SECrEtS OF nZ

dePARTuRes: December 2015

y 1 Auckland Glenfern Arid Seven Night Cruise Sanctuary Island y 2 andTlE BARRIER ISlAND Port Run away and find award fitzroy y 3 Waiheke island Broken winning vineyards that are Islands G 4 great Barrier island complimented by fresh seafood G 5 great Barrier island andAT BARRIER ISlAND in the beautiful Auckland Hauraki Bon Accord Harbour y 6 MATAkANA vineyards Gulf. Live luxuriously on board, Copper Mine y 7 Matakana andAU ISlAND Cape Colville with gourmet food, fine wine y 8 Auckland

andI TIRI MATANGI and five-star comfort. Explore ISlAND Motukawao Mercury private sanctuaries, historic Group Islands departing from auckland, our Secrets of auckland cruises are designed to deliver what you need most – andHEkE ISlAND Hook Bay places, gorgeous islands angitotoO Coromandel wine, fresh seafood, rest, rejuvenation and just the Town Rotoroa and stunning beaches. Island right amount of adventure. you can explore the andUIHE AUCklAND ISlAND Ponui Island islands with expert guides who will introduce CITY you to the region’s rarest wildlife. you discover wineries, galleries and a grand historic mansion. you can go fishing, kayaking or hiking. But most of all, you can take it easy in high style. a good book, a cool drink and a comfortable steamer chair – the recipe for relaxation. SECrEtS OF auCkland nZ

Day 1 Tuesday the philosophy of the family owned vineyard has been to focus on We meet and transfer you from auckland airport to the luxurious Sebel producing the very best wines from the site matched with thorough attention “There is a downside to the trip. Suites hotel. We want you to have sufficient free time to fall in love with in the Vineyard and wine production. the vineyard is planted on steep After you leave the ship you’ll find this auckland. a dinner at one of the many waterfront restaurants is just north facing slopes on clay soils and organic and biodynamic methods one of the numerous options available. there is a world of multi-cultural are used in the Vineyard. kennedy Point is fully certified by Organic Farms it difficult to adjust to life ashore. activities on your doorstep. n.Z. as of august 2010, an organic certification program designed for But you can also expect a fuller small producers. Day 2 Wednesday – Breakfast, Dinner heart... once it mends.”

after a leisurely breakfast at the Sebel you have some free time to further Obsidian Vineyard nestles in the coastal hills of the Onetangi Valley PamEla explore the city. you begin boarding the ship between 3- 4pm alongside adjacent to the northern coast of Waiheke island. here, small batches Princes Wharf. Once you are familiar with the ship and safety drill is of wine are grown on four discrete hillsides set out in an amphitheatre- completed we sail at 5pm. We cruise past mysterious – like fashion. the sheltered vines enjoy high levels of heat summation, you’ll learn about the island’s history as you sip a cocktail on the aft deck tempered by the maritime breeze. the mineralized clay soil is rich in and get acquainted with fellow guests and crew. your first night aboard iron and manganese oxides, and overlays ancient weathered rock. these ‘island Passage’ is spent anchored at Waiheke island with dinner served conditions perfectly suit the noble red and white grapes originating from from 7pm. Welcome to cruising life at its best. the mediterranean countries.

Day 3 Thursday - Breakfast, lunch, Dinner Passage rock Wines was established in 1993 to specialize in producing your Waiheke day could start with a refreshing ocean swim off the back Waiheke wines of distinction, recognising the strengths of each site and of the ship or sleep in until it’s time for a sumptuous breakfast on deck (with region to produce the best wine for the season, the site and the most champagne if you fancy) – whatever you need to begin the day in a great appropriate grape variety. their Syrah is recognised as one of the finest mood. late morning we go ashore for wine tasting or an cultural visit. in and has an incredible 6 gold medals from just 3 years and it has ranked in the top 5 in nZ. Wine Tour kennedy Point Vineyard was established in 1996 and from the beginning, We finish with lunch at the Passage rock café. Seated amongst the vines, SECrEtS OF auCkland nZ

the café is the perfect setting to just relax and take in the beautiful views. Photo opportunities – the kaiaraara kauri dam is a relic from the island’s the ship is anchored in the bay below and after lunch we are back forestry days. Constructed entirely from kauri logs, it has a ‘trapdoor’ that onboard to move to our next location. opens to let the water and logs pass through. the hot pools in kaitoke Creek are another goal to aim for when planning your Great Barrier Day 4 friday - Breakfast, lunch, Dinner island hikes – there’s nothing nicer than a steaming bath in the wilderness. With a population of just 850, Great Barrier is a wild and enchanting tonight is French Fine dining night – duck confit, vanilla pannacotta, ooh paradise with amazing stories to tell. Fitzroy harbour, on the sheltered la la! side of the island, is one of the country’s most beautiful harbours. in many places the water is deep - right up to the shore – making it possible to Day 6 Sunday - Breakfast, lunch, Dinner anchor and tie the stern to a pohutukawa tree. kaka parrots squawk Breakfast is the full american, complete with free-range eggs, home-made overhead, performing entertaining aerobatics. rare pateke ducks cruise hash browns and freshly-baked bread. Or cereal and juice if you wish. from boat to boat, posing for photographs. tall forested mountains create kawau’s unique character rests on the historic shoulders of Sir George a backdrop of amazing natural beauty. Grey, who owned the island from 1862 to 1888. Within the sheltered Great Barrier has a colourful history involving whaling, gold and silver haven of beautiful Bon accord harbour there are many picturesque bays, mining, shipwrecks and alternative lifestyles. today, a passion for however mansion house Bay is the most remarkable. here you can tour conservation connects the residents who believe (with good reason) that Sir ’s stately home, then stroll along the road that Grey’s they’ve found heaven on earth. more than 120 kilometres of walking carriage (pulled by two zebras!) used to take. From the historic coach tracks let you connect with Great Barrier island’s wild spirit. in particular, road, a track leads to the picturesque ruins of a seashore copper mine – the Glenfern Sanctuary guided walk will give you a special insight into the oxidised copper colours are truly amazing. Watch the forest closely this earthly paradise. a highlight is the swing bridge that lets you climb when you’re walking back - you might spot a wallaby. into the crown of a 600-year-old kauri tree. another great kawau walk is the redwood track, which reveals an “Thank you! This is a dream today’s lunch is all about seafood – freshly-caught fish and green-lipped interesting collection of exotic trees planted by Grey – redwoods, australian mussels, which are sensational with a glass of new Zealand’s renowned bush cherry and bunyabunya pines, to name just a few. a visit to the yacht come true. The crew, the boat sauvignon blanc.. club bar will help you to connect with the island’s own brand of charm. and New Zealand.” Day 5 Saturday - Breakfast, lunch, Dinner Day 7 Monday - Breakfast and Dinner AhylliS, ariZOna uSa Coastal explorations add a special magic to your Great Barrier experience. after breakfast we are into the tenders for one of our favourite shore you can do it the fast way, in one of our high-powered tenders, or you can excursions. Experience the food, wine and arts of matakana Coast where slip into a sea kayak and enjoy the tranquillity of paddling at your pace. your informed and entertaining guides make it an exhilarating “assault on and then there’s the fantastic fishing – you catch ‘em, we’ll cook ‘em. the senses” day out.

today the choices are many: forest-hiking to the kauri dam, kaitoke the heart of matakana Coast Wine Country has the ideal combination hot springs or the summit of mount hobson; a peaceful kayak tour on of gourmet and retail therapy. Visit morris & James Pottery, where you the pristine waters of the harbour; a trip to miners head in one of our are greeted by a pure visual spectacle of layer upon layer of design and tenders; fishing at a never-fail spot known only to the locals; or seabird colour from matt black to luscious red. lunch is at mahurangi river Winery photography from a chair on the deck. We’ll help you to find something with its contemporary new Zealand architecture and wide pastoral that suits your interests. views. tour the winery and barrel room and sample their wine (made secrets of auckland NZ

from grapes grown only on the property) before taking time to enjoy the local cuisine.

From here Brick Bay Sculpture Trail showcases an ever-changing exhibition of contemporary sculptures by leading New Zealand artists. Sample their hand-crafted wines in the unique Glass House building. The day is rounded off with a stop at Chocolate Brown, where they hand-make outrageously fine chocolates.

We return to the ship late afternoon. After you are comfortable onboard we leave Kawau Island and pass through numerous islands of the inner to arrive at Rakino Island in time for dinner. Tonight is the farewell party so be prepared for a late night.

Day 8 Tuesday – Breakfast This morning we sail from Rakino and have breakfast under way. You’ll bid a fond farewell to all on the Island Passage at 11am when we arrive alongside Princes Wharf. Passengers who are flying today will be transferred to the airport.