Waiheke Island, New Zealand

Waiheke Island, just a short ferry ride from Auckland, is a must-visit destination for a perfect day trip. Known for its stunning beaches, world-class wineries, and vibrant arts scene, Waiheke offers diverse activities for every type of traveler. My day trip there not too long ago included wine, food, and good fun. Here is a sample of what you might do on your day trip to the island.

Morning: Start your day with a scenic ferry ride from downtown Auckland, enjoying breathtaking views of the Hauraki Gulf. Upon arrival, head to Oneroa, the island’s main village, where you can explore charming shops, art galleries, and cafes.

Late Morning: Walk along the beautiful Oneroa Beach or venture to the more secluded Palm Beach for relaxation and sunbathing.

Lunch: Indulge in a leisurely lunch at one of Waiheke’s renowned wineries. With over 30 vineyards on the island, you’ll have many options. Many wineries offer exquisite dining experiences with stunning vineyard views and delicious local wines.

Afternoon: Post-lunch, immerse yourself in the island’s natural beauty. Embark on a hike along one of the many scenic trails, like the Te Ara Hura track network. These trails, designed for all fitness levels, showcase the island’s diverse landscapes, promising a journey of discovery and awe.

Evening: As your day winds down, enjoy a wine tasting at another one of the island’s top wineries or visit a local brewery. If time allows, catch the sunset at Cable Bay Vineyards or Mudbrick Vineyard for a truly magical end to your day.

Return to Auckland: Board the ferry back to Auckland, reflecting on a day well spent exploring the enchanting Waiheke Island. Whether you’re into beachcombing, wine tasting, hiking, or simply soaking up the island vibes, Waiheke Island offers the perfect escape from the city, making it an unforgettable day trip from Auckland.

New Zealand, The Land of the Long White Cloud (Aotearoa). While not a large destination, it is both refreshing and unique. It is the youngest land and is brimming with untouched natural beauty. Everywhere you look, from the pristine alps to the lush forest valleys to the crystal clear lakes. And to top it all off, an amazing, unique culture, a flare for cuisine, and world-class accommodations. What I hear from my clients is, “I would move here.”  

Let’s explore the top 5 reasons to visit New Zealand.

1. New Zealand is small but has a big punch. It is about the size of the length of California or the United Kingdom. The smaller size allows visitors to see a good portion of the country in an average two-week vacation.
2. New Zealand is a destination at any time of year. While you want to pack some layers, the temperatures in New Zealand hover from the low fifties to the upper seventies. You experience some temperatures in winter that are a bit cooler, and vice versa, and can be a bit warmer in summer. 
3. The Māori. New Zealand’s indigenous culture first came to the islands in the 1300s. Their culture is an integral part of life and is one of the best examples of two cultures working together. Spending time with them is a must.
4. English is the spoken language, making it highly comfortable and easy for travelers to communicate. However, the Māori language is prevalent; you will see signs and announcements delivered in both languages.
5. New Zealand caters to so many special interests. You can hike, golf, fish, cycle, cruise and more. There is something for everybody, especially those who love to be outdoors. 

Whether you are visiting the North Island, the South Island, or Stewart Island, each part of New Zealand is beaming with impressive things to explore. And you are never more than 75 miles from the ocean. Plan your exploration today.  

During my nature walks, I often stumble upon little scenes and images that take me into a world of fantasy. And in our world of high tech and speed, there are those whose job is to take us into those worlds of fantasy. J. R. R. Tolkien has best created some of those magical worlds. His “The Lord of the Rings” Trilogy, followed by The Hobbit Trilogy, opened up whole new worlds. And these worlds come to life out of the beautiful landscapes of New Zealand. A fan of both, I have seen them all and looked forward to my opportunity to visit these worlds with my son in 2015.

One thing I have always enjoyed doing since my Lit to Film class in Highschool, is reading the books before I see the movies. The book and imagination are usually much better than the film ever could be, but I must admit the two sets of trilogies had me captured when they hit the big screen. What is even more fun is immersing and transporting yourself into this enchanting world by visiting the very sets.

It will be no surprise to you once you visit the area outside of Rotorua, New Zealand, in the Mamaku Ranges, why the film creators chose this destination for their movies. The landscape is breathtaking, with its green hills, deep crags, and sheep dotting the hillsides. Indeed a land that appears untouched by humans.

Our Day as a Hobbit

The tour starts with a drive through a picturesque 1,250-acre family-owned sheep farm. You will be awed by the spectacular views of the Kaimai Ranges as your guide begins to describe how the Hobbiton movie rose. All your favorite Hobbit spots are there, from the Hobbit holes to the Mill to The Green Dragon Inn. Your guide will paint a picture for you as you wander through the town of the scene in which each building or area appears in the film.

Along the way, take time to capture yourself in the Hobbit world—everything in complete mesmerizing fine detail. Even the sounds will amaze you as you can hear the frogs croaking. An interesting tidbit we learned was they had to relocate the frogs during filming because their singing was too disruptive. You will learn about some interesting film tricks to shoot both sunrise and sunset over the Hobbit village.

The tour takes you through the whole Hobbit village with a culminating end at The Green Dragon, right after you’ve made your ale run. The tour concludes with the opportunity to have a mug of ale or ginger beer. Something for true fans is that Hobbiton is for more than just tours. You can have your very own private function upon the grounds. The tour guide tells us they all dress in full Hobbit gear for such events. Whether a movie novice to the Trilogies or a diehard fan, visiting “where the Hobbit holes are hiding” is a must-experience for everyone.  

For more information on this attraction, visit www.hobbitontours.com, and to book, contact us!

Originally written 12/27/2015 Revised 8/21/2023

New Zealand is well known worldwide for its wine production. And their wines top the list of my favorites. On a recent visit, I had the pleasure of enjoying wine tastings across the region of Hawke’s Bay. After visiting here, I have become a huge fan of Chardonnay. While your palate is in heaven over the tastes of the land, your eyes will be mesmerized by the breathtaking beauty. 

Exploring the Bountiful Wine Regions of Hawke’s Bay, NZ

New Zealand’s Hawke’s Bay, renowned for its picturesque landscapes and sunny climate, is a wine lover’s paradise. Nestled on the eastern coast of the North Island, this charming region boasts a diverse range of vineyards and wineries that produce some of the country’s most celebrated wines. Join us on a virtual journey as we explore the exquisite wine regions of Hawke’s Bay, delving into their unique characteristics and the wines they craft.

The Terroir of Hawke’s Bay:

Hawke’s Bay’s blessing is its exceptional terroir, combining fertile plains, river valleys, and protective mountain ranges. This diverse topography allows for various microclimates, perfect for growing grape varieties. The unique combination of warm, sunny days and cool nights fosters a slow and balanced ripening process, resulting in wines with distinct flavors and exceptional quality.

Gimblett Gravels:

Among Hawke’s Bay’s renowned sub-regions, Gimblett Gravels stands out as a true viticultural gem. Characterized by its stony, free-draining soil composed of ancient riverbed gravels, this area has gained international acclaim for producing exceptional Bordeaux-style reds. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah thrive in this terroir, yielding wines with remarkable depth, structure, and elegance.

The Sun-Drenched Bridge Pa Triangle:

The Bridge Pa Triangle is another prominent wine-growing region located just south of Gimblett Gravels. The Triangle is known for its abundant sunshine and sheltered microclimate. This area specializes in various varietals, including Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Syrah. The wines from Bridge Pa Triangle often showcase vibrant fruit flavors and refreshing acidity, making them perfect for both summer sipping and cellaring.

Coastal Charms of Te Awanga and Clifton:

The coastal sub-regions of Te Awanga and Clifton offer a unique twist to Hawke’s Bay’s wine tapestry. Embracing the sea breeze and maritime influence, these areas focus primarily on white wine production. From crisp and zesty Sauvignon Blanc to rich and aromatic Viognier, the wines reflect the coastal terroir, delivering a delightful taste of the ocean in every glass.

Hidden Gems: Dartmoor Valley and Ohiti:

While less well-known than other regions, Dartmoor Valley and Ohiti boast boutique wineries crafting exceptional wines. Nestled in the heart of Hawke’s Bay, these hidden gems produce a diverse range of varietals, including Pinot Noir, Malbec, and Gewürztraminer. Visiting these off-the-beaten-path wineries provides a unique and intimate experience for wine enthusiasts seeking something different.

Sustainable Wine Practices:

Hawke’s Bay winemakers have embraced sustainable practices, making significant strides in organic and biodynamic viticulture. These environmentally friendly approaches preserve the region’s natural beauty and enhance the quality and authenticity of the wines produced.

Hawke’s Bay, one of New Zealand’s premier wine regions, offers wine enthusiasts a captivating array of flavors, landscapes, and experiences. From the internationally acclaimed wines of Gimblett Gravels to the coastal charms of Te Awanga, each sub-region contributes its unique essence to the tapestry of Hawke’s Bay wines. Whether you’re a seasoned wine connoisseur or a casual wine lover, a journey through the vineyards of Hawke’s Bay is sure to be an unforgettable adventure for your palate and soul. Cheers to the beauty of Hawke’s Bay’s wine regions!

New Zealand is more than well known for its adventure. In fact, they have created quite a few extreme and fun sports for the bold to try, such as Bungy jumping. And you may think I am not adventurous, so why would I visit New Zealand? There is so much more than the thrill side, though I tell you, as an acclaimed scardey cat, you should consider trying one of the more blood-racing activities at least once.

For those not ready, there is the softer side of New Zealand. New Zealand shines with breathtaking beauty, rich culture, and great food. You will have plenty to explore beyond the adventure sports the country is so well-known for. 

Nature: New Zealand is truly a nature lovers’ paradise. As an island, of course, it has many breathtaking coastlines and sea life in water and air to go with it. The center astounds with magnificent mountains and lush valleys. There are plenty of opportunities to explore New Zealand by foot with hikes and walks or enjoy a guided tour. The people love to share the stories of creation with visitors. Visit places like the sparking glow worm caves, the ancient trees of Waipoua Forest, and the serene beauty of the lakes such as Lake Wakatipu. The abundance of explorations is endless.

Culture: Simply put, the Māori are beautiful. A trip that did not include some time learning about how they came to New Zealand and their history before and after the Europeans would be devasting. There are guided tours with local Māori that will take you to Maugawahu (Mount Eden)- one of the ancestral mountains for Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei and cultural performances where you will see the kapa haka group perform. And beyond this, you can dive into New Zealand’s other rich history with stops at places such as Napier to discover New Zealand’s art deco history with a ride around town in a vintage car. The options are vast and deep to choose from, tip to tip. 

Food: New Zealand produces some of the best wines in the world. (sorry, Australia they are my favorite) With wine regions throughout the North and South Islands, you can meander your way through the country one winery at a time. And what is a good wine without a good pairing? New Zealand has some of the best seafood, ethnic cuisine styles from around the world, and of course, lamb. And you should try the venison as well as they are one of the top exporters of their venison. A great stop-off for food and wine, and often missed the Hawke’s Bay region. Some might say Hawke’s Bay is New Zealand’s break basket and is a destination to savor.

I’ve only glossed over what can be considered the softer side of New Zealand. Contact a New Zealand specialist for a trip that genuinely suits your tastes and activity level. We work with you to design your perfect itinerary.

New Zealand is a land of majestic beauty and mystery. It is no wonder so many fantasy films have been filmed in this country. Its landscape is breathtaking and unusual. My eyes never get tired of looking at this land.

Upon a recent visit to the north island with my son, I couldn’t help but include one of the most wondrous and beautiful sites this place has to offer. We took an afternoon to walk and then glide through the Waitomo Caves. It is a truly spectacular spot of tranquil beauty located in northern King Country.

The word “Waitomo” comes from the Maori, the local indigenous people. It translates into two parts, “Wai,” meaning water, and “tomo” meaning hole, and is translated as the “stream which flows into the hole in the ground.” While a stream does indeed flow through a hole in the ground here, it lives inside the cave that draws visitors each year.

Upon arriving by our tour bus at the visitor center, which is a piece of architectural beauty, we lined up with our group to do a photo before entering the walk into the caves. The walk to the cave entrance lets you look down over into the gorge where the stream runs. Everything there is so lush and green. Once inside the caves, we followed a dim-lit path down into the multiple levels that make up the caves. Low lighting exists for the protection of the stone and worms. Several well-known formations were pointed out (the Catacombs, the Pipe Organ, the Banquet Chamber, and the Cathedral) before making our descent to the lowest level where the stream passes through the Glowworm Grotto. An interesting viewing stop was in the Cathedral, where the acoustics made for the sweetest sounds. Our guide asked if one of the people on our tour would sing something while the lights were out to demonstrate the acoustics. This was a very cool experience because famous singers and choirs sing there.

Our favorite part, though, was getting to the lower level where we would get to really see the beauty of the glowworms. At the very bottom, where the lighting was quite dim, we were loaded into boats. I almost felt as if I had stepped into an old scene with pirates as we seated ourselves in the boat. They seated us about 4-6 passengers aboard depending on size. Once everyone was seated, we drifted along the stream through the grotto. It was the most beautiful starry night I’ve ever seen. There were worms a glow in the beautiful blackness of the cave. The quiet lapping of the stream against the boat, the moist air, and the glimmer of the worms was ethereal. Mother Nature’s beauty at it’s best!

It was a beautiful warm winter’s day in Auckland, New Zealand. My son and I were now about halfway through our Australia/New Zealand adventure. I had been fortunate at the end of 2014 to win a trip from my regular attendance of Down Under Answers webinars. I was the lucky name picked from the draw that December and had decided I would take my son on the adventure of a lifetime as a combination present for his 18th birthday and upcoming high school graduation for May 2016. We planned throughout the first months of 2015 as to what he wanted to do. His big request was for adventure.

He said, “Mom, you can pick some things you like in Australia, but I get to pick what we do in New Zealand.” One of his big dreams was to try Bungy Jumping. He had recently seen a YouTube video of Ian Swain II from Swain Destinations Travel that I had shared on my business Facebook page. As we watched the video, my heart was already in panic mode as I had a major anxiety attack. Heights has been a long time fear. Then there was Cullen, so psyched for this opportunity. In the end, based on time, where we were visiting, and my fear, we compromised to do the AJ Hackett Bungy jump off the Auckland Bridge. Yes, that is right, I said: “we.”

The Auckland Bridge Jump seemed like a suitable jump for me to scare the living crap out of myself. It wasn’t nearly the height of the one we watched Ian do, and it was still over water. It is amazing the things a parent will commit to and do for the love of their child.

So, here we were on this spectacular day preparing for our jump. I kept breakfast that morning to the bare minimum. We had a taxi take us to the bridge office and signed over our lives. The staff was wonderful in hooking us up with our gear and preparing us for what we were about to embark upon. We followed our guide across the street, through a door, and onto the bridge’s metal girdle. Tethered to the bridge by our safety link, we made our way to the waiting platform while waiting for the group ahead of us to finish their jumps. The screams from the current jumpers only added to my already weak knees and sick to the stomach self as I looked over the edge. Then, it was our turn to ascend the stairs to the jumping platform.

Again, the staff was amazing. Coaxing me through all the ins and outs and latching us into our safety gear. Cullen, my son, would leap first. I was more than happy to let him go but nearly died when he went off the platform. The fear of him not returning from his plunge was almost too much for a mother to bear. But, there he was being pulled up, head soaked, beaming a smile as wide as a mile across his face. He had opted for the water plunge with his jump. Me, I was going to keep it simple and go for the basic jump.

There I was, legs bound, taking my baby shuffle to the edge of the platform. I believe I was literally shaking hard enough to move the bridge. I began to curse Cullen and cry out that I could not do it. Then the jump operator said, “You have this!” “Look up and smile and then just go.” I looked up, said my prayers, gave a waning smile, and then over the edge I went. A blood-curdling scream released from me, and then it stopped. Everything stopped. I was there frozen in time, looking at the beautiful blue water. It was the most surreal moment I have ever experienced. Next was a bounce followed by a swing, and my heart went wild. I made an early release from the leg restraints to bring myself upright and look up to see bridge climbers waving at me. I looked around. I was alive! Still terrified, but I had done it! I had gone off the edge. I experienced one of the most magical moments of my life. Will I do it again? Probably not…well, unless, of course, one of my children asks me to. There isn’t anything in this world that I wouldn’t do for one of them.

And that, my friends, is living on the edge.