Accompanying Persons Programme
It is our wish that WFBSC 2011 delegates leave Auckland having experienced New Zealand culture, diversity, beauty, cuisine and wine that we know are world class and we hope they will love. We have therefore created a programme that will show off the very best that our city can offer.
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Monday 7 February |
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America's Cup Racing on the Hauraki Gulf - NZ$200pp |
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City Highlights Tour - NZ$69pp |
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Matakana Art and Wine Tour - $280pp |
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Tuesday 8 February |
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Coast and Rain Forest Walk - NZ$170pp |
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All prices are current at the time of publishing and may be subject to change in the future. |
America’s Cup Yacht Racing on the Hauraki Gulf
Westhaven Marina, one of the largest marinas in the Southern Hemisphere, is located an eight minute walk from the Westin. It is the entrance to the Hauraki Gulf, a majestic all-weather marine playground with green islands and spacious, clean beaches. Venue of the 2000 and 2003 Americas Cup Challenge, the marina has played host to some of the world’s most luxurious boats since the Millennium and is the course of your match racing morning.
The America’s Cup is the world’s oldest and most prestigious sporting trophy and ultimate yachting regatta. Usually the domain of billionaires and elite professional yachties, iconic yachts NZL 40 and NZL 41 offer the unique opportunity for everyone to participate sailing on these grand prix racing machines. Passengers become the crew and are encouraged to take the helm, exert energy on the grinders or simply sit back and enjoy the action as we sail down the Auckland Harbour. The trip suits people of all experiences and abilities and is the perfect activity in Auckland, ‘City of Sails’.
| Logistics | |
|---|---|
| Possible Numbers | 60 (30 in each boat) Start time: 1400 |
| Possible Outline Timetable (race can be extended as required) |
Match racing participants to meet at Viaduct basin, maps will be provided Match racing begins Match racing ends Participants invited back to Hotel for drinks |
| Match racing details | Charter type: 2 Hour Private Match Race with NZL 40 and NZL 41 - NZ$200 pp |
| Dress | Casual/wet weather gear |
| Misc instructions | Lots of suntan protection is required, sunglasses for the glare and flat soled shoes or sandals are best. A bottle of water ( they do have chilled water for sale at the booth) and if taking a camera onboard, then it is a good idea to place it in a plastic bag as you do get spray and sometimes waves when tacking. |
| Smoking Policy | Non smoking activity |
Sculpture Park, A Unique Perspective on New Zealand
Today we travel to the jewel of Hauraki Gulf 40 minutes by ferry - to Waiheke Island - where we enter the extraordinary environment called Sculpture Park.
The Sculpture Park offer visitors a unique experience to view large outdoor contemporary sculpture by some of New Zealand’s best known sculptors. The vision of the owners, John and Jo Gow, has been to unite art and nature by planting sweeps of native trees and creating special places for commissioned site-specific and purchased New Zealand sculpture.
Currently the park contains 20 works in differing scale and media and each of the commissioned sculptures tells a story about its existence. The walk leads on to one of the many rustic macrocarpa seats where you can enjoy a vista looking out towards the Coromandel Peninsular.
We lunch at Cable Bay Vineyards with its spectacular views back to Auckland City. The food is great here, the wine even better. Neil Culley, Managing Director and winemaker presents his award winning wines to compliment Chef Thorpe’s simple and chic menu of the best of New Zealand ingredients.
| Logistics | |
|---|---|
| Possible Numbers | As required |
| Possible Outline Timetable | 0900-1600 Ferry ride – ½ hour Transfer to Sculpture Park – 15 minutes Sculpture Park - as long as required Lunch/dinner at Cable Bay at 1300 – allow for minimum of 1.5 hours and a maximum of 4 hours Ferry ride home – ½ hour |
| Costs | To include Ferry per person return, Sculpture Park entry per person, Lunch and transfers to and from hotel. NZ$145.00 plus gst per person |
| Dress | Casual/wet weather gear |
| Smoking Policy | Non smoking activity |
| Beverage | Wines of Cable Bay |
Golf Day at Gulf Harbour Country Lodge
Spectacular finishing holes, ocean views, rolling terrain and classic, traditional values. All combine to make the Gulf Harbour Country Club one of the most exciting new developments in New Zealand.
You will be transported to Gulf Harbour in time for a 12.45 pm briefing and a shot gun start. A circulating drinks cart will provide refreshment for the duration of the afternoon, with drinks and a prize giving to finish off the day after a shower at the club house, back in town by 6pm.
Designed by Robert Trent Jones Jnr., this 6,400 metre, par 72 golf course is located at Gulf Harbour on the Whangaparaoa Peninsula, just north of Auckland. It meanders through native grasses and vegetation and has a natural look and feel from start to finish.
Four sets of tees assure playability for every calibre of golfer, from beginners to professionals. Like all great courses, Gulf Harbour tantalises players with a variety of exciting holes. Several feature risk and reward opportunities, and none are tricked-up or artificial.
| Logistics - Half Day | |
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| Possible Numbers | Up to 120 |
| Outline Timetable | 1200 Pick up from hotel 1240 Arrive at Gulf Harbour Country Club 1245 Briefing and shot gun start 1630 Prize giving, drinks and nibbles in the Club House 1730 Transfer back to the hotel (NB only available on Tue/Thu/Fri) |
| Cost | NZ$150 per person for a minimum of 20 players, to include green fees, cart, circulating drinks cart and nibbles and drinks at prize giving). Clubs and shoes are available for hire for an additional cost. (coach costs separate – this will depend on how many we are taking out to Gulf Harbour) |
| Dress Code | Appropriate Golfing attire |
| Menu | Circulating drinks cart Drinks and nibbles to finish the day |
| Logistics - Full Day | |
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| Possible Numbers | Up to 120 |
| Outline Timetable | 0800 Pick up from hotel 1000 Arrive at Gulf Harbour Country Club 1005 Briefing and shot gun start 1630 Prize giving, drinks and nibbles in the Club House 1730 Transfer back to the hotel (NB only available on Tue/Thu/Fri) |
| Cost | $220 per person for a minimum of 20 players, to include green fees, cart, circulating drinks cart, drive by BBQ lunch and nibbles and drinks at prize giving). Clubs and shoes are available for hire for an additional cost. (coach costs separate – this will depend on how many we are taking out to Gulf Harbour) |
| Dress Code | Appropriate Golfing attire |
| Menu | Drive by BBQ lunch Drinks and nibbles to finish the day |
City Highlights
Take a tour of Auckland’s most spectacular city sights - Auckland sits on 48 dormant volcanoes situated on a narrow isthmus between two harbours, the sparkling Waitemata to the east and the brooding Manukau to the west. Known as the City of Sails, it’s New Zealand’s largest city.
The tour can take in Queen Street, Auckland’s ‘Golden Mile’; Auckland University Campus and Albert Park (Auckland's oldest park); stunning views of the harbour, yacht marina and Harbour Bridge; a visit to the Auckland Domain; Ponsonby - Auckland's cafe district; the summit of Mt Eden, the city’s most prominent volcanic cone with its 360° views of the city and harbour; Parnell Rise - a popular shopping area; the Parnell Rose Gardens and the wonderful drive along Tamaki Drive - Auckland's waterfront.
| Logistics | |
|---|---|
| Possible Numbers | Up to 100 pax per party |
| Outline Timetable | 1230 Pick up from hotel 1730 Return to hotel |
| Cost | NZ$125 per person |
| Dress Code | Casual, flat shoes |
Adrenalin City
Get your adrenalin pumping with three of Auckland's most exhilarating activities:
SkyWalk is the most thrilling adventure to be had in Auckland City. Walk the 1.2 metre-wide walkway around Auckland’s famous Sky Tower – 192 metres above the ground, no handrails and nothing but air either side of you!
Continue down to the waterfront for an exhilarating walk on Auckland's Harbour Bridge. This is the only Bridge Climb in New Zealand, coming complete with your very own tour guide. If this is not thrill enough for you, jump off the Harbour Bridge, the world's first harbour bridge Bungy Jump, operated by the Bungy originals - AJ Hackett Bungy. Once airborne take the time to enjoy the views of the harbour, that is if you can keep your eyes open long enough.
| Logistics | |
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| Possible Numbers | Up to 50 pax per party |
| Outline Timetable | 1230 Pick up from hotel 1730 Return to hotel |
| Cost | 5 hour tour, including SkyWalk, Bridge Climb and guide - NZ$390.00 inc gst Bridge Bungy – additional NZ$135 per person Minimum 15 pax for the above prices to apply. |
| Dress Code | Casual, flat shoes |
Coast and Rain Forest Walk
Escape from Downtown Auckland and within 30 minutes arrive at the Arataki Visitor Centre, gateway to the rainforest, situated in the Waitakere Ranges. The breathtaking panoramic views from the sweeping decks extend from the Tasman Sea to the Pacific Ocean. Absorb the area’s history and admire the magnificent traditional Maori carvings that stand guard there.
Continue further west with our knowledgeable and highly experienced guides to the wild and rugged west coast where you get to experience the isolation of the area. Our guides walk you through an area of Auckland’s coastal rainforest where they explain the local flora and fauna with its giant tree ferns growing alongside picturesque streams in regenerating rainforest. You then get the opportunity to visit a magnificent rugged west coast beach where you feel the soft sand beneath your feet as you stroll on one of the most awe inspiring beaches in the world.
After a kiwi style picnic lunch at a scenic location your journey takes you to an area of untouched original rainforest with mature 1000 year old kauri trees. New Zealand has existed for millions of years separate from the rest of the world so has evolved in isolation to produce its own unique flora and fauna – 70% of our native plants are found nowhere else in the world. Our guides explain about our native species as you walk amongst New Zealand’s famous kauri trees and native birds.
| Logistics | |
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| Possible Numbers | Up to 50 pax per party |
| Outline Timetable | 1000 Pick up from hotel 1700 Return to hotel |
| Cost | The cost for this tour is NZ$170.00 plus gst (including refreshments and picnic lunch) |
| Dress Code | Casual, flat shoes |
Matakana Art and Wine Tour
Travel 40 minutes north of Auckland and experience the art, wine and cuisine of the Matakana Coast wine country.
Your first stop is Morris and James Pottery and Tileworks, creators of high quality, hand-crafted ceramics. Take a tour and see clay being 'thrown' and pots being decorated. Buy a piece to take home or just admire the beautiful pieces shown in the collection showroom.
Continue on to one of Matakana's premier vineyards for winetasting and lunch. With a flourishing wine industry, the small mostly family owned wineries in the Matakana are quality-focussed, each providing visitors with the opportunity to share the passion and products of the winemaker. Enjoy a set menu lunch at the vineyard restaurant. As the region abounds in a startling array of fresh produce, the area's chefs are spoilt for choice and are therefore able to provide fine dining in a picturesque vineyard setting.
After lunch, travel to Brick Bay Sculpture Trail and view sculpture inspired by the New Zealand landscape and framed by towering native trees and majestic palms, abundant birdlife, green pastures and overlooking the celebrated Brick Bay vineyard. This is a unique outdoor gallery experience, where an ever changing display of 25 to 30 works is sensitively sited along the 2 km trail. The track is an easy one-hour walk suitable for most ages and abilities.
Return back to Auckland City over the Harbour Bridge, with stunning views of the harbour and yacht marina.
| Logistics | |
|---|---|
| Possible Numbers | Up to 50 pax per party |
| Outline Timetable | 0900 Pick up from hotel 1600 Return to hotel |
| Cost | The cost for an 8 hour tour is NZ$260 plus gst. This price includes pottery tour, winetasting, set menu lunch and entrance to Brick Bay Sculpture Trail |
| Dress Code | Casual, flat shoes |
Notes:
All prices are current at the time of publication and are subject to change
All prices quoted are GST exclusive
It is advisable for delegates to book their social options when they register.