Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: ORD (formerly ORD>SFO>AKL)
Programs: AA PPro, QF Gold, DL Plat, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Platinum
Posts: 363
OzFest 2015 High Level Agenda
OzFest 2015 Itinerary
Bay of Islands, New Zealand
Friday, May 22, 2015 – Sunday, May 24, 2015
Thursday, May 21 2015:- 7:30 pm: Dinner in Auckland for early arrivers at Elliott Stables
- Located in the Auckland CBD on Elliott Street (Behind the Crowne Plaza)
- Hotel – on your own
- 1:00 pm: Travel to Bay of Islands via coach charter
- 1:00 pm: pick-up at AKL Domestic Terminal, Coach Pick-Up Area (for those arriving on domestic flights)
- 1:10 pm: pick-up at AKL at the International Terminal, Coach Arrivals Area
- 1:45 pm'ish (traffic dependent) pick-up at the Hilton
- 2:00 pm - 2:20 pm: New World Victoria Park stop for any last minute food and/or beverage items
- 5:30 pm'ish: Bus drop off at motels:
- Anchorage Motel
- Admiral's View Lodge
- Averill Court Motel
- 7:30 pm Official DO Kick-Off Dinner in Paihia at Ruffino's Pizza and Pasta.
- 7:15 pm bus pick-up at the Admiral's View Lodge (for those who would like a ride to/from dinner)
- No set menu, order off regular menu and pay for meals separately (click here for the menu)
- Fully licensed
- BYO Wine, $5 corkage fee/table
- Hotel Pick-Up Times:
- 7:10 am: Averill Court Motel
- 7:15 am: Anchorage Motel
- 7:15 am: Edgewater Palms Motel
- 7:15 am: Admiral's View Lodge
- 7:20 am: Club Paihia Resort
- Includes lunch - either Fish & Chips or Falafel Salad – please click here to make your menu selection no later than Wednesday, May 20, 2015.
- Highlights:
- From Paihia take a Cape Reinga tour to the very tip of New Zealand and see the spot where the Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean collide. During the tour we will drive along the sand on spectacular Ninety Mile Beach, sand-surf down giant dunes and visit ancient native kauri trees in the Puketi Forest. Maori legend holds that Cape Reinga is the point from which departed spirits leave on their journey to their homeland - stand in this deeply spiritual place, gaze out to sea and immerse yourself in the peaceful atmosphere.
- Ninety Mile Beach is another highlight of the tour – we will drive along the sand as waves crash beside the custom-built coach. Don’t be alarmed when the driver takes the bus up TePaki Stream towards the mountainous sand dunes, it's all part of the off-road experience. Clambering up and then sand-boarding down the enormous dunes (if you dare!) will give your legs a stretch after the first part of the tour and get your heart pumping with excitement.
- WiFi available for those who need it
- 7:30 pm: Group Dinner in Paihia at Alfresco's Restaurant & Bar
- 7:15 pm bus pick-up at the Admiral's View Lodge (for those who would like a ride to/from dinner)
- Fully licensed
- All allergies and special needs have been communicated to Alfresco's
- Menu:
- 7:00 am: Perhaps an early breakfast at El Cafe prior to the Dolphin Cruise?
- 8:30 am: Meet at Admiral's View Lodge for luggage storage on the coach and ride to the wharf if taking the bus from Paihia to Auckland
- 8:45 am Boarding Time, 9:00 am Departure
- Half-day Bay of Islands cruise in search of dolphins and other marine life. Enjoy the views from the catamaran Dolphin Seeker as we journey around the Bay of Islands right to the end of the Cape Brett Peninsula, to the famous Hole in the Rock on Motukokako Island.
- According to Maori legend, local warriors used to paddle through the Hole in the Rock in their canoes before departing for battle. Drops of water from the cave roof above were a good omen. If conditions permit, your skipper will expertly guide the ship through the narrow space... and if you get dripped on, consider yourself lucky!
- Keep an eye out for common and bottlenose dolphins, whales and other marine life during the cruise, and have your camera ready as we get up close to the action.
- The purpose-built catamaran is licensed by DOC (the Department of Conservation) for dolphin viewing and the crew have years of experience locating dolphins in these waters.
- Stop off at picturesque Urupukapuka Island and relax on the beach, or walk to the top of the island to enjoy 360° views of this beautiful region before we make our way back to port. As part of the cruise we offer a free ferry ticket so you can explore Paihia or Russell at your leisure.
- Dolphin Seeker has indoor and outdoor seating available, and the largest outdoor viewing decks in the Bay of Islands.
- Hot and cold refreshments are available on board, (or feel free to bring your own lunch).
- 2:00 pm: Travel back to Auckland via coach charter, pick-up from the Paihia Wharf
- Drop off at the Hilton
- Airport drop off
- Bus: Auckland – Paihia – Auckland
- Return: $112 per person
- 1-Way - $56 per person
- Double Dip Combo Tour, Cape Reinga/90 Mile Beach, Saturday and Sunday - $185 per person
- Cape Reinga Tour, Saturday Only - $145 per person
- Dolphin Cruise to Hole in the Rock, Sunday Only - $102 per person
- Saturday dinner at Alfresco’s - $52 per person (excluding drinks)
- Visit and explore Russell via ferry
Last edited by crankychick; May 18, 2015 at 10:49 pm
Reason: Updated Bus Pick-Up Timing from AKL