New Zealand Food Itinerary: 1 Month / 4 Weeks / 30 Days 🥝

30-Day Foodie Itinerary for New Zealand

You have 30 days/4 weeks to scour the land for the best tastes of New Zealand. This New Zealand food itinerary for one month can certainly make that happen.

Get ready for an eventful 4-week itinerary surrounding food, as it takes you across both the North Island and South Island to sample Maori cuisine, traditional New Zealand fare, local craft beer, sweet treats, the freshest seafood and just about every wine region in the country. Culture your palette with this New Zealand food itinerary for 4 weeks (30 days/one month).

Oh, and don’t forget to bookmark The Food Guide to New Zealand – you’re definitely going to need that.

New Zealand Food Itinerary for 4 Weeks: Overview

Day 1 – Auckland Airport to Auckland
Day 2 – Explore Auckland
Day 3 – Auckland to The Coromandel
Day 4 – The Coromandel to Tauranga
Day 5 – Explore Tauranga
Day 6 – Tauranga to Rotorua
Day 7 – Explore Rotorua
Day 8 – Rotorua to Whakatane
Day 9 – Whakatane to Gisborne
Day 10 – Explore Gisborne
Day 11 – Gisborne to Napier
Day 12 – Explore Napier
Day 13 – Napier to Palmerston North
Day 14 – Palmerston North to Wellington
Day 15 – Explore Wellington
Day 16 – Wellington to Picton
Day 17 – Picton to Nelson
Day 18 – Explore Nelson
Day 19 – Nelson to Greymouth
Day 20 – Explore Greymouth
Day 21 – Greymouth to Christchurch
Day 22 – Explore Christchurch
Day 23 – Christchurch to Oamaru
Day 24 – Explore Oamaru
Day 25 – Oamaru to Dunedin
Day 26 – Explore Dunedin
Day 27 – Dunedin to Alexandra
Day 28 – Alexandra to Queenstown
Day 29 – Explore Queenstown
Day 30 – Queenstown to Queenstown Airport

New Zealand Food Itinerary: 1 Month / 4 Weeks / 30 Days 🥝

How to Get Around New Zealand in One Month

This one-month food itinerary for New Zealand is a self-drive itinerary. However, there are other transport methods that you’ll have to use on this trip, as well as an alternative way to get around if you don’t want to drive.

Rental Car or Campervan

There’s an abundance of rental cars and camping vehicles in New Zealand. As we recommend hotels, motels and B&Bs in this itinerary, we recommend using a car rather than a campervan. Use a rental company that has depots in Auckland and Queenstown where this itinerary begins and ends. Get started on your research with Travel By Car: How to Plan a Road Trip in New Zealand.

Ferries

This itinerary requires you to travel between the North Island and the South Island via ferry. Get tips on ferry travel in The Ferry Between the North Island and South Island.

Escorted Tours

If you would rather not drive around New Zealand yourself, escorted bus tours provide an effortless alternative. The downside is that these guided tours won’t concentrate as much on foodie experiences as this itinerary does. Plus, there are no tours that last 30 days, apart from hop-on hop-off bus tours if you stay longer at some destinations. Check out a range of fully-guided tours on The Best 20+ Days Tours of New Zealand.

For more advice on getting around, head to What is the Best Way to Get Around New Zealand?

New Zealand Foodie Itinerary: One Month / 30 Days

Day 1 – Auckland Airport to Auckland

Travel time: 25-40 minutes (depending on traffic)

Welcome to the North Island of New Zealand! You’re going to be spending a lot of time here as part of this foodie itinerary because the North Island has been the most populated of the two main islands for centuries. With that, it’s the island with the most diverse and developed range of cultures and flavours.

Your first stay will be in Auckland, which you can get to after picking up your rental car or by taking one of the other airport transfer options. The latter will allow you to save money on your car rental day rate; just pick up your vehicle on Day 3.

You have plenty of time to explore Auckland tomorrow. For now, try the fantastic coffee scene of the CBD (we recommend The Shelf on High Street) or seafood fine dining at Harbourside in the city centre. Check out more recommendations in The Food Guide to Auckland. We’ve also listed hotels with fantastic restaurants, which are our recommended accommodations for foodies.

Accommodations in Auckland with the Best Restaurants

Find out more about each accommodation on our list of the 25 Best Hotels in Auckland.

Day 2 – Explore Auckland

Auckland‘s foodie scene takes you in several directions. You could be hopping on a ferry to the winemaking island of Waiheke Island for a diverse wine tour with Ananda Tours (find out more about tours, read reviews and book your experience on Klook and Viator). Alternatively, stick to the city centre and do a tour specially designed for you with The Big Foody. Inspire yourself with more activities using the list below.

Food Experiences in Auckland

Tour Waiheke Islands’ wineries
Join a culinary tour of the city centre with The Big Foody
Treat yourself to fine dining at Harbourside, Kazuya and more!
Try out Auckland’s street eats
Discover the bar scene on a cocktail tour with Unique Tours.

See our 8 Best Foodie Experiences in Auckland for more information on each experience.

Day 3 – Auckland to The Coromandel

Travel time: 1 h 25 mins to 2 h 30 mins (depending on Coromandel accommodation)

Pick up your rental vehicle in Auckland city centre, if you haven’t done so already, so that you can hit the road and start exploring the real New Zealand. Set your sights on the glorious beaches, seafood mecca and home of passionate growers, the Coromandel Peninsula. On your way there, stop by the Cheese Barn in Matatoki to sample a variety of locally made cheeses. As you reach Hahei, take a self-guided tour of Cathedral Cove Macadamias and get a taste of a real Kiwi boutique winery at Mercury Bay Estate or Purangi Estate.

Food Experiences in The Coromandel

Hit the foodie places on the Hauraki Rail Trail
Try wine and other surprises at a local winery
Mingle with the locals at a farmers’ market
Pick up artisan cheese, chutneys, honey and more
Take a hiking food tour with Nature & Nosh.

Check out 7 Things to Do in the Coromandel for Foodies for more information on each activity.

Accommodations in the Coromandel with the Best Restaurants, Meals & Breakfasts

The Coromandel’s best accommodations for breakfasts, meals and restaurants are scattered throughout the peninsula, so drive times from Auckland will vary depending on where you stay.

Lady Bowen Bed & Breakfast, Thames
Grand Mercure Puka Park Resort, Pauanui Beach
Coghill Cottage, Whitianga
The Church Accommodation, Hahei
Rapaura Watergardens, Thames

For more information on our top picks, take a look at the 15 Best Hotels & Resorts in the Coromandel.

Day 4 – The Coromandel to Tauranga

Travel time: 1 h 40 mins to 2 h 40 mins (depending on Coromandel accommodation)

Today you take a stunning coastal journey down the east coast passing through quaint towns like Whangamata and Waihi. Your final destination is Tauranga, the hub of the Bay of Plenty. The bay is so-called for its productive fruit-growing, particularly kiwifruit. There are also plenty of wineries, cideries and breweries, which are best visited on tours so you don’t need to worry about nominating a designated driver.

We’ll get more into what you can do in Tauranga tomorrow. For now, see why Kiwis love Asian cuisine so much by booking a table at Rice Rice Baby in Mt Maunganui or The Rising Tide also in Mt Maunganui. Check out more recommendations in The Food Guide to Tauranga & Mt Maunganui. Otherwise, the following accommodations have excellent meals included in their hospitality.

Accommodations in Tauranga with the Best Restaurants, Meals and Breakfasts

For more information on our top recommendations, take a look at the 15 Best Hotels in Tauranga & Mt Maunganui.

Day 5 – Explore Tauranga

Whether you want to learn all about fruit, beverages or get a comprehensive tour of everything the Bay of Plenty produces, Tauranga is here to serve. Taste of Plenty offers tours incorporating sourdough, local cheeses, coffee, olive oils, smoked fish, green-lipped mussels, kiwifruit, avocados, manuka honey, gelato, local beers, wine or ciders and the famous New Zealand savoury pies! Otherwise, keep it simple with some drinks at The Cider Factorie for tasting paddles and their small-plate menu.

Food Experiences in Tauranga

Do tastings on a wine tour with Tauranga Tasting Tours
Sample local fare at the Tauranga Farmers’ Market
Taste award-winning ciders and more at The Cider Factorie
Get “off the eaten track” on a food tour with Taste of Plenty
Mingle with the locals at a Tauranga cooking class.

For more information on each experience, take a look at the 9 Foodie Experiences in Tauranga.

Day 6 – Tauranga to Rotorua

Travel time: 50 minutes

With just under an hour’s drive to Rotorua, you have time to do anything you might have missed in Tauranga before making your way to New Zealand’s geothermal hotspot. Rotorua also has a strong Maori presence, making a hangi buffet experience an absolute must! Hangi is a Polynesian style of cooking where food is slow-cooked in an underground oven. Both Te Pa Tu (formerly Tamaki Maori Village – more info on Viator and Klook) and Mitai Maori Village serve hangi buffets in their evening tours. These tours also include cultural performances and an insight into their traditions and customs.

Accommodations in Rotorua with the Best Restaurants

Check out the 15 Best Hotels in Rotorua for more information on our top picks.

Day 7 – Explore Rotorua

If you haven’t tried Maori food yet, head to Whakawerawera Living Maori Village to see how they cook food using the village’s geothermal vents. Otherwise, you might be interested in diving into the New Zealand farming industry at Agrodome. See more experiences listed below, as well as dining recommendations in The Food Guide to Rotorua.

Food Experiences in Rotorua

Try a traditional Maori hangi at Te Pa Tu (more info on Viator and Klook) or Mitai Maori Village
Do the Mamaku Blue Orchard Tour
Taste wine and craft beers at the local winery and craft beer pub
Learn about New Zealand farming on the Agrodome Farm Tour
Mingle with the locals at the Kuirau Park Saturday Market and Rotorua Night Market.

For elaboration on each activity, check out the 9 Foodie Experiences in Rotorua.

Day 8 – Rotorua to Whakatane

Travel time: 1 h 15 mins

After you’re satisfied that you’ve done everything you want to do in Rotorua, it’s a reasonable drive to Whakatane. We like their pick-your-own berry farms, as well as fudge tastings at Tui Aotearoa and chocolates from Scilla Chocolates.

An almost obligatory experience, however, is sitting on Ohope Beach with some fresh Kiwi-style fish and chips. Recommendations include Ohiwa Oyster Farm, Gibbo’s on the Wharf and others listed in The Food Guide to Whakatane.

Food Experiences in Whakatane

Pick your own berries at one of the berry farms
Try craft beers at the Mata Brewery & Tasting Room
Try authentic Maori food at Mataatua or with NATIVConnectioNZ
Do a fudge tasting at Tui Aotearoa
Pick up some Bay of Plenty chocolates at Scilla Chocolates.

For more information on each experience, take a look at the 9 Foodie Experiences in Whakatane.

Accommodations in Whakatane with the Best Restaurants

Take a look at the 10 Best Hotels & Places to Stay in Whakatane & Ohope for more information on our top picks.

Day 9 – Whakatane to Gisborne

Travel time: 2 h 45 mins

Take the stunning journey from Whakatane through the Waioeka Gorge to Gisborne. Follow Opotiki to Gisborne via The Waioeka Gorge: 8 Epic Stops! for things to do along the way.

Then you’ll arrive in the cool little wine region of Gisborne, where we recommend getting a comprehensive experience of what the region produces with a guided wine tasting at the Gisborne Wine Centre. Or, if beer is more your thing, the Sunshine Brewery is well worth seeking out.

For dinner, we recommend the casual yet elegant fine dining establishment of The Works. See more suggestions in The Food Guide to Gisborne.

Accommodations in Gisborne with the Best Restaurants, Meals & Breakfasts

For more information on our top picks, take a look at the 20 Best Hotels & Places to Stay in Gisborne.

Day 10 – Explore Gisborne

Today could be the day that you explore the wineries around Gisborne, including Millton Vineyards & Winery, Matawhero Wines and Bushmere Estate. You could otherwise watch the cidery workers through the display windows (and have tastings, of course) at the Harvest Cidery. Yes, it’s all about the drink here!

Food Experiences in Gisborne

Check out the wineries around Gisborne
Try craft beer at the Sunshine Brewery
Taste cider and watch it being made at the Harvest Cidery
Try it all at the Gisborne Wine Centre
Hit one of Gisborne’s wine or beer festivals.

For elaboration on each experience, check out the 8 Foodie Experiences in Gisborne.

Day 11 – Gisborne to Napier

Travel time: 2 h 55 mins

Continue down the east coast today to New Zealand’s oldest wine region, Hawke’s Bay. But first, stop by the quaint tearooms and cafes of Morere and Wairoa on your way down. It’s not just all about the wine though, as the region hosts one of the oldest farmers’ markets in New Zealand, while attractions surrounding manuka honey and chocolate are also on the menu.

Speaking of the menu, take your pick of restaurants in Napier like fresh seafood from Hunger Monger and an eclectic mix of flavours at the Indonesian-Dutch fusion restaurant of Restaurant Indonesia. As always, more information and recommendations can be found in our Food Guide to Napier.

Accommodations in Napier with the Best Restaurants

For more information on our top picks, check out the 20 Best Hotels & Places to Stay in Napier.

Day 12 – Explore Napier

Let’s waste no time diving into the winery experiences of Hawke’s Bay. Tours like Prinsy’s Tours, Vines and Views Tours and others will handle the driving and the cellar door tasting fees while you handle the wine judgments.

If you’re lucky enough to be around on a weekend, don’t miss the Napier Urban Farmers’ Market or Hawke’s Bay Farmers’ Market. Otherwise, delve into the world of honey-making at the Arataki Honey Visitor Centre.

Food Experiences in Napier

Do a wine tour of the Hawke’s Bay wineries
Do a self-guided cycling tour of the wineries with Napier City Bike Hire & Tours
Check out the Hawke’s Bay Farmers’ Market
Visit the Arataki Honey Visitor Centre
Do a chocolate tour at Silky Oaks Chocolates.

For more information on each experience and more, check out the 10 Foodie Experiences in Napier.

Day 13 – Napier to Palmerston North

Travel time: 2 h 25 mins

Continue your way south today as you make your way to your next city destination, Palmerston North. If you haven’t already, travel via Hastings to sample its charming eateries. Then it’s a journey through the rural heart of Hawke’s Bay where you could stop by Oruawharo Homestead for one of their high tea days.

After passing through the dramatic scenery of the Manawatu Gorge and perhaps walking off your high tea on the Tawa Loop Walk you’ll have more cool cafes to experience in Ashhurst, such as The Herb Farm which uses its herb garden to create all sorts of products.

Finally, you’ve reached Palmerston North that the locals fondly call “Palmy”. If you have time, jump on a coffee roastery tour to experience the passion behind the bean with Arrosta Coffee.

Food Experiences in Palmerston North

Experience the vibrant farmers’ markets
Take a tour of a coffee roastery
Browse honey products and taste honey ice cream at Waireka Honey
Take a tour of the Tui Brewery
Learn about all things dairy at the Robotic Dairy Farm Tours.

For information on all these experiences and their locations, take a look at the 7 Foodie Experiences in Palmerston North.

Accommodations in Palmerston North with the Best Restaurants, Meals & Breakfasts

For more information on our top recommendations, see the 20 Best Hotels & Places to Stay in Palmerston North.

Day 14 – Palmerston North to Wellington

Travel time: 2 hours

Two weeks into your New Zealand food itinerary for one month (4 weeks) and you’ve finally reached the capital city! The city has an eclectic mix of eateries to suit a range of tastes. If you want something classically Kiwi, pick up a New Zealand-style savoury pie from the likes of Caffe L’affare and Midnight Espresso. Iconic fish & chips can be found at the Wellington Seamarket on Cuba Street and The Chippery on Majoribanks Street, while a more fancy twist of the sea fare can be found at Ortega Fish Shack and Shed 5.

We list more great eateries in the 5 Cool Cafes With the Best Coffee in Wellington, 10 Best Fine Dining Restaurants in Wellington, Guide to Wellington Nightlife and Cheap Eats in Wellington.

Accommodations in Wellington with the Best Restaurants, Meals & Breakfasts

For more information about each activity, see the 25 Best Hotels in Wellington.

Day 15 – Explore Wellington

Dive deeper into the flavours of Wellington today with a guided food tour. Food and Spice Odyssey will take you to experience the hidden artisanry gems of the city.

Wellington also has a thing for craft beer, so either guide yourself using the 14 Breweries & Craft Beer Bars in Wellington or jump on a brewery-hopping tour with Zozo Travel.

Food Experiences in Wellington

Check out the local craft beer breweries and brewbars
Take a tour to the Wairarapa wine region with Zozo Travel
Do the Wellington Chocolate Factory tour
Try out the local street eats
Join Food and Spice Odyssey for a culinary walking tour of the city.

For more information on each activity, see our 9 Foodie Experiences in Wellington.

Day 16 – Wellington to Picton

Travel time: 3 h 30 mins ferry

Enjoy a scenic crossing to the South Island today as you take the ferry from Wellington to Picton. Both ferry options have restaurants onboard serving New Zealand wine, craft beer and Kiwi cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Find out more about the crossing in The Ferry Between the North Island and South Island.

You’ll arrive in Picton, which is an excellent base to explore the Marlborough region, famous for its greenshell mussels but, more famously, the largest wine region of the country. If you have time in the afternoon, embark on a special seafood cruise on Seafood Odyssea (more info on Viator and Klook) or hop on a winery-hopping tour with Sounds Connection.

Food Experiences in Picton

Tour Marlborough’s wineries
Go on a seafood cruise with Seafood Odyssea (more info on Viator and Klook)
Experience Marlborough’s craft beer at Dodson Street
Indulge in high tea at Escape to Picton
Visit the Makana Confections chocolate factory.

For more information and locations of each experience, see the 7 Best Foodie Experiences in Picton.

Accommodations in Picton with the Best Restaurants

For details on our top recommendations, see the 20 Best Hotels & Places to Stay in Picton.

Day 17 – Picton to Nelson

Travel time: 1 h 55 mins

As you make your way to Nelson today, either take the scenic route via Havelock to pass through the “Greenshell Mussel Capital” itself for a greenshell mussel cruise with the Marlborough Tour Company (more info on Viator and Klook) or travel via Blenheim for a self-guided or guided cycling tour of the wineries with Explore Marlborough.

Once in Nelson, you can start sampling the restaurants, as you’ll have more time to explore tomorrow. Sit down to fresh local produce and oysters at the Urban Oyster Bar & Eatery and enjoy the quirky vibe of East St. Find out more in The Food Guide to Nelson.

Accommodations in Nelson with the Best Restaurants

The Hotel Nelson
Tides Hotel
The Honest Lawyer, Ascend Hotel Collection
Rutherford Hotel
Prince Albert Backpackers

For more details on our top picks, check out the 20 Best Hotels & Places to Stay in Nelson.

Day 18 – Explore Nelson

You have the whole day to explore Nelson, home to some of the oldest breweries in New Zealand and, of course, more vineyards. But that’s not all, as the Nelson Tasman region is also a productive fruit-growing region with a community of passionate artisans. Tour wineries and/or breweries with Wine Art and Wilderness or sample it all along the Great Taste Trail. Logistics of this cycle trail can be organised with Kiwi Journeys.

Food Experiences in Nelson

Cycle the Great Taste Trail
Visit Nelson’s wineries
Check out Nelson’s breweries
Take a look around one of Nelson’s markets
Tour Pic’s Peanut Butter World.

For more details on each experience and its locations, see the 9 Best Foodie Experiences in Nelson.

Day 19 – Nelson to Greymouth

Travel time: 4 h 25 mins

It might be a long drive today, but the journey between Nelson and Greymouth shows a dramatic change in landscapes as you move to the West Coast.

As you leave Nelson, stop by Richmond for its wineries or in Wakefield to make your own knife at the Higgins Heritage Park. From Belgrove, take a 20-minute detour to St Arnaud where you can lap up the views of Lake Rotoiti and the Nelson Lakes National Park.

Stop for a coffee in Murchison before continuing on State Highway 6 down the Buller Gorge all the way to Charleston for the most scenic route. From there, you have the Great Coast Road to enjoy, stopping off at the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks. No, they are not real pancakes but, foodie or not, who doesn’t appreciate food-shaped rocks?

In Barrytown, you have another opportunity to make your own knife – a special foodie souvenir if ever there was one. Then your final destination is Greymouth where you can start sampling the West Coast cuisine, like whitebait, which is a traditional delicacy of immature fish, or more sustainable blue cod and venison. Great places to try include the Recreation Hotel, Buccleugh’s on High and Sevenpenny. Check out more recommendations in The Food Guide to Greymouth.

Accommodations in Greymouth with the Best Restaurants & Meals

For more details on our top picks, check out the 20 Best Hotels & Places to Stay in Greymouth.

Day 20 – Explore Greymouth

Today is your day to make the most of the distinctive West Coast flavours that typically revolve around whitebaiting, hunting, fishing and, unsurprisingly, beer brewing. Greymouth offers one of the most regarded brewery tours in the country at Monteith’s Brewery. There are also some quirky finds like gourmet meat products at Blackball Salami and raw New Zealand milk at CJ’s Milk.

Food Experiences in Greymouth

Tour the Monteith’s Brewery
Try a West Coast delicacy, whitebait
Get raw fresh New Zealand milk from CJ’s Milk
Pick up some gourmet New Zealand meat products from Blackball Salami
Make your own kitchen utensils with Barrytown Knifemaking.

For more details and locations of each experience, see the 7 Best Foodie Experiences in Greymouth.

Day 21 – Greymouth to Christchurch

Travel time: 3 h 20 mins

It’s mainly about the magnificent mountain and river valley scenery today as you make your way from Greymouth to Christchurch via Arthur’s Pass. Walk off the beers and fried seafood you’ve probably indulged in recently by tackling some of the Arthur’s Pass short walks.

As you emerge on the other side of the Southern Alps and are making your way through the Canterbury Plains, stop by Sheffield for what’s called “The Famous Sheffield Pie Shop“. You don’t need to think too hard about what for…

Finally, you’ll reach Christchurch where you’ll have more time to dive into its foodie experiences tomorrow. For now, pick up a menu at Gatherings for sustainably sourced Kiwi cuisine or take a trip around the world at Zen Sushi and Dumplings, Bacon Bros Burgers or Thai Orchard. Find out more about these restaurants and more in The Food Guide to Christchurch.

Accommodations in Christchurch with the Best Restaurants

Find out more about our top picks in the 20 Best Hotels in Christchurch.

Day 22 – Explore Christchurch

If you’ve been on a mission to visit every wine region so far in New Zealand then you get another opportunity with the Waipara Valley. Either tour the wineries yourself using the 10 Wonderful Wineries in the Waipara Valley or join a wine tour with Cheeky Wine Tours. You also have a unique dinner option on the Christchurch Tramway Restaurant.

Food Experiences in Christchurch

Take a tour of the Waipara wine region
Experience Christchurch’s iconic farmers’ markets
Do a cultural food tour with Amiki Tours
Enjoy fine dining while touring in the Christchurch tram
Taste and tour The Spirits Workshop Distillery.

For more details on each experience, see the 9 Best Foodie Experiences in Christchurch.

Day 23 – Christchurch to Oamaru

Travel time: 3 h 10 mins

As you make your way from Christchurch to Oamaru today, stop by Ashburton and Timaru for their wonderful selection of cafes.

Once you reach Oamaru, you have the choice between a factory tour of Whitestone Cheese, artisan goods in the Victorian Precinct, a confectionary factory and, yes, another wine region!

We’ll go over the food tours and experiences tomorrow. Until then, dining recommendations include Cucina for its artful plates of Italian and South American cuisine and the Riverstone Kitchen which grows its own produce on-site. See The Food Guide to Oamaru for more recommendations.

Accommodation in Oamaru with the Best Restaurants, Meals & Breakfasts

See the 20 Best Hotels & Places to Stay in Oamaru for more information on our top picks.

Day 24 – Explore Oamaru

Now, where were we on the cheese? Oh yes, visit Whitestone Cheese for comprehensive tours of their cheese factory including cheese tastings, of course.

You can always travel part-way up the Waitaki Valley to pop into its boutique wineries like River-T Estate. But we must insist that you spend at least a little time browsing the Victorian Precinct not only for its brewbars like Scott’s Brewing Co., homemade artisan products at the Riverstone Larder, and European-style Harbour Street Bakery but because the white limestone architecture is like nowhere else in New Zealand.

Food Experiences in Oamaru

Tour a cheese factory complete with tastings at Whitestone Cheese
Venture to the Waitaki Valley wine region
Try some craft beer in the Victorian Precinct…
… Then pick up a pie, ice cream and artisan goods in the Victorian Precinct
Get some naughty snacks for the road from Rainbow Confectionery.

For more details on each experience, take a look at the 7 Best Foodie Experiences in Oamaru.

Day 25 – Oamaru to Dunedin

Travel time: 1 h 35 mins

Head south today to the city of Dunedin, perhaps stopping by the perfectly spherical natural wonders of the Moeraki Boulders and grabbing a coffee at its cafe. Aim to get there at low tide for the best views.

As always, we’ll discuss some of the activities in Dunedin on day two, some of which you’ll probably be able to fit into today. For now, book a table at Moiety for its fine dining plates of New Zealand fare in a casual setting. You might also like Bracken which gets you into the Scottish heritage spirit of Dunedin along with farm-to-table dining. Find out more in The Food Guide to Dunedin.

Accommodations in Dunedin with the Best Restaurants

See the 20 Best Hotels in Dunedin for more details on each accommodation.

Day 26 – Explore Dunedin

Dunedin is kinda famous for its beers, being home to one of the most popular brands of New Zealand beer which you’ll find in every supermarket, Speight’s. Explore New Zealand’s oldest operational brewery on the Speight’s Brewery Tour. You can also do a chocolate factory tour at OCHO Chocolate Factory or treat yourself to high tea at New Zealand’s one and only castle.

Food Experiences in Dunedin

Tour the Speight’s Brewery with beer tastings
Browse the Otago Farmers’ Market
Join a chocolate factory tour at OCHO
Drink real cow’s milk at Holy Cow
Indulge in high tea at Larnach Castle.

For more information on each activity, head to our 8 Best Foodie Experiences in Dunedin.

Day 27 – Dunedin to Alexandra

Travel time: 2 h 20 mins

Today’s pitstops include Milton and Lawrence, the latter being a popular stop on the Clutha Gold Trail for its cool cafes. The Gabriels Gully Walk among a historic gold mining site is pretty cool too. You’ll also find plenty of walks in Roxburgh on your way to Alexandra.

Enjoy an evening in the more off-the-beaten-track foodie’s paradise of Alexandra (or the neighbouring town of Clyde). Speaking of Clyde, Olivers is a must-try eatery, or should we say three eateries! We also like Paulina’s Bar‘s pioneering railroad theme combined with Spanish, Italian and Japanese cuisine.

Food Experiences in Alexandra and Clyde

Tour the boutique wineries of Alexandra
Sample craft beer at the local breweries
Check out the Alexandra Friday Food and Produce Market
Enjoy local cuisine at restaurants and cafes.

For more details on each experience, check out the 5 Best Foodie Experiences in Alexandra & Clyde.

Accommodations in Alexandra and Clyde with Restaurants and Vineyards

Grey Ridge Vineyard Experience
Hawkdun Rise Vineyard & Accommodation
Olivers Central Otago Lodge & Stables
Centennial Court Hotel
Lavender Drive Bed & Breakfast

For more details on our top picks, check out the 20 Best Hotels & Places to Stay in Alexandra & Clyde.

Day 28 – Alexandra to Queenstown

Travel time: 1 h 10 mins

Your final destination today is Queenstown but not without passing through one last wine region, the Otago wine region. Your first port of call is Cromwell, proving its fruit-producing superiority with a giant fruit sculpture in the town. You can stop by a few more wineries here, but we recommend waiting to take a wine tour from Queenstown (more info on Viator and Klook) so you don’t have to worry about drinking and driving.

After passing by the vineyards of the Gibbston Valley, take a quick detour to Arrowtown for its charming historic buildings, sweet shops and ice cream parlours lining the town.

Queenstown is then your final destination on this foodie itinerary. Celebrate your amazing journey with a meal at the back alley-eatery of The Bunker. They specialise in game meats and cocktails. Or, let’s be honest, you just want to see what this “Fergburger” hype is about, so call in early to avoid the long queue. Check out The Food Guide to Queenstown for more suggestions.

Accommodation in Queenstown with the Best Restaurants

Find out more about each place to stay in our 21 Best Hotels in Queenstown.

Day 29 – Explore Queenstown

It’s your last opportunity to tour a wine region, whether it’s by bike with Around The Basin or on a small-group driving tour with Queenstown Wine Trail (more info on Viator and Klook). For something a little different by this point, we recommend experiencing a gourmet Kiwi barbecue on the high country farm of Walter Peak (more info on Viator, Klook and KKday).

For your final night in New Zealand, treat yourself to a progressive dinner tour with Alpine Wine Tours trying sparkling wine, craft beer and food pairings overlooking the Shotover River before doing some wine tasting and dinner in the Gibbston Valley. You’ll wrap up the evening with dessert in Arrowtown by a roaring fire.

Food Experiences in Queenstown

Do a tour of the Gibbston Valley wineries
Do a craft brewery tour with Craft Beers New Zealand
Cruise and indulge in a gourmet barbecue at Walter Peak (more info on Viator, Klook and KKday)
Go on a progressive dinner tour with Alpine Wine Tours
Browse the local farmers’ market
Try a famous oversized burger.

For more information on each activity, check out 10 Best Foodie Experiences in Queenstown.

Day 30 – Queenstown to Queenstown Airport

Travel time: 10 minutes

Now’s your last chance to pick up an artistic doughnut ball from Balls and Bangles, an oversized burger from Fergburger, or a deep-fried kiwifruit from Erik’s Fish & Chips before heading to Queenstown Airport. There are some popular Queenstown brands at the airport should you need to pick up some last-minute souvenirs, such as The Remarkable Sweet Shop and Patagonia Chocolates.

From there, it’s time to catch your flight, whether it’s connecting to Christchurch, Auckland or Australia and beyond…

More About a New Zealand Food Itinerary for One Month / 4 Weeks / 30 Days

That’s it for our New Zealand food itinerary for one month (4 weeks/30 days). If this itinerary didn’t quite suit you, perhaps you’d be more into these alternatives:

Finally, get more advice for planning an entire trip to New Zealand surrounding culinary experiences in The Foodie Guide to New Zealand.

Author

Laura S.

This article was reviewed and published by Laura, editor in chief and co-founder of NZ Pocket Guide. Since arriving solo in New Zealand over 10 years ago and with a background in journalism, her mission has been to show the world how easy (and awesome) it is to travel New Zealand. She knows Aotearoa inside-out and loves sharing tips on how best to experience New Zealand’s must-dos and hidden gems. Laura is also editor of several other South Pacific travel guides and is the co-host of NZ Pocket Guide’s live New Zealand travel Q&As on YouTube.

Contact Laura via our contact page