Boarding your cruise in Auckland? I recently enjoyed a cheeky four-day cruise with the lovely Princess Cruises, and my time in Auckland really started my trip on a high note.
A direct midday flight from Adelaide to Auckland is so incredibly convenient and being onboard the new 777-200 aircraft doesn’t hurt either! The food, service and inflight entertainment makes the four-hour journey a breeze.
A taxi from the Auckland Airport straight to the Grand Mercure was seamless and the hotel is a mere block from Queens Wharf. A ferry from Auckland to Waiheke Island is only 45 minutes and the journey over is stunning. I had organised an EcoZip Adventure Tour and the staff were awaiting my arrival to whisk me off for my day on the beautiful island.
EcoZip Adventures offers state-of-the-art flying-fox ziplines and an eco-immersive forest walk. It’s perfect for adventure and nature lovers of all ages. I enjoyed the zipline and the EcoZip staff transferred me to my lunch destination, the fabulous Tantalus Vineyard.
Tantalus Estate sits on eight hectares of free-draining sandy soil over weathered clay and rock, in the heart of Waiheke’s wine growing country. The aim is to produce dense, complex Bordeaux and Rhone-style reds that will age beautifully. The estate in the Onetangi Valley includes 5.3 hectares of vineyards, a winery, a craft brewery and an expansive, light-filled restaurant with a seasonal menu built around fresh, local produce. What a venue and what a menu!
My coach transfer collected me from lunch and returned me to the Matiatia Wharf. I was back in Auckland at 1545 and with a hop, skip and a jump I collected my luggage from the Grand Mercure and boarded the beautiful Sea Princess, my home for the next four days.
Such an easy way to experience such an incredible place.