7 Night NZ Expedition to Hauraki Gulf Cruise & Stay
Auckland
Five Night Hauraki Gulf Discovery Cruise
Two nights of premium accommodation in Auckland
3 course dinner at Auckland's Sky Tower restaurant, Orbit
Return private airport transfers & more!
From $4,899 Typically $5,589 pp twin share
Book NowDescription
Explore New Zealand's stunning coastline on this incredible expedition package!
Rediscover New Zealand's largest city with a stay in Auckland at the gorgeous Hotel Britomart. Enjoy time at leisure in the city, before enjoying a delicious 3-course meal complete with incredible views at Orbit, the Auckland Sky Tower restaurant. Get physical with an 'All Black's Experience', learning about the history and importance of the championship Rugby team, before visiting the marvellous Weta Workshop (known for their work on the Lord of the Rings, the Hobbit, Avatar and much more).
Then it's back to nature - New Zealand's specialty! Board your expedition cruise ship for a five-day exploration of the unique Hauraki Gulf islands. Explore wildlife sanctuaries, taste some of Waiheke's award winning wines, learn about the successful conservation efforts around the Gulf and spot diverse marine wildlife in their natural habitats.
Itinerary Downloadable Itinerary
Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Day 8
Arrive Auckland
Transfer from Auckland airport to your accommodation in a private vehicle.
Spend the day settling in, before getting ready for your 3 course dinner at Orbit, the restaurant at Auckland's Skytower.
Accommodation: The Hotel Britomart, Galway Room
Meals: 3 course dinner at the Orbit restaurant
Auckland
Check out of your accommodation this morning before heading to your first experience of the day: the All Blacks Experience. This includes a 45 minute guided tour where you learn what it takes to make, shape and be an All Black. This will include learning the story and feeling the passion behind the All Blacks haka, up close and personal. You can then test your rugby skills against All Blacks and Black Ferns in our hands on, interactive zone.
Finish up in the interactive zone before heading towards your next stop: the iconic Weta Workshop, best known for their work on the fantastic Lord of the Rings Series, as well as The Hobbit, Indiana Jones, Avatar and much more. Take on the 'Uleashed' experience, in a world where the lines between fantasy and reality are blurred. Step into the fantastical film effects workshop and explore the worlds of horror, sci-fi and fantasy in-the-making. It’s a journey through Weta Workshop’s creative process that needs to be seen to be believed.
Your 90-minute guided experience includes:
- Monsters, giants and robots – oh my!
- Interactive gizmos
- Discombobulating displays
- Fantastical set-pieces from the worlds of horror, fantasy and sci-fi
- Eye-popping practical effects: discover how our crew design, build and bring them to life
Once you have finished up, its time to grab a bite and head over to Auckland’s Viaduct Harbour to board your Five Night Hauraki Gulf Discovery Cruise.
Make yourself at home as we set off into the Hauraki Gulf towards Bon Accord Harbour, Kawau Island, to our anchorage for the evening. There will be time to relax and join other guests for a drink before sitting down to a delicious buffet dinner. Your crew will brief you during the evening on the following day’s itinerary to suit the conditions.
Accommodation: The Te Haerenga cruise ship in an ocean view cabin
Meals: A la carte breakfast, buffet dinner
Kawau Island - Waiheke island
After breakfast you can choose to explore the bay by Kayak or Paddle Board, enjoy a refreshing swim or take a walk from Mansion House Bay over to the Copper Mine, where the boat will meet you. Once everyone is back on board, our next stop will be Tiritiri Matangi to discover the island sanctuary’s unrivalled range of wildlife and one of the country’s most successful conservation projects. After lunch we will head over to Waiheke Island where we will spend the evening and enjoy dinner together overlooking another spectacular bay.
Accommodation: The Te Haerenga cruise ship in an ocean view cabin
Meals: continental breakfast, lunch, dinner
Waiheke island
Enjoy breakfast, then either take a walk to Stony Batter Historic Reserve, partake in some water activities or just relax on the beach. We will head off to explore another beautiful bay on Waiheke Island in the afternoon where we will anchor for the evening.
Accommodation: The Te Haerenga cruise ship in an ocean view cabin
Meals: continental breakfast, lunch, dinner
Waiheke island- Great Barrier
After a leisurely breakfast, we will make our way over to Port Fitzroy Harbour, Great Barrier Island. Make sure you look out for dolphins and whales along the way as there is an abundance of them all around the Hauraki Gulf. Spend the afternoon enjoying your choice of water activities or on shore excursions before we move to Smoke House Bay for cocktails and a BBQ dinner.
Accommodation: The Te Haerenga cruise ship in an ocean view cabin
Meals: continental breakfast, lunch, dinner
Great Barrier
Enjoy a buffet breakfast and take in the sights of the bay before we head off to discover more of this amazing island. Explore the area by Kayak or Paddle Board, take a walk on one of the many tracks or just simply relax. Then enjoy the peaceful surrounds of the tranquil bay as we spend our last evening together.
Accommodation: The Te Haerenga cruise ship in an ocean view cabin
Meals: continental breakfast, lunch, dinner
Great Barrier - Auckland
After breakfast, we will make our way back across the Hauraki Gulf with a stop at Rakino Island for lunch and your choice of water activities. We will arrive back in Auckland for a 4.00pm disembarkation at Viaduct Harbour.
Accommodation: The Hotel Britomart, Galway Room
Meals: continental breakfast, lunch
Auckland
Check out of your hotel this morning and take your private transfer back to the airport.
Want to extend your trip? Get in touch with us today!
Meals: Continental breakfast
Inclusions & Exclusions
Inclusions
- Five Night Hauraki Gulf Discovery Cruise
- Return private airport transfers
- Two nights of premium accommodation in Auckland
- 'All Blacks' experience
- Weta Workshop tour
- 3 course dinner at Auckland's Sky Tower restaurant, Orbit
- All meals onboard, as well as non-alcoholic drinks (alcoholic drinks available to purchase)
- All site & entry fees as per the itinerary
Cruise information:
Te Haerenga - The fully refurbished cruise vessel was purpose-built for overnight cruising and has a full suite of amenities to ensure ultimate comfort and relaxation throughout your time on board. It features four levels, including an expansive sun deck.
The five night cruise visits a combination of islands including Rangitoto, Motutapu, Motuihe, Waiheke, Rotoroa, Ponui, Tiritiri Matangi, Kawau and will continue on to Great Barrier Island and/or Coromandel Peninsular depending on conditions.
Includes:
- Accommodation in double or twin share cabin, all with ocean views
- Bathroom amenities including soap, shampoo, conditioner and body lotion
- Complimentary self-serve tea & coffee
- Wi-Fi is complimentary on board for all guests (where service is accessible)
- All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner, morning and afternoon tea) and non-alcoholic beverages are included.
- Water sports and shore excursions, examples may not be available on every trip but including:Island Walks, Wildlife encounters, Conservation education and excursions, Historic and cultural sites, visits to wineries, Guided Kayaking, Tender excursions, Swimming, Snorkelling, SUP (stand-up paddle boarding), inherent with the routes travelled, opportunistic wildlife viewing including whales, dolphins, seals, penguins, birdlife and more.
Exclusions
- Return international flights
- Travel insurance
- Any meals not included in the itinerary
- Items of a personal nature, such as souvenirs
Important information
Child policy: children are allowed on board, however must be accompanied by a paying adult on all Explore Group tours and cruises. No child discounts apply.
Single supplement: travelling solo? Single supplement is available at checkout.
Cancellations: this product is subject to our Traveldream 14 Day Refund Guarantee. If the passenger wishes to cancel or change after 14 days has passed it is subject to availability and any extra fees, charges or fare differences must be covered by the customer. Bookings are non-refundable if cancelled within 14 days of departure or in the event of a no show.
COVID-19: If customers aren’t able to travel, or the cruise is unable to operate as scheduled, due to Covid-19 restrictions within New Zealand, a full refund will be provided.
Itinerary: Explore Group reserves the right to alter proposed routes or cancel any departure in the interest of passenger safety and/or comfort.
Fitness & Health: Some activities are not recommended for pregnant women and people with certain medical conditions. or A moderate level of general fitness is recommended for this itinerary, which may include walking up slight inclines, flights of stairs and uneven terrain.
