lamb
Food tours	Wine and food tours in most regions
Markets	Weekly farmers’ markets in many wine towns; check local days
Top tip	Book vineyard restaurants ahead, and walk or take a tour to get there

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Why is a campervan good for a food and wine trip?

Because it has a kitchen and a fridge. You can buy produce straight from the growers and cook it at your campsite with a bottle you chose that day. A simple dinner of local cheese, fresh bread and fruit from a roadside stall, with a glass of the region’s wine and a view over the vines, is hard to beat at the end of a day among the vineyards.

What food should you look for in each wine region?

Region	Food highlights
Auckland and Waiheke	Olive groves, oysters, artisan bakeries and city markets
Hawke’s Bay	Orchards, a famous farmers’ market, artisan cheese, chocolate and olive oil
Martinborough	Olive oil, village delis and the Wairarapa’s farm produce
Marlborough	Greenshell mussels, salmon, cherries and olive oil
Nelson	Fruit, hops, craft beer, seafood and a lively weekend market
Waipara Valley	Vineyard restaurants, cheese and North Canterbury produce
Waitaki Valley	Local cheese, salmon and Oamaru’s Victorian-era bakeries and cafés
Central Otago	Stone fruit, roadside fruit stalls, lamb and Pinot Noir pairings
Wānaka	Lakeside cafés, fruit from nearby orchards and local cheese

Which experiences combine food and wine?

• Food and wine tours, which pair tastings with cheese, chocolate, olive oil or seafood. See all wine tours.
• Vineyard restaurants with seasonal menus, where a long lunch is part of the wine country experience.
• Seafood cruises in the Marlborough Sounds, where you can taste Greenshell mussels straight from the farms.
• Farmers’ markets, held weekly in many wine towns, where growers and producers sell directly.

How do you get to a vineyard restaurant without driving an RV?

Walk, cycle or take a tour. Many wine tours include lunch at a vineyard restaurant, and some restaurants are within walking distance of holiday parks, especially in Martinborough, Renwick and the Gibbston Valley. For an evening meal, consider a taxi from your holiday park. See our guide to parking up and taking a tour.

How do you cook well in a campervan?

• Keep it simple: a good cheese board, salads and grilled local produce suit a small kitchen.
• Use the holiday park kitchens and barbecues, which give you more space and keep cooking smells out of the vehicle.
• Buy little and often, since fridge space is limited.
• Pack a good knife, a chopping board and wine glasses, if your vehicle’s kit doesn’t include them.

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Frequently Asked Questions