New Zealand Wine Regions by Campervan: A Region-by-Region Guide

Quick summary: New Zealand’s wine regions run almost the full length of the country, and each suits a campervan or motorhome visit in its own way. Some, like Martinborough, are compact enough to walk between cellar doors; others, like Marlborough and Hawke’s Bay, are best explored by bike or on a tour. These guides cover ten regions, with the drive there, where to park up and the wine tours that let the vehicle rest.

Region	Island	Best way to taste	Guide
Auckland	North	Tour from the city	Auckland wine country
Waiheke Island	North	Passenger ferry and tour	Waiheke Island
Hawke’s Bay	North	Bike trails or tour	Hawke’s Bay
Martinborough	North	On foot or by bike	Martinborough
Marlborough	South	Bike or tour	Marlborough
Nelson	South	Tour or bike	Nelson
Waipara Valley	South	Tour	Waipara Valley
Waitaki Valley	South	Tour or short drives between overnight stops	Waitaki Valley and Oamaru
Central Otago	South	Tour or bike	Central Otago and Gibbston
Wānaka	South	On foot or tour	Wānaka

Which region is easiest for a first campervan wine trip?

Martinborough. The wineries cluster around a small village, many within walking distance of the square, and the drive from Wellington is short. Marlborough is a close second, with flat roads, bike hire and holiday parks surrounded by vines.

Can you visit several wine regions in one RV trip?

Yes. The regions line up neatly from north to south, so a one-way trip can link them: Auckland to Hawke’s Bay and Martinborough on the North Island, then across Cook Strait to Marlborough, Waipara, the Waitaki Valley and Central Otago. See our wine-led itineraries.

For the full overview, see our campervan wine country hub.

Frequently Asked Questions