Day 01: Arrival in Auckland – A Calm Welcome to New Zealand
Our New Zealand journey began with a late-evening arrival at Auckland Airport, and the first thing that stood out was how calm and organized everything felt. Unlike many international airports where you’re immediately surrounded by taxi drivers and noise, Auckland offers a quiet, well-signed exit that gently guides you towards the parking and pickup zones.
This is exactly why I’d strongly recommend pre-booking your airport transfers in New Zealand—it saves time and aligns perfectly with the country’s stress-free travel culture.
Our hotel for the night was Auckland Sky Hotel, conveniently located in the city centre. As we entered our room, the windows opened up to the streets of Auckland glowing under city lights—a beautiful first impression of the city.
Day 02: A Perfect Day Trip to Waiheke Island
Ferry Ride to Paradise
Day two started early as we headed towards the ferry terminal for our much-awaited trip to Waiheke Island. We had booked the Waiheke Island Explorer (Ferry + Hop-On Hop-Off Bus) with Fullers 360, and it turned out to be one of the easiest and most scenic ways to explore the island.
The ferry ride itself was an experience—lush green landscapes meeting deep blue waters, with stunning views of Auckland’s port slowly fading behind us.
Breakfast Stop at Matiatia Ferry Terminal
We arrived at Matiatia Ferry Terminal and stopped at the Shed 36 Café. Since we had left the hotel early, a warm sandwich and coffee were just what we needed.
The coffee was perfectly warm—especially comforting in the crisp island weather—and the sandwich was surprisingly delicious. Simple food, but incredibly satisfying.
Exploring Waiheke Island with the Hop-On Hop-Off Bus
A quick tip here: don’t confuse local buses with the Explorer Hop-On Hop-Off buses—they look very different. To make things easier, downloading the Explorer Bus App helps track bus locations and timings.
Our driver-cum-guide was energetic and engaging, sharing insights about the island, its vineyards, and local life as we moved along the route. The bus covers 17 stops, and while every stop has its charm, we chose a few that resonated most with us.
Stop 1: Waiheke Community Art Gallery & Library
Our first stop was the Waiheke Community Art Gallery. This space beautifully reflects the island’s artistic soul, calm pace, and strong sense of community. Around the gallery, we found souvenir shops, handmade artifacts, and even an Indian restaurant.
For me personally, the library here was the highlight. A thoughtfully designed space featuring local authors, select global works, computer stations, and a dedicated music section. One of the most heartwarming moments was watching a local mother reading a story to her toddler in the nursery section. Walking out of this library was genuinely hard.
Walk to Oneroa Village
Instead of hopping back on the bus, we chose to walk to Oneroa Village—a lovely stretch where you truly observe island life.
Souvenir shops lined the way, beachwear stores offered great options for anyone who forgot their swim gear, and wine shops proudly showcased local bottles on elegant wine display racks.
Lunch Stop at Ostend Village
Our next stop was Ostend Village, where we grabbed a quick bite of pizza along with gelato. The café Ostend Pizzeria wasn’t very large, but it had a warm, welcoming vibe. Locals chatted around us, families enjoyed relaxed meals, and the atmosphere felt genuinely island-like.
Wine Tasting at Stonyridge Vineyard
We then decided it was time for wine tasting and chose Stonyridge Vineyard. A quick travel tip—some vineyards may be closed on certain days, so it’s always wise to shortlist two or three options in advance.
Stonyridge was a 7–10 minute walk from the bus stop, and along the way, we struck up a lovely conversation with fellow travelers who were hopping vineyards.
We opted for two tasting options:
New Zealand Wine Flight – NZD 15
Waiheke Premium Flight – NZD 25
I may not be a wine expert, but the six wines we tasted offered distinct textures, aromas, and palate experiences, each reflecting a different fermentation style. An expert might describe it better, but for us, sipping wine while playing frisbee with the kids and picking olives in the garden was perfect.
Relaxing at Onetangi Beach
Our final island stop was Onetangi Beach. The kids ran freely along the shore while we relaxed, listening to the sound of waves. We played, swam, and simply enjoyed being present in the moment.
Dolphins on the Return Ferry
As we boarded the ferry back to Auckland, we were in for a delightful surprise—dolphins swimming alongside the ferry, leaping playfully through the water. The skipper paused briefly, allowing passengers to fully enjoy the sight. Watching the kids’ excitement made it even more special.
Evening at Weta Workshop & Queen Street
Back in the city, our evening was booked at the Weta Workshop—a haven for creative minds and young film enthusiasts. My child was fascinated by how special effects are created for films, and the highlight was a live demonstration showing how realistic fake wounds are made.
We wrapped up the day with a walk along Queen Street, admiring luxury brands before heading back to the hotel. A simple Subway dinner marked the end of a beautifully full day.
Photo Gallery
