Kaipara Country Including Waiheke Island

Itinerary

DAY ONE                                                                 D 

Today's tour will start with a morning tea stop along the way to Auckland. Once here we will make our way to the zoo which has been undergoing a major revamp. Customers will have their own time to explore and can choose to grab lunch at one of the many eateries within the zoo, such as The Elephant House or Te Puna Café. We highly recommend the Southeast Asia Jungle Track, this is the biggest project in the zoo's 100-year history. Along with the lake and wetlands, this track is across one-fifth of the Zoo. It features a lowlands habitat for tigers and otters, high canopy primate habitat for orangutans and siamangs, and many more species. After our amazing encounters we will continue on our way to our accommodation for a bit of rest and relaxation. 

DAY TWO                                                                B, L, D 

After breakfast this morning, we will catch the Fullers Ferry across to Waiheke for the day. Once we arrive, we will meet our local guide to board the bus and embark on our island's tour. Waiheke, a true island paradise just a stone's throw from Auckland City. We will discover why Lonely Planet is calling it one of the best destinations in the world. Along the way, we will visit gorgeous Onetangi Beach and pretty Oneroa Village with its local art galleries and boutique shops. Today will also include visits to vineyards where we'll enjoy some wine tastings and a lovely high tea-style lunch. In the early afternoon, we will be delivered back to the ferry terminal for our return cruise back to Auckland. We will then take a bus back to our accommodation to relax and freshen up for dinner.

DAY THREE                                                            B,MT, L, D   

Join us for a day of adventure as we board our coach and head to Helensville, enjoying a delightful morning tea en-route. Once here, we'll embark on a 3 and a half-hour cruise through the Historic Kaipara River & Harbour. Our captain and crew will guide us through the picturesque waterways as we admire the vast native bush and secluded bays and inlets accessible only by boat. Along the way, we'll learn about the region's history, Maori Pa Sites, and the diverse birdlife that call it home. We'll even pass by the proposed site of New Zealand's first nuclear power plant. While cruising, we'll enjoy a catered lunch onboard. After our day's adventure, we'll take an afternoon drive up to South Head, stopping to stretch our legs at Lake Ototoa. Time permitting, we'll also travel back to the hotel via Waimauku, Kumeu, and Coatesville, where we'll reflect on the many wonders we've discovered throughout the day.

DAY FOUR                                                              B, L, D    

Rise and shine! Today's adventure takes us to Matakana, where we'll have the chance to grab a coffee and explore the quaint town before making our way to the Goat Island Marine Discovery Centre, a world-class marine research centre. Located just up the hill from Goat Island beach, the centre offers a variety of interactive experiences for all ages. We'll explore New Zealand’s marine life using our bigeye microscopes and more. Next up, we'll head to the Sculptureum, an awe-inspiring indoor and outdoor art gallery featuring contemporary and classical works of art. After exploring the galleries, we'll enjoy a delicious lunch on-site. To cap off our day, we'll board the Jane Gifford sailing vessel and embark on a scenic tour of the Mahurangi River. The tour is an hour-long and we'll enjoy stunning scenery and fresh breeze, a great way to end our day out together.

DAY FIVE                                                                B, MT, L   

As we come to the end of our tour, our final day will begin with a visit to Chelsea Bay Sugar for a mini tour and a lovely Devonshire tea. To fully enjoy the experience, we'll split into two groups. One group will head to the Sugar Café for a delicious Devonshire tea, while the other group explores the interactive zone and takes a mini train tour. We'll then switch groups so that everyone has the chance to experience both activities. Once we're done at Chelsea Bay, we'll start our journey back home, with a stop along the way for a bite to eat. As we reflect on the amazing experiences we've had throughout the tour, we'll cherish the memories and friendships we've made during our time together.