Tiritiri Matangi Island & Matakana's New Sculptureum

Itinerary

DAY ONE                                                                 MT,L,D  

Today we are venturing to the North Shore of super city Auckland. We'll start our day off by being picked up and enjoying a leisurely morning tea along the way. Our next stop is the Sky Tower in Auckland, where we'll take in the stunning views of the city from the viewing deck. While we are here we'll enjoy buffet lunch at the Fortuna Restaurant at the Sky City Hotel. After our sky-high adventure, we'll depart from the Sky City and head to our accommodation for our stay. In the evening, we'll venture offsite to a local restaurant for a delightful dinner before retiring for the evening.

DAY TWO                                                                B,L,D 

"Rise and shine, it's time to embark on a new adventure! After breakfast, we'll hop aboard our transport and head to Sandspit. Once there we'll grab a coffee at a local cafe, before continuing on our journey. Our next destination is Kawau Island, where we'll spend the day cruising around the island delivering mail and passengers along the way. Our expert guide will provide a full commentary, detailing the island's rich history and natural wonders. Once we arrive on Kawau Island, we'll enjoy lunch at the stunning Mansion House, a magnificent heritage building surrounded by picturesque gardens. We'll also have the opportunity to tour the property and learn more about its fascinating past. After a day of exploring, we'll head back to Sandspit. From here we'll make our way back to our accommodation to have a wee rest prior to heading out for dinner at a local restaurant."

DAY THREE                                                             B,L,D 

Please note that there is no transportation on the island, and the walk up a hill is required. It is important to be aware that this is not a suitable destination for people with mobility issues. Make sure you bring along good walking shoes, snacks, and a light rain jacket. Also, please remember to take all rubbish with you, and any food must be sealed in a Plastic Rodent Free Container.

After picking up our picnic lunches, we will travel to Gulf Harbour to meet our big Catamaran for our cruise to Tiritiri Matangi Island with "360 Discovery". During the 1 ½ hour guided morning experience, we'll learn about one of the world's most fabulous conservation projects and view the exquisite birdlife, natural surroundings, re-vegetation, and history of Tiritiri Matangi. Your guide will highlight the best spots to see various wildlife on the island and help you identify birdcalls, which can be heard echoing through the trees (try and beat our tally from our last trip of 19 species identified). Our guide will then escort us to the visitor centre with its informative exhibits, and you are free to wander, look and listen as you make your way back to the vessel.

A day on Tiritiri Matangi gets better every time we visit. This evening we'll dine again together at a local restaurant.

DAY FOUR                                                              B,MT,L,D  

Today is going to be an exciting day as we head to the beautiful Matakana region. After breakfast, we'll depart for our first stop of the day. We'll make a quick stop in Warkworth and have a chance to explore the quaint shops. From here, our next stop will be at the Sculptureum, where we'll have morning tea and explore the beautiful gardens filled with creative artworks and sculptures. You'll have plenty of time to snap some pictures and take in the breathtaking scenery. The next stop will be at Morris and James Pottery, where we'll have some time to look around the shop and admire their exquisite pottery. Afterward, we'll head to Matakana Estate for a wine-tasting and lunch. The wine tasting will give you a chance to sample some of the region's best wines. We'll then meander our way back to our accommodation and have some free time to relax and freshen up. This evening, we'll head out to a local restaurant for our final dinner together, taking the time to reminisce over our last few days' adventures

DAY FIVE                                                        B

Before we make our way home, we will travel to Devonport, enjoying some sights along the way. Our first stop is Torpedo Bay, where we'll take our time to look around this tremendous Navy Museum. After our interesting and informative morning, we'll enjoy a little time perusing the shops and seeking out a lunch spot in one of the many cafes in Devonport Village. We'll then hit the road for our journey back home.