Waiheke Island (Coming Soon)

Whanganui / Home (March 17th)

If departing from Wanganui meet at the Wanganui Racecourse for a 7.30am departure and travel north to National Park for some lovely morning tea. We carry on enjoying the scenery with a great lunch stop in Te Kuiti. 

Our next destination is Halfmoon Bay to catch our ferry over to Waiheke Island. Then it is straight to our great beach front accommodation for the next three nights before enjoying our first scrumptious group dinner.

*For those departing from another destination you have your own personal itinerary to get you to join the group. All details will be provided in your personal information pack, sent  prior to travel.

Waiheke Island (March 18th)

After a relaxed start to the day we board the coach for our first day of exploring the island. We head west with the first stop just down the road where we experience a slice of Old Waiheke at the Waiheke Museum and Historic Village.

From here it's just a short drive into the main township, Oneroa. You will be given free time to enjoy this delightful seaside village with magnificent views over the Hauraki Gulf which has an abundance of interesting and eclectic shops, cafes and restaurants to entertain you.

Back on board we head out for a scenic drive before arriving at one of the most highly rated wineries on Waiheke, Mudbrick Restaurant and Vineyard. We will enjoy a delicious lunch and a wine tasting if you choose.

This afternoon we head to Whittaker's Music Museum for a guided tour where we will be introduced to some of the quirkier characteristics of the more unusual instruments.  There are over 100 antique instruments carefully restored including concertinas, bandonions, harpsichord, dulcitone, pianolas, theatre organ and Paderewski’s 1897 9ft Bechstein concert grand piano.

Then we head out to the spectacular Sacred Blessing Sanctuary Gardens, located in Enclosure Bay on the northern side of the island. This two acre garden is an oasis of plant diversity to experience including a private collection of sculptures.

We then head back to our accommodation for some time to yourself  to maybe enjoy Onetangi beach before getting ready for another great dinner at one of the highly rated restaurants on the island.

Accommodation: Onetangi Beach Apartments

Waiheke Island (March 19th)

Another relaxed start to the day before we head out where the first stop  will be the vibrant and diverse Waiheke Ostend markets held every Saturday. You will be  given  time to explore the many stalls and meet the friendly locals. 

From here we head out to the unknown but excellent Dead Dog Bay Wetland Garden And Sculpture park. We will be guided through this contemporary NZ art and sculpture park in extensive parkland gardens of NZ natives, exotic trees, shrubs and flowers.

It is then just a short drive to our great lunch stop for the day before heading out on the afternoon adventures. For those who are keen and able you have the chance to experience the Stoney Batter tunnels. The WWII Coastal Defence Fortress was commissioned in 1942 under absolute secrecy, the complex comprises 1.2km’s of subterranean passages, chambers and stairwells all tunnelled by hand. Due to the physical requirements this is an optional activity (own expense). 

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For those not wishing to visit this site we will continue on the eastern path to the exceptional Man O War winery. For an unparalleled wine experience you literally can’t go past Man O’ War – New Zealand’s only beachfront tasting experience.

You will be invited for a wine tasting and you will have time to simply sit back and relax in this idyllic setting. Once the others have joined the group and enjoyed a glass of wine we make our way back to Onetangi for some R & R before gathering for our last dinner on Waiheke at another highly rated restaurant. 

Accommodation: Onetangi Beach Apartments

Waiheke Island (March 20th)

Today we leave this beautiful island and head back to the mainland. We then travel north to Matakana to experience the world class attraction of Sculpeturum. With three sculpture-filled gardens, six art galleries, a vineyard, an events space and Rothko restaurant and bar, there is something for everyone. After a great lunch you will have free time to roam at your own pace.

Auckland (March 21st)

After a scrumptious breakfast we head south to Te Rapa where we’ll stop at The Base shopping center to hunt out some bargains or to grab yourself some morning tea. 

We then continue south towards Taupo with another great lunch stop at the award winning Lava Glass complex which offers a unique window into the art of glassblowing and original New Zealand inspired glass art. You will be given time to view the glassblowing studio and to wander the sculpture garden.

We then follow the great lake south and make our way back home with a final rest stop in Raetihi.