day one: waiheke island
Key
- Destinations
- Apex Locations
Waiheke Island has long been a yachtie’s paradise, and many boats pull into its
sheltered bays and deep inlets to anchor at night, including Bernard Rhodes and
his son, Andrew -who offer sailing trips aboard Flying Carpet: an ocean-going, bi-plane-rigged
catamaran. Sailing on the Flying Carpet is a relaxed affair: most guests relax and
enjoy the scenery, but keen sailors are welcome to help trim the sails.
Whilst Waiheke’s nature trails, art trails, shady olive groves, sculpture gardens
and range of modern eateries are tempting, it’s the island’s vineyards that provide
the greatest drawcard.
At the Tuscan-style villa of Stonyridge, Norton, a sizeable black Labrador wearing
a collar saying: “Do not feed me,” greets visitors. A heavy wooden doorway
leads to the winery’s café overlooking grapevines and olive trees. Wide doors open
to a sunny, sheltered courtyard cobbled with stones and shells; leafy vines twist
around pergola poles, and Boston ivy creeps up the adobe walls. The food is superb,
the wine outstanding (this is the home of NZ’s most sought-after red), and the setting
stylish yet casual, with a relaxed Mediterranean country atmosphere.
This vineyard, along with Goldwater Estate, was the first to plant grapes on Waiheke
Island, and when both proved successful, many others followed suit. Today there’s
a wide range to visit including Kennedy Point Vineyard, which produces delicious
Sauvignon Blanc (best teamed with an antipasto platter and sampled on its shady
pohutukawa-fringed decks); Te Whau Vineyard with its extensive wine list and spectacular
views of Auckland city from Te Whau Point; and Onetangi Vineyard, next to Stonyridge,
where you can also sample locally brewed Baroona beer.
There’s also a wealth of popular cafés and vineyard restaurants including the Mudbrick
Café, a popular haunt for visiting Aucklanders with its stunning city views, and
Salvage, Schooner and Vino Vino in Oneroa...
please click the link to download the full
Waiheke Island, courtesy of apex car rentals new zealand... the kiwi
way
to read more extracts from our driving holiday's guidebook please click on any of
the following links:
north island scenic drives
south island scenic drives