EXCURSIONES EN TIERRA

OVERVIEW

Experience a New Zealand natural attraction that has thrilled visitors from around the world since Victorian times. This full-day excursion by comfortable coach travels into the heartland of the North Island, crossing the Bombay Hills and through lush Waikato Valley dairy terrain to reach the Waitomo Caves in about three hours. Once there, you’ll step into a subterranean world of 30-million-year-old limestone formations like the famous Organ and lofty Cathedral chamber. Stalagmites and stalactites form pillars and crooked fingers of calcite stone that, in the low light, take on both beautiful and monstrous proportions. The highlight of this visit, though, is reached by open boat, gliding along an underground river in pitch darkness as you enter the realm of the glow worm. High above you on the ceiling are astounding galaxies and constellations of blue-green light created by millions of bio-luminescent glow worm larvae who dwell in this odd environment. Total silence is a must since this wondrous light show will switch off instantly if the worms are disturbed. Following this illuminating experience, you’ll travel to nearby Crosshills Farm for a light buffet lunch ahead of the return drive to Auckland.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Settle in for a scenic 3-hour drive to a natural attraction that’s been amazing visitors since the 1880s.
• Walk through Waitomo Caves and a fascinating world of pillars, chambers and formations carved out of limestone over thousands of years.
• Glide by boat along an underground river in total darkness to reach the highlight of the visit – the brilliant glowworm grotto.
• Gaze up in wonder at a ceiling lit into shimmering galaxies by millions of bio-luminescent glow worms.
• Enjoy a light and tasty buffet lunch at Crosshills Farm.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Wear casual, weather-appropriate clothing including a wind/waterproof jacket.
• Flat, comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
• Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen – but you won’t need them in the caves.

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.

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. Inside, you’ll come face-to-face with impressive full-scale artifacts from the region’s rich Maori and Polynesian heritage and tour 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 of Okahu Bay and Mission Bay. 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.

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, which houses an impressive collection of Maori and Pacific artifacts that include a carved meeting house and impressive 85-foot-long war canoe made from a single log. 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.