After the pick-up from your city accommodation, you travel up Queen St, through Auckland’s central business district, past Auckland University and through the inner city park, known as The Domain. We continue on through the picturesque suburb of Ponsonby, known for its historic buildings, before heading over the Harbour Bridge to the North Shore.
You stroll on Narrow Neck Beach in historic Devonport before continuing up to the summit of Mt Victoria where there are stunning panoramic views of Auckland city and the Waitemata Harbour. Then travel back over the Harbour Bridge to Westhaven Marina, one of the largest marinas in the Southern Hemisphere.
In the afternoon, leave behind the bustle of Auckland city and head northwest to taste the flavours of Kumeu Wine Country, Auckland’s Heritage Wine Region. Enjoy lunch at a contemporary vineyard restaurant, sample world renowned wines and marvel at the rugged surf-fringed coastline nearby.
Your first stop is at Soljans Vineyard. Soljans has won many awards for their wines and they are also widely acknowledged in New Zealand as being an expert producer of methode traditionelle (bottle-fermented) sparkling wines.
Enjoy lunch and a wine tasting at Soljans Winery restaurant. The winery is built with sunshine in mind and serves Mediterranean-style food with a New Zealand twist, showcasing fresh seasonal produce from around the region.
Next to tempt the taste buds is Coopers Creek vineyard which offers outstanding wines from New Zealand”s best regions. Coopers Creek produce a wide variety of wines and are adventurous in their choice of grapes and blends.
Next you visit one of the region’s special places where you have the chance to see one of the world’s largest seabirds in their natural environment. Your journey takes you to one of the few mainland gannet nesting sites in the world situated on the cliff-tops overlooking the Tasman Sea. Here you get a close-up of gannet behaviour without disturbing their environment. The views extend for miles along the wild, black sand beach of Muriwai.
Your final tasting is at West Brook Winery. The West Brook cellar door looks across an idyllic duck pond and terraced picnic area to row after row of vines. The wines reflect true varietal character and their unique regional origins. Without exception they are premium quality and have won numerous awards.
This full day Auckland tour including both a city tour and a wine tour is a great introduction to the region.