Accommodation
Iconic luxury lodges, remote alpine chalets and ultraluxe villas
Experiences
From the farmyard to the vineyard
Itineraries
From Northland to Southland and the West Coast to the East Cape
The city of Auckland graces a stunning region of extinct volcanic cones, marine headlands and endless suburban beaches, with the jewel in the Hauraki Gulf’s crown being Waiheke Island, the island of wine.
Sitting astride two huge natural harbours, Auckland has always been a city defined by the ocean. Its sprawling suburbs line beautiful city beaches, while the increasingly chic and cool downtown core boasts marinas full of mega yachts, waterfront restaurants and exclusive luxury city hotels. The city has long featured in ‘world’s best’ lists, helped in no small part by its commercial dominance and proud multi-cultural status as the largest Polynesian city on the planet.
Located just a short ferry trip from Auckland, Waiheke Island was once the domain of those seeking a quiet beachside life, but has exploded in popularity recently, thanks to its over-achieving wine industry. No less than thirty vineyards now blanket the island, all boutique in nature, with stunning beachside locations that make it all too easy to while away an afternoon, al fresco style.
Just an hour north of the city, Matakana is a coastal village with fabulous food – a favourite weekend playground for locals.
Luxury Destinations in Auckland & Waiheke Island
Explore a selection of our favourite locations
Luxury accommodation in Auckland & Waiheke Island
Experience some of our favourite places to stay
LUXURY EXPERIENCES IN AUCKLAND & WAIHEKE ISLAND
Discover a few of our favourite activities
Itinerary Inspirations
These itineraries have been designed to inspire you with a small selection of the many unique adventures to be had in this beautiful region. Once you have a feel for the destinations and experiences that best resonate with you, we will tailor every element of your perfect luxury travel itinerary, exclusively for you.
Experience the best of Auckland in one weekend
Experience the very best of Auckland over one long weekend. Start with a half day tour of the best of the city, including Auckland Domain and the impressive museum, the Auckland Harbour Bridge, charming Devonport with its impressive skyline views, and Auckland’s waterfront area including Viaduct Harbour and Wynyard Quarter. Then head west for the forest-clad Waitakere Ranges and the black sand beaches of Piha and Karekare. No trip to Auckland would be complete without a day to Waiheke Island, where you’ll explore the boutique stores and taste the islands best wines.
- Inclusions
3 nights’ accommodation (3 nights at the Park Hyatt including including breakfast), return airport transfers between Auckland Airport and your accommodation, full day private guided tour of the city including the west coast, return ferry tickets between Auckland and Waiheke Island, and a full day private guided wine tour of Waiheke Island.
Take a weekend break to Waiheke Island
Discover why Waiheke Island is the playground of the Auckland elite. New Zealand’s third most populated island, Waiheke boats rolling green countryside, quiet white sandy beaches, gallery filled townships, and most famously, some of New Zealand’s trendiest vineyards and cellar doors. Swim and roam by day, then watch the sun set over Auckland and the Hauraki Gulf from your vineyard perch.
- Inclusions
3 nights’ accommodation (3 nights at The Boatshed including including breakfast), return ferry tickets between Auckland and Waiheke Island, return ferry transfers between the ferry terminal and your accommodation, and a private guided wine tour with lunch.
Stay a weekend on a vineyard in Matakana
Just north of Auckland, Matakana is one of New Zealand’s up and coming wine regions. The cute township is home to a small selection of quality stores and a great pub, as well as the famous weekend farmers market. Surrounding the town are boutique vineyards, one of which has a luxurious four room lodge, Takatu. This beautiful property has a large airy lounge which opens up to a fantastic patio area with views over the vineyards to the ocean beyond.
- Inclusions
3 nights’ accommodation (3 nights at Takatu Lodge including breakfast), 4 days rental vehicle including full insurance and GPS (if required), and a half day private guided tour of the vineyards.
Two weeks in New Zealand's best lodges from north to south
This classic ultraluxe itinerary has you visiting the very best of New Zealand’s lodges throughout the country. Start in the city of Auckland and enjoy the wines of Waiheke Island before heading south to Taupo for a stay at iconic Huka Lodge. Delve into New Zealand farming life, with a luxury twist, at The Farm at Cape Kidnappers. Stay in a grand Downtown-esque manor on the outskirts of Christchurch. And finally, as you head towards Queenstown, take two epic helicopter rides, one through the Southern Alps and another to Milford Sound, a pièce-de-résistance you’ll never forget!
- Inclusions
14 nights’ accommodation (2 nights at Park Hyatt Auckland, 2 nights at Huka Lodge, 3 nights at the Farm at Cape Kidnappers, 2 nights at Otahuna Lodge, 2 nights at The Lindis, and 3 nights at Matakauri Lodge, inclusive of breakfast daily, 7 lunches and 12 dinners), private car and driver transfers to and from airports and accommodations, private seaplane flight to Waiheke Island with a private wine and food tour of the island, private tour of the Hobbiton movie set, private guided hike and cruise of Lake Taupo, private wine and food tour of the Hawke’s Bay, green fees, club and cart hire at Cape Kidnappers Golf Course, cooking class at Otahuna Lodge, private tour of Banks Peninsula and Akaroa with dolphin cruise, private helicopter journey through the Southern Alps, private guided fly fishing day, private helicopter excursion to Milford Sound, and s private full day touring of Queenstown art and highlights.
Idyllic islands and stunning alpine lakes mixed with New Zealand's best wine regions
Explore the best of New Zealand’s coastal vineyard regions! Start on Waiheke Island where you can squeeze in some beach time between vineyard visits. Continue on to the Hawke’s Bay where you’ll find yet more vineyards, this time with views over to rugged Cape Kidnappers. Then head inland on the South Island to see New Zealand’s unique braided rivers washing down from the Southern Alps. Finish your journey journey in Queenstown, an alpine resort town perched on the edge of beautiful Lake Wakatipu.
- Inclusions
10 nights’ accommodation (2 nights at The Boatshed, 3 nights at Craggy Range Cottages, 2 nights at the Lindis Lodge, 3 nights at the Spire Queenstown, including breakfast daily, 2 lunches and 3 dinners), rental vehicle including full insurance and GPS, private wine and food tour of Waiheke Island, private guided cycling tour of the Hawke’s Bay vineyards, private guided horse trek, private helicopter to Milford Sound including a picnic on a peak, and a private wine tour of Central Otago.
Beaches, volcanoes and culture on this North Island only itinerary
Experience the best of what the North Island has on offer, from the beaches of Northland to the vineyards of Waiheke Island; the lakes and volcanoes of the Central Plateau; and the rich green farmlands of the Wairarapa.
- Inclusions
12 nights’ accommodation (2 nights at The Boatshed, 3 nights at The Lodge at Kauri Cliffs, 2 nights at Huka Lodge, 2 nights at Craggy Range, 3 nights at Wharekauhau Country Estate, including breakfast daily, 2 lunches and 8 dinners), rental vehicle including full insurance and GPS, private wine tour of Waiheke Island, private cruise through the Bay of Islands, private helicopter flight to Mount Tarawera and White Island, private wine tour of Hawke's Bay, and a private farm tour at Wharekauhau.
many many many thanks!!!!!!
We have been blown away by everything - hotels, food, people, golf, wine - the list is endless. You did an amazing job
Planning a 7 week trip is daunting enough without the complications of COVID cancellations, rebookings, and closures. Yet every connection, every transportation detail, every accommodation, every meal, everything was flawless.
From our arrival in Sydney .. to our last stop in Queenstown .. we will carry with us the best memories of our trip and all of your efforts. The incredible private boat tours .. the bespoke wine tours with the best guides .. our accommodations .. and the excellent itinerary and pacing, made for a perfect trip.
We can't thank Southern Crossings enough for making this trip all, and more, than we had imagined. You allowed us to see the best of your countries: the people, the beauty, the culture. Five stars, a blue ribbon, and a gold medal to everyone at Southern Crossings!
Your country, its people and your team could not have made us feel more welcome.
Thank you for all the special moments you enabled us to experience.
