Auckland – The City of Sails

Auckland is one of the best kept secrets of New Zealand and a destination on the must do list of our team.  The Lifestyle team have put together a 5 day fun packed itinerary for you to build your Auckland adventure:

Day 1 
Viaduct Harbour –  No trip to the City of Sails would be complete without a visit to this waterfront precinct in the heart of the city.  Located front and centre in the Harbour stands the marina filled with yachts and launches as the backdrop to over 30 bars and restaurants.  If staying in the Viaduct precinct, you have the choice of two 5 Star Hotels, the Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour and the Hilton Auckland, both with panoramic views over Waitemata Harbour.

Spend your morning Sailing a former America’s Cup yacht.  Feel the thrill of sailing on one of these authentic America’s Cup yacht when you take the helm to help steer on course or work hard on the grinders to hoist the mainsail during this hands on sailing adventure on Auckland’s Waitemata Harbour with Explore Group.

Culture – Immerse yourself in the history of Auckland with a visit to the newly developed Auckland Art Gallery, Toi o Tamaki. The gallery is home to more than 15,000 works in its national and international collections, with art through the ages since colonial times. Toi o Tamaki hosts a huge variety of exhibitions and activities, and the new auditorium hosts regular documentaries and talks.

Day 2
Adventure Day – If it is adventure you seek then it is adventure you will find in this cosmopolitan city.  The SkyJump is the tallest man-made structure in New Zealand, standing 328 metres and boasting 360-degree views of this beautiful harbour city.  The only better view is from the ground, watching thrill seekers leap from the tower’s 192-metre SkyJump, the highest tethered jump in the country, or inch their way around the observation decks on the SkyWalk.

Aside from SkyJump, there’s canyoning on the west coast, bungy jumping 47 metres off the iconic Auckland harbour bridge, scenic helicopter rides across the city with Inflite scenic tours and tours on the back of a Harley-Davidson.

Auckland Bridge Climb – AJ Hackett Bungy provides the only walking access onto this Auckland landmark.  Your guide will share the Bridge’s colourful secrets, amazing architectural features and point out some of the best Auckland sights.

Adventurers, this is one not to be missed.  Featuring stunning views of the Waitemata Harbour and an exclusive Bridge walk out to the Bungy pod, this will be an experience that will thrill and surprise you.

Auckland Jet Boat – Located in Viaduct Harbour, at Wharf 1,  board the fastest jet boats in Auckland to experience Waitemata Harbour at high speed, while you take in the view of Auckland City Skyline, Auckland Harbour Bridge, the Hauraki Gulf Volcanoes and of course Auckland’s famous Sky Tower.

Inflite Helicopter Experiences – enjoy a scenic flight over the City of Sails, the harbour beaches to Rangitoto Island, Island Hopping or set out on a Heli-Fishing or land in style for a game of gold at at one of Auckland’s world-class golf course – Cape Kidnappers, Gulf Harbour or Kauri Cliffs Golf Courses.

Day 3
Island Getaway & Wine Tasting – Waiheke Island is the ultimate island retreat.  Waiheke is just a short 35-minute ferry ride from downtown Auckland or arrive in style by Inflite Helicopter to your lunch destination – Mudbrick NZ Vineyard & Restaurant, Stonyridge Vineyard & Restaurant, Cable Bay Vineyard & Restaurant, Te Whau Vineyard & Restaurant or Bracu Restaurant.   Waiheke is known as the island of wine for its many wineries and vineyards, a wine tasting.

Tour the wineries Join a guided tour to experience some of Waiheke’s fabulous wineries. Enjoy tastings of award-winning wines and relax over a scrumptious vineyard lunch.

Stroll the sands – Wander along the white sand at Oneroa and Onetangi beaches – two of the island’s best beaches.

Get adventurous – There are lots of activities for adventure seekers on Waiheke Island.  Try archery and laser clay pigeon shooting, hire a scooter for your own day of adventure, take a scenic flight or zoom across the tree tops on a flying fox zipline.

Discover art for art’s sake – Take in Waiheke’s fantastic arts scene, from the local galleries and studios or a visit to the sculpture park.

Day 4
Shopping and Dining – One of the hippest neighbourhoods in Auckland, Ponsonby is a hub of dining, shopping and gallery-hopping. Ponsonby Social Club is one of the best bars in the city – with live music, DJs and swanky cocktails.  Hot dining spots to add to your dining bucket list – The Blue Breeze Inn, Tokyo Club, Ponsonby Road Bistro, Sidart Restaurant, Prego, Jervois Steak House, Cocoro and the new kid on the block, United Kitchen.

The dining scene in Auckland has come alive in recent years and leading the way is the Britomart precinct.  Highlights include Cafe Hanoi, the Depot Eatery and Oyster Bar,  Britomart Country Club, Ebisu, Mexico, Racket, XuXu Dumpling Bar and Everybody’s Bar & Bistro – set in the glamorously decayed remnants of a 200-year-old cinema with plush booth seating, a relaxed lounge atmosphere and great casual bistro eating – New York-style.

Day 5
Coastal Walk – The Coast to Coast Walkway is a great way to get a little exercise and discover more about the history and unique features of Auckland. The 16 kilometre walk will take you from Viaduct Harbour to Manukau Harbour sharing beautiful views and the chance to climb a volcano or two.  Walk Highlights:

Auckland University historical buildings and leafy streets, The Domain – Auckland’s oldest park, popular for its beautiful grounds, duck ponds, the Winter Gardens and Auckland Museum, Mount Eden – Maungawhau is the tallest volcano in Auckland, reaching 196 metres, One Tree Hill – Maungakiekie is one of the largest former Māori settlement complexes in New Zealand, and has even been claimed to be the largest pre-historic earth fort in the world. The volcano sits amongst the beautiful grassy parkland and gardens of Cornwall Park.