First we cross the Auckland harbour bridge for magnificent views of Westhaven Marina, Waitemata harbour and iconic Rangitoto Volcano – Auckland’s youngest Volcano estimated to have risen out of the sea only 650 to 700 years ago.
Enjoy coastal views as we travel along Scenic Drive on the Eastern Bays waterfront to Mission Bay
This harbour front road is 10km long, runs from the Central Business District around to St Heliers Bay and is used for part the Auckland Marathon.

This is a popular beach side suburb in summer brimming with cafes, restaurants and bars and popular with Aucklanders in the weekends – see Auckland’s most expensive street – “Paratai Drive” for views over Waitemata harbour & Orakei marina.

Arrive Mt Eden. This extinct fifteen thousand year old volcano is just behind the central business district and sits above the charming village of the same name . Mt Eden is one of the many desirable leafy residential suburbs of Auckland.

We will take a 15 minute uphill walk to the summit Mt Eden, or by it’s original Maori name Maungawhau, the mountain of the Whau Tree.

Visit  Kumeu River Wines –  Taste a selection of five wines and enjoy a private behind the scenes tour of the Winery from the Presses, to the Barrel Room housing around 700 Burgundia  Francois Freres Barriques. The tour goes through the tank farm and finally the bottling line – You will gain a rare insight into how their world famous Chardonnays are fermented using their own unique strains of Sachhrymiis. Michael Brajkovich MW wine maker has a degree in Oenology, is a Mater of Wine and one of the most resepected winemakers in New Zealand.

Take lunch at the historic Riverhead Tavern and in the afternoon visit Muriwai beach or Piha beach settlementsand take in the majesty of the wild West Coast before  the return trip to Auckland

9.00am – 4.30pm

1 – 3 passengers NZ$950.00

4 – 6 passengers NZ$995.00

Winery tour and tasting fees included

Lunch costs are at the travellers own expense

Complimentary Auckland Domestic or International Airport drop off

Enjoy the best of both coasts on this epic full day tour that visits wineries in both Kumeu and beautiful Matakana.

Start the day by visiting beautiful Piha beach. This black sand beach settlement is popular for surfing and people that love to be surrounded by Native bush and tranquilty.

After a 50 minute drive through the spectacular Waiatekere ranges head to Kumeu to Taste wine at Soljans Vineyard

Soljans grow  Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Pinotage on their own property and source varieties like Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir from Marlborough as well as Bordeaux and Rhone varieties like Merlot, Malbec and Syrah from Hawkes Bay. They have an enviable reputation for their Blanc de Blanc Methode Traditionelle NV as well as their 10 year aged Tawny Port

Next we traverse through classic rural countryside, through the Satelite towns of Orewa, Waiwera and Warkworth. On the way stop and see a majestc 900 year old Kauri Tree before we stop in the tiny Matakana Village to take lunch at Matakana Market Kitchen who have a comprehensive menu comprising Fresh local fish, steak, lamb, and many other dishes including vegetarian options to suit all tastes.

Matakana is both a village and a region in general in which there are a number of artisan Beer and Wine producers and depending on the day we can choose from a selection from Matakana Estate, Herons Flight, Runner Duck Omaha Bay Vineyard and Brick Bay.

Omaha Vineyard specialize in reds like Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Montepuciano, Malbec and Petit Verdot, but also make Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, flora and Rose.

You can choose between a scenic side trip to the picturesque  regional parks of Tawharanui or Maharangi

On the way back to Auckland you might want to stop in and take in the history at the famous “Puhoi Pub” one of the oldest drinking esatblishments in New Zealand.

9.30am – 5.00pm

1 – 3 passengers NZ$1095.00

4 – 6 passengers NZ$1195.00

Winery and/or beer tasting fees included at two venues

Lunch costs are at the travellers own expense

Complimentary Auckland Domestic or International Airport drop off

A three hour drive south from Auckland takes you through the Hauraki Plains to the mighty province of Waikato, home to stuning dairy farm land and New Zealand’s second largest city Hamilton. We cross New Zealand’s largest River  as we make our way down to Tirau.

Tirau is a charming rural town full of tourist shops and is famous for two of it’s buildings one in the shape of a sheep and another in the shape of a sheep dog. We stop here for a mid morning coffee at one of the local cafes.

Continuing South we visit the Te Waihou Blue Spring which is fed from the Mamaku Plateau. This water is old – it takes 100 years to filter through to this point and is the clearest water in the North Island.

As we continue on to Rotorua we will pass through Fitzgerald glade befor reaching the second most visited tourist town in New Zealand – Rotorua. Famous for it’s steam and bubbling mud, Rotorua has long been a magnet for cultural and geothermal tourism 

Whilst here there are many options to choose from including a visit to the Agrodome to learn about the various sheep breeds and farm practices, or perhaps a trip up the Sky Line Gondola for a wine tasting and spectacular buffet lunch.

In the afternoon visit Rotorua’s premier destination for geysers Te Puia, located in the Te Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley just five minutes from the city center.

This world-famous centre offers a Guided Experience + Haka. It includes a 90-minute tour of the geothermal valley, Pōhutu Geyser, and the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute, followed by a 30-minute traditional cultural performance. You can also book a combo that includes a “hangi” buffet lunch.

Finally take a side trip to see  stunning Lake Tarawera to take in the beauty  before the three hour return trip to Auckland

8.30am – 6.00pm

1 – 3 passengers NZ$1195.00

4 – 6 passengers NZ$1295.00

Any shows, entrance costs, gondola fees are not included

Lunch costs are at the travellers own expense

Complimentary Auckland Domestic or International Airport drop off