Tours
Tour
If you need assistance with planning and booking pre and post conference tours and or local Auckland sightseeing tours or day tours from Auckland then please contact Sharron Hickman at sharronh@exclusivetours.co.nz or phone +64 0274732934 www.exclusivetours.co.nz or visit Sharron or one of her colleagues at their sightseeing and tour desk, located close to the registration desk at the conference venue. Their desk will be open for the same hours that the registration desk is open. Please visit with Sharron or her colleague, at their desk, to plan and book sightseeing and touring options. They look forward to meeting you in New Zealand.
The following tours are offered on both days - Tuesday 26th or Wednesday 27th November.
Discover tea tour - A very unique and fascinating experience.
7.30 am to approximately 1.30 pm
New Zealand is the last place you would expect to find a tea plantation. But 90 minutes south of Auckland is New Zealand's only tea plantation located in rural Waikato. Waikato is home to Zealong Tea. A Pacific Garden of Eden where tea grows naturally, free of chemical sprays or fertilizers. Pure air, pure sunshine, pure water and fertile soil gives Zealong Tea a remarkable freshness in flavor and fragrance that excites even the most jaded tea drinker. Zealong is the world's only tea company fully certified to the world's highest food safety standard: ISO 22000 HACCP. At Zealong learn the fascinating story behind Zealong, see how tea is made, experience a traditional tea ceremony, explore tea's rich history and culture and pose for a souvenir photo in traditional tea picking garb.
Enjoy a delicious high tea in the restaurant at the Estate and drink the world's purest Oolong tea as you gaze out across the tea plantation. The story of Zealong is the story of Vincent Chen's dream. A dream that started with a camellia tree back in 1996. Vincent had recently arrived in new Zealand with his family and one day his father noticed a camellia tree thriving in the neighbor's garden. A tea drinker, Mr Chen senior, knew tea was a kind of camellia. Talking with Vincent, he suggested maybe tea could grow in the Waikato too. Vincent realized this could be a way to put down roots in his adopted country - literally - and his dream was born. It has taken Vincent 16 years to realize his dream and the hurdles have been, and continue to be, numerous. But his focus on producing the world's purest tea in new Zealand is beginning to pay off, as people all around the world taste and appreciate the purity of Zealong tea.
At the conclusion of the Zealong Estate experience travel back to AUT, Auckland.
$220.00 per person includes road transport, tour manager, tea tour, tea tastings, high tea, tea with high tea, bottled water and New Zealand Goods and Service Tax at 15%. Per coach minimum 25 people and maximum 40 people.
Zealong tea.
Mountain biking - Two hour guided mountain biking adventure in the Woodhill Forest.
8.30 am to approximately 1.00 pm.
Woodhill Forest is a great destination for adventure lovers with activities year round. The forest is a popular location for a number of recreation activities, mountain biking, including horse riding, 4WD and trail biking, walking, dog walking, tree climbing adventures (confidence and team building), orienteering and filming. Woodhill Forest is a sand based pine forest, providing all weather trails and recreation. For mountain biking enthusiasts there are over 50 named trails/courses which provide over 100 kilometres of single track riding and over 100 purpose-built, council compliant jumps and stunts including the huge and pretty scary 'North Shore' stunts. Woodhill Mountain Bike Park has become renowned throughout New Zealand's riding community as an exceptional and unique mountain biking destination. It's sand base means they can offer year round riding which is a characteristic that gives us the freedom to continue to pour more resources into its development. With an intimate knowledge of both Woodhill and Mountain Biking the guides will help you get the most out of your ride by tailoring it specifically to the ability and fitness of your group, while also providing "friendly coaching" along the way during the two hour mountain biking experience.
At the conclusion of the exhilarating mountain biking travel back to AUT, Auckland.
$150.00 per person includes road transport, tour manager, helmet and mountain bike hire, mountain bike guides (1 guide per 10 bikers), snack food, bottled water and New Zealand Goods and Services Tax at 15%. Per coach minimum 20 people and maximum 40 people.
Woodhill Forest mountain biking trail.
Auckland city sightseeing tour including guided tour of Auckland Museum and Maori cultural performance at Auckland Museum - A great way to see the "city of Sails".
8.30 am to approximately 1.00 pm
With a population of approximately 1.6 million Auckland is the largest urban area, in New Zealand, covering 1,100 square kilometres (426 square miles). Auckland is the largest commercial centre of the county and also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world.
The city straddles a dormant volcanic field of approximately 50 vents, which take the form of cones, lakes, lagoons, islands and depressions. The most recent and by far the largest volcano, Rangitoto Island, came up out of the sea about 600 to 700 years ago.
Enjoying a mild climate (frosts are rare), 1.5 metres (60 inches) annual rainfall, it has a cosmopolitan flavour, great wining and dining and so offers a good lifestyle. Known as the “City of Sails”, Auckland has more yachts per head of population than anywhere else in world. Car ownership is high with one car for every two people.
A large percentage of Auckland is still dominated by a very suburban style of building, giving the city a very low population density. Although it has little more than a seventh of the population of London, it sprawls over a considerably larger area, making public transport costlier than in other high-density cities.
Highlights during today's tour of Auckland will include Auckland harbour bridge, Tamaki Drive, Michael Joseph Savage Memorial (great views of the city and harbour from this location), Parnell Rose Gardens, Auckland Domain, one hour guided tour of Auckland Museum, 45 minutes free time at Auckland Museum, Maori cultural performance at Auckland Museum.
At the conclusion of the visit to Auckland Museum travel back to AUT, Auckland.
$145.00 per person includes road transport, tour guide, entry to Auckland Museum, one guided tour of Auckland Museum, Maori cultural performance at Auckland Museum, bottled water and New Zealand Goods and Services Tax at 15%. Per coach minimum 20 people and maximum 40 people.
View of Auckland city and harbour from Michael Joseph Savage Memorial.
Cruise on Auckland Harbour, lunch and guided tour of New Zealand Maritime Museum - Scenic harbour cruise, lunch and guided tour of the fascinating New Zealand Maritime Museum.
10.00 am to approximately 3.00 pm.
Escape the city centre bustle and cruise the sparkling waters of Auckland’s beautiful Waitemata Harbour. Informative commentary as you cruise on the harbour, along with views of four major Auckland icons - the Harbour Bridge, Rangitoto Island, Bean Rock and the Sky Tower- and much more!
Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before a guided tour of the New Zealand Maritime Museum. This great museum provides a fascinating glimpse into New Zealand's wonderful relationship with the sea as explorers and every day New Zealanders. With a team of passionate and knowledgeable staff and volunteers, they share New Zealand’s history and inspirational stories throughout their extensive galleries, exhibitions, programmes and on-water experiences.
At the conclusion of the guided tour of the New Zealand Maritime Museum delegates are on their own to do whatever they like in downtown Auckland.
$215.00 per person includes road transport from AUT to Auckland ferry building, tour manager, 90 minute harbour cruise, tea/coffee and muffin during harbour cruise, 2 course (main and dessert) lunch at a local restaurant (no beverages included with lunch - delegates to pay directly for their own beverages) entry ticket and 1 hour guided tour of the New Zealand Maritime Museum, bottled water and New Zealand Goods and Services Tax at 15%.
Minimum 25 people and maximum 40 people.
Auckland Harbour cruise.
Bush, beach and art tour - Experience New Zealand rain forest, black sand beach and great New Zealand art.
12.00 noon to approximately 5.30 pm.
Only 30 kilometres from downtown Auckland is the city's largest regional park, the Waitakere Ranges. No other city in New Zealand has such a wonderful asset so close to it. In just 30 minutes you leave behind the bustle of the city and step into the tranquility of the rainforest. Stop en-route, to purchase your own food for lunch. Your driver and hiking guide will select a great location for you to eat your lunch and they will also supply tea/coffee/water. Visit Arataki Centre perched high on the ridge of the Waitakere Ranges an enjoy breathtaking panoramic views from the Manukau Harbour to the Pacific Ocean. Continue on to the lush rainforest where you walk the easy bush tracks amongst giant fern trees and view New Zealand's famous kauri trees. Move on to experience the power of the wild and rugged west coast. Feel the black sand beneath your feet as you stroll along some of the most awe-inspiring beaches the world has to offer. Enjoy a picnic lunch at a scenic location.
A treat along the way will be a visit to the West Coast Gallery which is a dynamic, non-profit, community arts venue, which exhibits and sells the unique artworks of over 200 artists all residing in the West area of Auckland City. It is managed by the West Coast Community Arts Trust. The gallery is an essential hub of artistic activity in the area. Regular events and art projects encourage community involvement with the arts. Monthly exhibitions are held showcasing the works of groups and individual artists.
The range of art on offer includes painting, ceramics, sculpture, jewellery, photography, glass works, mixed media, bronze, flax, local authors and CD’s by Waitakere musicians. The arts trust mission statement - “to promote and encourage the enjoyment of, and participation in the Arts, in all its forms, for the community”. Over the past 15 years the trust has gone from strength to strength - selling art on behalf of our members, and using the commission on sales to run the gallery. Any profit obtained is given back to the community in the form of art events, workshops, exhibitions, community events, also working with local schools and pre- school.
At the conclusion of the tour travel back to AUT, Auckland.
$185.00 per person includes road transport, driver, hiking guide, Regional Park access fee, tea/coffee/water and New Zealand Goods and Services Tax at 15%. Minimum 30 people and maximum 60 people.
Piha Beach.
POST CONFERENCE TOUR
Waiheke Island tour - Stunning scenery, white sand beaches, beer tastings, wine tastings, olive oil tastings and artists/crafts people.
10.15 am to approximately 6.10 pm. 11.00 am ferry from Auckland ferry terminal to Waiheke Island and 5.30 pm ferry from Waiheke Island to Auckland ferry terminal.
When Aucklander's talk of an island paradise they are referring to Waiheke Island which is 40 minutes by ferry from downtown Auckland. With a permanent population of around 9,000 people Waiheke Island is home to over 30 wineries, along with olive groves and dozens of local and internationally renowned artists. On this picturesque island there is a blend of farmland, forest and stunning beaches. With hot, dry summers and stony soils, Waiheke wineries produce unique, high quality wines based on cabernet sauvignon, merlot, malbec, cabernet franc and the recent move into chardonnay grape varieties. Highlights today will include lunch (main and dessert) at a local winery, free time at Onetangi Beach, beer and wine tasting, olive oil tasting, free time at Oneroa town centre, meeting a local artist, visiting Waiheke Community Arts Centre etc. Some delegates may like to stay on Waiheke Island for dinner. All delegates will have been given round-trip ferry tickets so they can return to Auckland whenever they like. On arrival back to Auckland ferry terminal delegates are on their own to do whatever they like in downtown Auckland.
NZD$195.00 per person includes transfer from AUT to Auckland ferry terminal, tour manager, round trip ferry tickets, road transport and driver / guide on Waiheke Island, lunch at a local winery (main and dessert, tea/coffee), visits to artists/crafts people, beer / wine / olive oil tastings, bottled water and New Zealand Goods and Services Tax at 15%. Per coach minimum 30 people and maximum 40 people.
Delegates to pay for their own drinks (non alcoholic drinks, wine, beer etc) at lunch venue.
Oneroa, Waiheke Island.
