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Where coastlines meet kitchens and every meal tells a story.
Explore Aotearoa’s biggest city through its people, places, and plates.
Kia ora and welcome to Auckland, where coastlines meet kitchens and every meal tells a story. Over five unforgettable nights, you’ll explore Aotearoa’s biggest city through its people, places, and plates, guided by passionate local hosts who know this region inside and out.
This is not your average city escape. From the wild west coast to the buzzing inner city and sun soaked islands, you’ll taste the true spirit of Auckland — its creativity, hospitality, and obsession with good food and wine.
As the sun sets over the vines, arrive at your home in the heart of Auckland’s wine country. Settle in with a relaxed welcome dinner in The Lodge, a deliciously laid back evening of seasonal food, local wines, and new friends. Toast the start of your journey with a glass on the deck, surrounded by the hum of the countryside.
After breakfast, we dive into the region that locals secretly want to keep to themselves, where black sand beaches meet farm gates and everything feels just a bit wilder.
Morning: Visit a local sourdough bakery that’s turned sleepy Helensville into a carb lover’s destination. Learn how milling flour on site transforms every loaf, and don’t leave without a donut or two.
Midday: Meet a third generation charcuterie maker whose family recipes travelled from Serbia and are now Auckland staples.
Lunch: Feast on fire cooked flavours where smoky vegetables and juicy meats take centre stage.
Afternoon: Visit a lavender distillery where gin and botanicals shine, followed by a stop at a strawberry grower with half a million plants bursting with sweetness.
Evening: Return to Vineyard Cottages for cocktails on the deck and a classic Kiwi BBQ under the stars.
Head to the hills of Muriwai for a hands on day at a local cooking school. Surrounded by farmland and ocean views, you’ll roll up your sleeves, cook with the freshest local produce, and enjoy generous hospitality in this culinary haven.
After lunch, wander the black sands of Muriwai Beach and forage in the nearby forest for ingredients that will appear in tonight’s meal, a traditional Māori hāngi lovingly prepared by a local kaumātua. Learn how flax is woven into baskets for cooking and taste the deep, earthy flavours of history.
Pack up your cottage basket, it’s time to swap vineyards for vibrant streets.
We start the day with an aromatic stop at a local coffee roastery, where Hawaiian shirts and Japanese plums are part of the blend. Then it’s off to explore Ponsonby Road, Auckland’s most iconic foodie strip, for tastings and stories from some of the city’s best producers.
After a light lunch, check into your boutique hotel and enjoy a free afternoon to wander the waterfront or explore the laneways of downtown. Tonight, we go big, a progressive dinner across three of Auckland’s most exciting restaurants. Think bold flavours, shared plates, and that signature Kiwi sparkle.
It’s Saturday morning and we’re off to Matakana Farmers Market, a food lover’s dream set beside the river. Chat with stallholders, meet local food lovers, and taste your way through the region’s best produce.
From there, we head to the Mahurangi Estuary to meet oyster farmers and hear how New Zealand grows some of the finest shellfish in the world. You’ll learn to shuck like a pro, and yes, there will be fizz.
Lunch is at a vineyard surrounded by sculpture trails and vines. Platters overflow, glasses sparkle, and time slows right down. Nap optional on the drive back to Auckland before one last evening in the city.
We end on a high, and across the water. Take the ferry to Waiheke Island, land of vineyards, olive groves, and endless sea views.
Start your day with a tea blending workshop like no other, then visit an olive oil producer to taste liquid gold straight from the press. Finally, raise a glass over a long, lazy farewell lunch that captures everything we love about Auckland, generosity, flavour, and friendship.
This journey is about food, yes, but it’s also about people, stories, and the shared joy of discovery. Together, we’ll taste Auckland’s soul, one delicious bite, one glass, and one good laugh at a time
Auckland is a year-round destination, but November through March brings long warm evenings, peak farmers market season, and the best conditions for the Waiheke Island finale. Summer also means strawberry season at its sweetest and the northwest coast at its most inviting.
A perfect fit for travellers who want to experience Auckland beyond the guidebook — from wild west coast farms to island vineyards, with warm hosts, shared tables, and a genuine taste of what makes this city so special.
All the important information, guidelines, and recommendations you’ll need to ensure a smooth and memorable experience.
Auckland, New Zealand
6 Days, 5 Nights
Multiday Experience
8–14 guests
November – March
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