10:00 am

• We’ll meet at Dairy Flat services 9:45am and head North, stopping to see the great Kauri, Tane Mahuta en route
• Stop for lunch wherever we feel like and then head to Opua car ferry, onwards to Russell where we stay at The Duke of Malborough, for the first 2 nights.
• We’re offsite tonight and bus to Sage with a 5:45pm pick up for 6pm dinner that concludes about 8:30pm. Our last minute attendees will drive to dinner as the bus can’t accommodate. Sage is an award winning restaurant with incredible views, fine food and wine. We have a specially set meal. An optional (not included) matched wine experience is available at $55/head – just advise the waiter when we arrive.

• Awaken & grab a relaxing breakfast after yesterday’s big drive. We have allowed free time to explore the local area on foot or we could jump on the ferry to Paihia.
• As we near lunchtime, get poised for a private boat charter on “Ranginui”. At 12:00pm we’re cruising to our luxury lunch. Get ready to enjoy a wine tour, tasting & lunch, cheese and desert platters at The Landing! This will be a gastronomic treat at one the areas best vineyards.
• At 3:00pm we cruise back to Russell wharf through the Bay of Islands blue waters. Arrival around 4:00pm. Relax for a few hours and dinner will be at The Duke tonight @ 7:00pm – Winston’s local! Two last minute couples staying at Villa Russell, will meet up with us for the morning & later on for dinner (as the boats at maximum capacity).

• We’re on the road again heading a couple of hours further North via Kerikeri breakfast cafe stop, then onto the local farmers market and a photo stop here and there. We’ll end up at Karikari peninsula, where we check into luxury villas at Carrington Estate. These are shared, private villas, 2 couples per villa. Each room is well separated and has its own ensuite.
• Dinner will be at the resort tonight. Once checked in, we’ve booked a 1:30pm tee time for a fun, Ambrose tournament playing 9 holes. Non-players get to drive the carts & will be encouraged to join in the fun with an occasional swing, or if that’s too much for you, relax in your villa or head to the restaurant or bar/cafe. The afternoon is yours! We’ve booked 2 sets of hire clubs but if you want to take yours, please message Peter Bish to arrange transport if you can’t fit them in!
• Dinner and prize giving will be at the Resort restaurant tonight & 6:30pm.

• We’re here to relax! Breakfast is available between 7:30-10:30am at the main resort. Wine tastings at the winery restaurant is between 11am-5pm – these are optional (not included). Golf is a special price @ $85pp, cart $45 & club hire $45.
• There’s plenty to do. If you want to go fishing let Neil know asap so a booking can be made, or maybe play some more golf, or we could drive to Cape Reinga! Today’s activities will be determined by weather & numbers attending and personal preference as some may simply want to unwind and put your feet up with a good book. Dinner will be the Estate’s restaurant again @ 6:30pm.

• Our formal itinerary is to head back to Auckland today.