CHRIS GUZIAK 

Fabulous Australia offers a great variety of stunning places to discover. From legendary Sydney and its magnificent harbour to the famous Coral Barrier Reef – every corner of Australia is strikingly beautiful. One of the most popular areas for the yacht charters is Whitsunday Islands – a fantastic sailing location offering incredible views of the national park, best snorkelling spots and stunning beaches. One of the numerous luxury resorts of Whitsundays is Qualia, located on Hamilton Island; it offers a fine dining restaurant and an excellent spa. Here you can spend your first day and then move on to the other magnificent islands of the area. Neck Bat, Long Island and Hooked Island – all of them offer white clean beaches and picturesque walks you will enjoy. Another area popular for charters in Australia is Kimberley region and Pittwater, which is close to Sydney – so there is plenty of charter opportunities if you choose Australia for your luxury holiday.

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Day 1 - Auckland

Join your yacht in the Viaduct Marina of downtown Auckland, where gourmet restaurants and wine bars line the waterfront under the city skyline. Your yacht will then leave the marina and head out into the Hauraki Gulf, where sailing yachts are stretched out as far as the eye can see. The yacht will drop anchor at Waiheke Island for a gorgeous lunch on deck, before you’ll head ashore to enjoy the boutique wineries and olive groves in the rolling hills. After your walk, have a swim at one of the white sand beaches or a kayak around the coast, before relaxing in the yacht’s Jacuzzi at sunset with cocktail in hand. The first dinner on board your New Zealand charter yacht is always a delight, but there’s also some very tempting dining options on the island, including Mudbrick Restaurant and Vineyard.

Day 2 – Hauraki Gulf

The yacht will continue exploring the magnificent Hauraki Gulf today, stopping at the islands along the way. Walk among a forest of thousand-year-old trees on Tiritiri Matangi Island, explore the wildlife sanctuary on Rotorua, or take the summit track to the volcano on Rangitoto, passing lava tunnels and forests along the way. The Hauraki Gulf also has some sensational and secluded bays where you can get busy on the water toys, or you might like to drop a line to take advantage of the region’s great fishing. Stay on board for dinner tonight and ask the chef to grill up your catch.

 

Day 3 – Coromandel Peninsula

It’s hard not to fall in love with the Coromandel Peninsula. The coast is lined with golden limestone which has been eroded into cliffs and majestic archways, and walking paths wind up from the soft-sand beaches into the ancient Kauri forest. On the coast, you’ll be dying to launch the kayaks to paddle through the turquoise water beneath the cliffs or dig yourself a ‘bath’ in the sand at Hot Water Beach to soak in the volcanic springs. Inland, you’ll discover quaint little towns with farmer’s markets and art galleries, surrounded by lush hills where white lambs graze on grass so green it almost glows. This gentle countryside and bountiful coastline produces some extraordinary produce for your discovery as you sample boutique wines and local craft beers, tuck into freshly shucked oysters at the Coromandel Oyster Company or dine on the sea view terrace at Miha Restaurant at Grand Mercure Puka Park Resort. 

 

Day 4 – Great Barrier Island

Great Barrier Island is a mighty wilderness- a pristine paradise of thickly forested mountains and blue-green bays. You can hike for days across Great Barrier Island on one of New Zealand’s Great Walks, but yacht guests will have to settle for one of the many excellent hikes near the coastline, or just pass your day diving, surfing, mountain biking or fishing. You’ll definitely want dinner under the stars tonight, for Great Barrier Island is one of only three Dark Skies Sanctuaries in the world, showcasing the Milky Way spread out across the sky in all her astonishing grandeur. With no light pollution and very little sign of man on the landscape, you really feel like you’re at the bottom of the world on a yacht anchored off Great Barrier Island.

 

Day 5 - Great Barrier Island to Mokohinau Islands

Today you’ll visit one of New Zealand’s best-kept secrets, the Mokohinau Islands. While the Poor Knights Islands to the north have received international acclaim for their diving, the Mokohinau Islands offer the same dramatic cliffs and underwater topography and benefit from the same nutrient-rich currents that create an underwater wonderland of corals and life - not to mention some superb deep sea fishing. Because it’s so hard to get to, you’ll feel like you’ve discovered something special as you snorkel, dive, and kayak around the steep, spectacular coastlines.These remote islands are seriously off the beaten track; you cannot land at all but one of the islands and there are no facilities whatsoever. There aren’t any overnight anchorages in the archipelago, so it’s a short cruise back across to the mainland at Whangarei for sunset, where you can stretch your legs exploring the vibrant town. 

 

Day 6 – Mokohinau Islands to Kawau Island

The yacht will get away early to make the cruise back to the Hauraki Gulf, arriving at Kawau Island to spend your last full day on your motor yacht charter in Australasia. This pretty island is blessed with white sand beaches and excellent gentle walking trails, as well as the beautiful colonial Mansion House, where peacocks walk the lawns between the exotic plants. Spend your afternoon at anchor enjoying the water toys and relaxing on board, before the yacht makes its way back to Auckland for a last evening in one of the superb restaurants that have made New Zealand a gourmet destination.