6 Day Hauraki Gulf Cruise

6 Day Hauraki Gulf Cruise Touring Route:

Cruise Inclusions:

Cruise from Auckland and sail out into the Hauraki Gulf on Island Escape's famous Hauraki Gulf Cruises. You'll enjoy excursions led by expert guides who travel with you and uncover the splendour of the region's wildlife. Plus, you'll get a chance to go on guided bush walks, kayaking trips, fishing the local hotspots, small boat trips to secluded bays and get to know the local characters. Or you could choose to simply relax with a good book and a glass in wine or laze on a steamer chair in the sun. You decide....

• 5 nights luxury accommodation on New Zealand 'Island Passage' Vessel
• En-suite accommodations - all outside cabins
• All included shore excursions as described
• Onboard professional cruise leader
• Use of all tenders, kayaks, snorkel and fishing gear
• All onboard chef prepared cuisine
• Complimentary coffee, tea, juices, water or soft drinks
• All port charges, taxes, fees and onboard services

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Hauraki Gulf Adventure Begins
Your Hauraki Gulf adventure begins when you board the ship late Sunday afternoon for a 5pm sailing. On the way to our anchorage for the night, the ship passes the extinct volcanic Rangitoto Island. A few decades ago this island was a barren landscape comprised of tumbled basalt lava; today it supports New Zealand’s largest pohutukawa forest and prolific birdlife.

Your first night aboard Island Passage is spent anchored at Waiheke Island with dinner served from 7pm. Welcome to Paradise

Waiheke Island
Today we explore Waiheke Island. Start with a refreshing ocean swim off the back of the ship. Enjoy a sumptuous breakfast on the aft deck then we are away for a late morning Waiheke wine tasting. Waiheke wines are fast gaining international recognition for their quality and we will introduce you to three of their best vineyards.

Great Barrier Island
With no electricity and a population of just 850, Great Barrier Island is the guardian of the gulf. It shields the inner islands, while taking a pounding from the Pacific Ocean on its eastern side. Fitzroy Harbour, on the sheltered side of the island, is one of the country’s most naturally-gifted harbours. The water is deep - right up to the shore - making it possible to anchor and tie the stern to a pohutukawa tree.

The island has a colourful history involving whaling, gold and silver mining, shipwrecks and alternative lifestyles. Today, a passion for conservation connects the residents who believe (with good reason) that they’ve found heaven on earth. More than 120 kilometres of walking tracks let you connect with Great Barrier Island’s wild spirit.

The Glenfern Sanctuary guided walk will give you a special insight into the natural world of Great Barrier Island. The sanctuary, which is on the Kotuku Peninsula, near Port Fitzroy, has an extensive network of walking tracks. A highlight is the swing bridge that enables you to climb into the crown of a 600-year-old Kauri tree.

The Kaiaraara kauri dam is a relic from the island’s forestry days. Constructed entirely from Kauri logs, it has a ‘trapdoor’ that opens to let the water and logs pass through. The hot pools in Kaitoke Creek are another goal to aim for when planning your Great Barrier Island hikes. We trade some fish booty for fresh local green lipped mussels that are sensational on the BBQ with a glass of New Zealand's reknowned Chardonnay.

Coastal Explorations
Coastal explorations are a large part of the trip. You can do it the fast way, in one of our high- powered tenders, or you can slip into a sea kayak and enjoy the tranquility of paddling at your pace. And then there’s the fantastic fishing – you catch ‘em, we’ll cook ‘em.

Entering Port Fitzroy on Great Barrier Island, you’ll awake to the extraordinary beauty of Fitzroy Harbour. This deep-water island sanctuary will be your launching pad for two days of soft, medium or hard adventure. The choices are many: forest-hiking to the Kauri dam; Kaitoke hot springs, or the summit of Mount Hobson; a peaceful kayak tour on the pristine waters of the harbour; a trip to Miners Head in one of our tenders; fishing at a spot known only to the locals; seabird photography from a chair on the deck. We’ll help you to find outdoor entertainments that suit your interests and fitness level.

Kawau Island
Kawau’s character rests on the historic shoulders of Sir George Grey, who owned the island from 1862 to 1888. Kawau Island is almost bisected by the long inlet of Bon Accord Harbour, which is geologically a ‘drowned valley’. Within this sheltered haven there are many attractive bays; however, Mansion House Bay is the most remarkable.

Here, you can tour Sir George Grey’s stately home, then stroll along the road that Grey’s carriage (pulled by two zebras!) used to take. From the historic coach road, a track leads to the picturesque ruins of an underground seashore copper mine.

Another great Kawau walk is the Redwood Track, which reveals an interesting collection of exotic trees planted by Grey – redwoods, Australian bush cherry and bunya-bunya pines, to name just a few. A visit to the yacht club will uncover some interesting local characters, and you’ll find that the fishing around Kawau is most rewarding.

Tiri Tiri Matangi
Tiri Tiri Matangi represents the glory of conservation success – an eroded farm that has been ecologically restored.  Tiri (as the locals call it) is one of New Zealand’s most important and exciting conservation projects. An ecological restoration process that began in 1984 has transformed the island from eroded farmland into a sanctuary for rare birds.

This island is a twitter’s dream come true. A network of walking trails lets you explore a range of beautiful natural environments. Highlights include: encounters with takahe, the rarest of NZ’s flightless birds; and kokako, which were on the brink of extinction. Nectar feeding stations are usually a frenzy of bellbirds – interrupted regularly by much-larger tui. Fantails enjoy leading you along the higher tracks, where bright green kakariki parrots also like to hang out. At Hobbs Beach, penguin nesting boxes are occupied in spring. Department of Conservation volunteers are available to lead your walk around this beautiful island sanctuary.

Island Passage arrives back in Auckland at noon on Friday.