Scenic South Wairarapa Full Day Tour from Wellington
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 28 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Scenic South Wairarapa Full Day Tour from Wellington worth booking?
Scenic South Wairarapa Full Day Tour from Wellington is a 8-hour experience in Wellington, New Zealand, from $376 per person. It scores 70 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 5/5 rating across 28 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 70 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (28)
- Duration
- 8 hours
- From
- $376 per person
Your tour is your tour only! No mixed groups! You get to have your own dedicated Driver/Guide and 'Memory Creator' for your entire tour. Enjoy a 9 hour private guided tour where we spend the day in the majestic South
What you get
About this experience
Your tour is your tour only! No mixed groups! You get to have your own dedicated Driver/Guide and 'Memory Creator' for your entire tour. Enjoy a 9 hour private guided tour where we spend the day in the majestic South Wairarapa region covering Artisan Cheese and Chocolate tastings, visits to 2 wineries including tastings and lunch, a scenic drive out to Cape Palliser lighthouse (the southern most point of the North Island), visit the local Seal Colony, take in the sights of the quaint fishing village of Ngawi and dinner at the iconic Lake Ferry Hotel or a local Martinborough restaurant. Please note parts of this tour is not available for younger than 18 years (wine tastings). Cruise ship passengers: This tour operates on a reduced itinerary. We don't visit C'est Cheese and Schoc Chocolate.
What's included
Included
- Private transportation
- Entry fees
- Tasting fees
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Complimentary photos and tour summary emailed to guests after tour
- Customer gift
- Lunch
- Bottled water
Not included
- Gratuities
What you'll see and do
View the iconic buildings of the Parliamentary Precinct – the Executive Wing of Parliament 'The Beehive’, Parliament House and the Parliamentary Library Building.
15 minutes here
Kaitoke Regional Park
Kaitoke Regional Park is located in the foot hills of the Tararua Ranges. Take a walk through native rain forest and admire the majestic Kahikatea trees, the tallest trees in New Zealand. We then visit the magical spot used as the set for Rivendell in the Lord of the Rings trilogy - walk in the footsteps of Elves Arwen and Elrond.
45 minutes here
We stop at the Remutaka mountain summit (555 metres above sea level) to take in the majestic views and view the Remutaka Crossing monument which commemorates the 60,000 New Zealand troops who made the crossing from the military camp in Featherston to the Port of Wellington between 1915 and 1918.
15 minutes here
C'est Cheese
We can sample magnificent local cheeses (Remutuka Pass cheeses are made on site) along with international cheeses.
30 minutes here · Admission included
Schoc Chocolates
Sample delectable, artisan produced, award winning chocolates. Warning: You will be severely tempted to purchase some Schoc chocolate!
30 minutes here
Poppies Martinborough
We sample up to 5 wines at one of Martinborough's most idyllic wineries. The Poppies Rose is a must try!
60 minutes here · Admission included
Cape Palliser Lighthouse
Once we have had our lunch and wine tastings we drive out to Cape Palliser, the southern most point of the North Island where we can work off our lunch by a ‘gut busting’ 253 steps up to the Cape Palliser Lighthouse for magnificent views over the South Pacific Ocean and the South Island.
45 minutes here · Admission included
After catching our breath we have a very short drive to the Cape Palliser Seal colony. Care is required – it is very important we keep at least 20 metres away from the Seals.
30 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 15 minutes before departure.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 14 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Kaewa Tours Ltd
Know before you go
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- For children under the age of 7 an approved child restraint seat must be used and be supplied by the customer. If an approved child restraint seat is not available the tour cannot proceed.
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 28 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Photo opportunities
7 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Food and drink
6 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
The guide
4 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
3 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Value for money
2 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Small groups
2 mentionsThe group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.
Traveler reviews
28 verified traveler reviews for Scenic South Wairarapa Full Day Tour from Wellington. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Worth every penny!
I can only echo the other 5-star reviews here--our private guide, Tom, was just brilliant! His friendliness, professionalism and obvious love for his job made our day really special. He tailored the tour to our particular interests and brought us to some unique and wonderful locations and local businesses that we never would have found on our own. We may have begun the day as strangers, but left feeling we'd make a new Kiwi friend.
Response from the operator: Kia ora Karen, Thank you very much for your heartwarming and generous feedback. Thanks again for booking with Kaewa Tours. It was lovely to meet and host you and Bill for our day out to Martinborough. I thoroughly enjoyed my day out with you. One of the many things that I love about my business is the fabulous guests we meet and host. I agree with your sentiments - we start off as strangers and finish as friends! I trust you returned home safely to the US. Take care and best wishes, Tom and Jill
via Tripadvisor
A phenomenal day with an exemplary host!
My husband and I did the private guided full day South Wairarapa tour with Tom as our guide. We have done many excursions and day trips in many countries and I can honestly say that this is one of the best we have ever been on. And the key ingredient that Tom brings? Connection. From our very first meeting, he made us feel very comfortable and he is so genuine and down-to-earth that you feel an immediate connection. We couldn’t have asked for a better day and Tom ensured that we were well taken care of the entire time. The various stops along the way were wonderful. Lots of opportunities for photos. We think it is a very special touch that Tom takes many pics as well and then emails them to you later on. I’ve never seen that done before. The wine tasting and lunch at Poppies in Martinborough was outstanding. The charcuterie was unique and exceptional. The tour to Cape Palliser offered astounding views and I was impressed that Tom braved the 253 steps to the top with us. I could go on because there were so many small details that Tom injected into the day. All I can say is thank you Tom , it was amazing! Bill and Lise
Response from the operator: Kia ora Lise and Bill, Thank you very much for taking the time to share your experience of your day out with Kaewa Tours. Your kind words are very much appreciated and heartwarming. I thoroughly enjoyed our day out to the South Wairarapa region and spending the day with 2 very humorous Canucks. I have already passed on your feedback to Poppies Management. I am very pleased you particularly enjoyed the wine tasting component as the staff member who looked after you is a very recent addition to the team and certainly a super star in the making. Take care and best wishes, Tom
via Tripadvisor
Great South Wairarapa tour
Tom gave me a super tour to Martinborough and Cape Palliser. I can thoroughly recommend this day out- great advice, explanations, historical knowledge and a great photographer to boot! He even arranged for the sun to come out for us as we walked up to the lighthouse.
Response from the operator: Kia ora Tom, It was an absolute pleasure hosting you for the day out to the fabulous South Wairarapa region. Thank you very much for booking with Kaewa Tours for your day out and thank you for taking the time to share your experience of your day out with me. I'm sure we will see you again when you're next down to Kāpiti visiting family. Take care and best wishes, Tom
via Tripadvisor
Great tour
Great guide in Tom, excellent & tasty sharing plate lunch at Poppies & great views at Cape Palliser.
Response from the operator: Kia ora Leanne, Thank you again for your booking and thanks for taking the time to share your experience of your day out with Kaewa Tours to the fabulous South Wairarapa region. It was my absolute pleasure to meet and host you and Ted for the day. I trust you enjoyed the remainder of your visit to Aotearoa New Zealand and that you had a safe trip home to Australia. Best wishes, Tom
via Viator
Kaewa tours rocks!
If you want first class service please choose Kaewa tours!! We spent 2 day’s touring the Wellington area and had a fabulous time, they sure know how to provide a great experience and know the top places to visit in Wellington. Everything was planned and executed perfectly!!
Response from the operator: Kia ora Joe and Irene, Thank you for taking the time to share your experience of your 2 days out with Kaewa Tours. Thank you for your very kind words. It was an absolute pleasure to meet and host you. Dean and I thoroughly enjoyed showing you around Wellington and the spectacular South Wairarapa region. I trust you had a lovely Christmas in Queenstown and had a safe trip home to the US. Have a fabulous 2025. Best wishes, Tom, Jill and Dean
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 8 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $376 to $1254
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 10
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 70
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Scenic South Wairarapa Full Day Tour from Wellington: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Wellington.
How much does Scenic South Wairarapa Full Day Tour from Wellington cost?
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Prices start at $376 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Wellington usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Scenic South Wairarapa Full Day Tour from Wellington take?
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Plan for about 8 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Wellington is not rushed.
Is Scenic South Wairarapa Full Day Tour from Wellington worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 70 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 28 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Wellington, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Scenic South Wairarapa Full Day Tour from Wellington?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Scenic South Wairarapa Full Day Tour from Wellington suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 8-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Scenic South Wairarapa Full Day Tour from Wellington?
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Around 10 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Wellington can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Wellington and add a light layer if any part of the 8-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Scenic South Wairarapa Full Day Tour from Wellington start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Wellington within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Wellington?
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On Outty we rank every Wellington experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Overnight Experience Tour on Kapiti Island, Discover Wellington 3 hour City Tour, Martinborough Wine and Wild Coast Tour from Wellington. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Wellington?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Wellington?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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