Waiheke Island is nicknamed the island of wine. A one-time haven for hippies and artists, the island started its transformation into a hip world-class wine destination in the 1970s, when vines were first planted.
The grapes, it turned out, thrived in Waiheke s microclimate. Even though the island is just a 40-minute ferry ride from downtown Auckland, it s drier and warmer than New Zealand s most populous city (no wonder residents flock there on weekends). Combine those climatic conditions with lean soils and it s no surprise that Waiheke is as well known for its complex reds as it is for its stunning natural beauty.
Northern-Explorer - Hapuawhenua Viaduct Heading South
The journey started with a dad joke: “There’s no wi-fi, but we do have Windows available, no password needed.” It took a beat before the passengers aboard the Northern Explorer looked out the massive windows and got the gag. Through these panoramic portals we would experience the wild and changing landscape of the Central North Island for 11 hours, which was a pretty appealing prospect, not just for the scenery but for the fact that for a whole day we need do nothing but sit, eat, read, watch and learn about our own backyard.