EXCURSIONES EN TIERRA

OVERVIEW

Sail through Waitematā Harbour on an America’s Cup racing yacht and lend the crew a hand for a one-of-a-kind immersive experience if you like. As you prepare to cast off, the captain will describe the yacht’s illustrious history and success in the prestigious America’s Cup sailing competition. You will be encouraged to help raise the sails as you head out into the harbour. If you wish to participate more fully, the crew will assign you a sailing position and instruct you on exactly what to do. Hands-on sailing experience isn’t necessary, just a desire to be in the heart of the action by trimming the sails, grinding the winches or even taking the helm. If you would rather just sit back and enjoy the awesome sights, feel free. Participation isn’t mandatory. Either way, it will be an exhilarating ride as the yacht races through Waitematā Harbour in the “City of Sails.”

HIGHLIGHTS

• Sail through Auckland’s harbor on a competitive America’s Cup yacht
• Participate hands-on if you wish or simply come along for the exhilarating ride.
• Learn about the history of your racing vessel and the America’s Cup competition.
• Admire the views of Waitematā Harbour as you race through its waters.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Tour two regional wineries and sample some of the distinct vintages that have helped vault New Zealand into international prominence as a highly respected wine producer. A scenic drive takes you through Auckland’s city center, en route to the dramatic landscapes of the Kumeu River Valley and Auckland’s Wine Country. Nurtured by an ideal climate, wine grapes have thrived here and have spawned numerous award-winning wineries. Your tour has you visiting two of the finest. Located at the gateway to the Kumeu Wine Country, is Soljans Winery, family owned for three generations. With over 70 years of wine making experience, few wineries in New Zealand can claim to have a prouder winemaking heritage than Soljans Estate Wines. The bright, Mediterranean-style décor welcomes you and the friendly, knowledgeable staff shares the story of how this family, originally from Croatia, became one of New Zealand’s premier wine producers. The vineyard tour includes views of the family’s estate and the cellars as well as detailing the family’s fascinating history. Known for popular table wines, you may taste some of their award-winning wines, such as Pinot Gris, Merlot, and Tawny Port. You’ll also enjoy the visit to Hunting Lodge Winery for a wine tasting and seasonal food pairing. This is the location where the first Sauvignon Blanc in New Zealand was planted. Taste their seasonal wines which are only available from the cellar door before your return drive to the pier.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy breathtaking landscapes in route to New Zealand’s premier wine-producing region.
• Explore Soljans Estate and Hunting Lodge Winery—both celebrated for their award-winning vintages.
• Sample a variety of local vintages that have put New Zealand on the global wine map.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Flat, comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Explore two natural treasures on the North Island’s wild western coast that are fiercely protected to keep them carbon free and environmentally sound. Browsing the Arataki Visitor Centre will offer a glimpse into the wonders that lie ahead, which include the lush rainforest that blankets the Waitakere Ranges. Before entering, you must first pass through a checkpoint to remove any biological matter from your clothing that might damage the forest. These precautionary measures ensure that the wilderness will remain gloriously pristine, especially its sacred kauri trees, which are dying from foreign soil and plant material that visitors have inadvertently carried in on their clothing. After following a naturalist guide through the remarkably biodiverse forest, you will head for Piha Beach. It too is protected, especially from invasive animal species that might alter the coastal ecosystem. You can’t help but feel at one with nature while strolling its volcanically formed, black-sand beach.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Browse a visitor center for insight into how the North Island keeps its wilderness pristine.
• Walk through a remarkably biodiverse rainforest that is fiercely protected.
• Stroll Piha Beach, a picture-perfect stretch of black sand that borders the rainforest.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Depart the bustle of urban Auckland on a trip to Devonport, a historic waterfront village just across the bay and known for its relaxed charm. Touring Devonport and its surrounds by coach, you’ll feel like you’ve left modernity far behind. Streets are lined with restored villas and cottages built from native kauri timber during the late Victorian and Edwardian era. The waterfront’s antique shops, art galleries, inviting pubs and quirky boutiques all lend it unmistakable character. Plus, you’ll be treated to a totally different perspective from the heights of the North Shore’s two extinct volcanic cones. Mount Victoria offers stunning views all the way across to Auckland, while North Head offers insights into the island’s military history. The Royal New Zealand Navy installed coastal defense batteries and extensive tunnels on these bluffs over a century ago; you can still see a huge “disappearing gun” from 1886 – nicknamed for the powerful recoil that catapulted the weapon out of sight underground between shots. Take some free time to further explore on foot once the guided tour portion ends. Then return to Auckland by ferry, either with the group or on your own later if you opt to remain in Devonport longer.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Head by coach from metropolitan Auckland across the harbor to historic, laid-back Devonport.
• Tour this charming village – home to restored Victorian homes, boutiques and galleries, cafes and tons of past-century character.
• View a different perspective on the North Shore landscape from visits to Mount Victoria and North Head, once a strategic military position – with the big gun emplacements to prove it.
• Take some free time to wander further in town – maybe to the chocolatier just off Queen’s Parade.
• Return to Auckland by ferry when ready; the ride takes under 15 minutes, and you’ll have your ticket.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Wear casual, weather-appropriate clothing including a wind/waterproof jacket.
• Flat, comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
• Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen as needed.

OVERVIEW

There’s no better way to experience Auckland, the “City of Sails,” than by cruising its harbor by sailing yacht and touring an innovative museum of maritime history. A short stroll from your ship, board a ketch-rigged sailing scow and embark on a relaxed cruise around Waitemata Harbor – its name based on a Maori phrase describing the shine of obsidian volcanic glass. It’s a fitting description since this gulf and many other aspects of the Auckland coastline were in fact shaped by volcanic forces millennia ago. During your 60 minutes on the water, enjoy coffee or tea as you watch the metropolitan skyline of New Zealand’s most populous city slide by – and see more than enough masted vessels to understand how Auckland earned its nickname. Back on terra firma, pay a visit to the Voyager Maritime Museum, where the country’s nautical heritage takes center stage. With self-guided time here, you might watch a film about the first settlers to sail to New Zealand, visit a rocking steerage cabin that simulates 1840s sea travel conditions, marvel at carved scrimshaw and ship figureheads, or learn about Sir Peter Blake and his America’s Cup wins for Team New Zealand.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Board a stable ketch-rigged sailing yacht for a delightful 1.5-hour cruise around Waitemata Harbor.
• Admire coastal hills long ago shaped by volcanic action and today blanketed to the edge of the sparkling water with a vibrant urban landscape.
• Enjoy a self-guided visit to the Voyager Maritime Museum, where New Zealand’s long seafaring history is brought vividly to life through innovative exhibits.
• At tour’s end, either return to the pier with your guide or stay behind for further exploring on your own.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Wear casual, weather-appropriate clothing including a wind/waterproof jacket.
• Flat, comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
• Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen as needed.

OVERVIEW

Venture into the snowy Antarctic where penguins play, walk underwater through a reef where sharks and rays swim, and catch bird’s-eye city views from 1,072 feet up. This excursion is all about exciting environments – beginning with Kelly Tarlton’s Sea Life Aquarium, named for a well-known Kiwi adventurer. Inside, moving walkways transport you through clear underwater tunnels revealing all sorts of aquatic habitats. You may see sharks being hand-fed, massive stingrays gliding by, or neon-colored fish and delicate seahorses nestling in the reef. The Antarctic Ice Adventure section replicates polar life above and below the water – with a colony of King and Gentoo penguins as the featured entertainment and a replica of Captain Scott’s polar expedition base from 1911. The scene at Sky Tower is considerably elevated, as you zoom by glass elevator to the top of New Zealand’s tallest manmade structure – an engineering marvel built to withstand winds of 125 mph or a magnitude 8.0 earthquake. Your heart will be doing the pounding today as you take in breathtaking 360-degree views over Auckland and its harbors, bays and volcanoes. On a clear day, the range is about 50 miles – but even watching fog up here is an amazing experience.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Travel along scenic Tamaki Drive to Kelly Tarlton’s Aquarium along Okahu Bay.
• Experience a diverse range of aquatic life up close, walking along transparent underwater tunnels.
• See everything from feeding sharks and stingrays to tiny, delicate seahorses and vibrant reefs.
• Enter the frozen domain of the Antarctic and watch penguins cavort above and below the waters.
• Zoom up to the glass-walled observation deck atop the Sky Tower for wondrous panoramic views over Auckland.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Wear casual, weather-appropriate clothing.
• Flat, comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
• Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen as needed.

OVERVIEW

This scenic tour will introduce you to Auckland’s distinctive blend of modern cosmopolitan influences and Polynesian traditions. A city wrapped around two sizable harbors and numerous ancient volcanoes, Auckland is home to nearly a third of all New Zealanders, and the environment they share here seems livable, indeed. A drive through 200-acre Auckland Domain provides a slice of the city’s idyllic greenery, while a visit to the imposingly white-columned Auckland Museum atop the park’s highest hill provides the history. This neoclassical building houses exhibits on New Zealand culture along with impressive Māori natural history collections. Enjoy a guided tour and go through a gripping exhibition that tells the story of New Zealand’s involvement in the 20th-century’s world wars. You’ll enjoy a spin along beautiful Tamaki Drive as it winds through historic Parnell Village and hugs the sandy beaches. Gaze on mega-yachts and the former America’s Cup Yachting Village in the Viaduct Harbor district, and later be dazzled by panoramic views of a sea of masts at Westhaven Yacht Marina – the Southern Hemisphere’s largest – as you cross the Auckland Harbor Bridge over glistening Waitemata Harbor. This signature span is a mecca for bungy-jumpers – you might see one boing by.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Explore the sights of New Zealand’s largest city and get a clear sense of its beauty and history.
• Travel by panoramic coach through lush green parkland, along gorgeous beaches, and past scenic marina districts.
• Tour the Auckland Museum, home to impressive Maori artifacts and moving 20th-century war memorabilia.
• Cross the iconic Auckland Harbor Bridge, spanning the obsidian waters of Waitemata Harbor.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Flat, comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
• Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen as needed.

OVERVIEW

Delve into the history of Auckland and enjoy a taste of its contemporary culture by visiting landmarks well worth exploring on your own and with a knowledgeable guide. After departing from the pier, you will soon arrive at Bastion Point lookout, where you will pause to admire the sweeping view of Waitemata Harbour and Auckland in the distance. This vantage point serves as an exceptional visual introduction to the city. Drive through the Auckland Domain, with nearly 200 acres of parkland in the heart of the city. It encompasses ponds, statuaries, tropical glass houses, and a wide variety of trees. Nestled within this idyllic retreat you will find the Auckland Museum. This neoclassical building houses exhibits on New Zealand culture along with impressive Māori natural history collections. Following your guided tour, you will have some free time to further browse the exhibits on your own. Travel over Auckland’s North Shore Harbour Bridge, passing beautiful Shoal Bay while en route to the affluent suburb of Takapuna on Auckland’s North Shore. Takapuna is home to a vibrant town center that has definite beach vibe and offers around 300 retail outlets to explore as well as numerous choices for dining on your own. You will have some free time here to do both.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Take in panoramic views of Waitemata Harbour and the Auckland skyline—a perfect introduction to the city.
• Discover one of the city’s oldest and most beautiful parks, featuring serene ponds, tropical glasshouses, and statuary-filled gardens.
• Explore Maori and Pacific heritage, Guided tour with time to browse exhibits at your own pace.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Flat, comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
• Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen as needed.

OVERVIEW

Watch an eye-opening Māori cultural performance at the Auckland Museum, which holds a treasure trove of Māori and Pacific Island artifacts. As an introduction to the city, you will drive past many of Auckland’s most emblematic attractions, such as the Victorian Era buildings in Parnell, the city’s first suburb. While crossing the Auckland Harbour Bridge, you will be treated to panoramic views of the skyline and the needle-like Sky Tower that rises above the sprawling urban landscape. Inside the museum, the focus with turn to Auckland’s proud Māori heritage. The performance will add more texture to your understanding of the Māori culture as it will include traditional songs, storytelling and a haka ritual meant to show physical prowess and Māori pride. You will have plenty to reflect upon on the return drive and photo stop at Bastion Point.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Learn about the Māori and Polynesian cultures by browsing the Auckland Museum.
• Watch a Māori performance of traditional dances, songs and storytelling.
• Admire the architectural icons while driving through downtown Auckland.
• See a different perspective of Auckland from the coastal lookout on Bastion Point.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Soar high above the vineyards and over the tree canopy of an ancient native forest on a series of ziplines for the ultimate adrenaline rush. The venue for this high-flying adventure will be the Eco Zip on Waiheke Island, which you will reach on a ferry. After Following a short drive to the Eco Zip Base, you will be harnessed and ready to go on the first of three ziplines, each one spanning more than 650 feet. These are dual ziplines, meaning you can be side-by-side with a friend as you race straight downhill at hair-raising speeds. You can expect it to be a nonstop thrill, even while pausing between the ziplines on Trig Hill, one of the island’s highest points. Back on solid ground, your adventure will continue with an interpretive nature walk along the forest floor, during which you will learn about the indigenous flora and fauna and history of the Māoris that first settled the island.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Ride a ferry to Waiheke Island for an eco-friendly zipline adventure.
• Race side-by-side with a friend over the forest and vineyards on three dual ziplines.
• Revel in the nonstop thrills and ever-changing views of the gorgeous landscape below.
• Follow a nature trail through the forest afterwards and learn about the flora and fauna.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Tear through Waitematā Harbor at heart-pounding speeds in a super-charged jet boat that doesn’t just sound exhilarating, it is. The moment you take a tiered seat in the open-air boat and the twin V8 engines roar to life, the thrills will begin in earnest. Prepare to get wet and to scream at the top of your lungs as the high-speed jet boat races off into the harbor. You may want to hang on with both hands because the captain just loves to fishtail the boat and make impossibly tight 180-degree turns. Your adrenaline will be flowing like a fire hose. Then when you least expect it, the captain will stop the jet boat on a dime in a controlled power brake that is sure to raise goosebumps. As you catch your breath, the captain will point out and describe Auckland’s historical landmarks. Then it’s full throttle and pedal to the metal once again.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Race through Waitematā Harbor on a turbo-charged jet boat with twin V8 engines.
• Be awed by how the boat effortlessly maneuvers at top speed and then stops on a dime.
• Hear enlightening commentary about Auckland during breaks on the water.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Walk through the heart of Auckland and stop along the way for tastings at culinary venues whose offerings best represent the local cuisine. The city’s foodie scene is alive and well as you will discover by sampling all sorts of signature dishes and treats, some of them at places off-the-beaten track that local mostly frequent. You might start with a cup of freshly brewed coffee and a popular Kiwi sweet such as pavlova, a meringue-based dessert named for its resemblance to the fluffy tutu of Russian prima ballerina Anna Pavlova. You will also be offered delicious bites that reflect Auckland’s multicultural roots, in particular samplings with Pacific Island and Asian-inspired flavors. The highlight will likely be the generous chef’s table tasting, a sit-down affair topped off with decadent desserts. To enhance the experience, the guide will share entertaining stories about some of Auckland’s oldest pubs and how once-hidden lanes evolved into trendy dining districts.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Sample dishes and sweets that reflect Auckland’s reputation as a foodie haven.
• Walk through downtown for tastings of dishes that represent the ethnic population.
• Settle in for an elaborate chef’s table tasting that includes truly decadent desserts.
• Hear entertaining stories about how Auckland’s foodie scene has evolved over the years.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.