Due to Auckland being in an extended lockdown during the Delta outbreak, the New Zealand government decided to offer tourism packages to get residents out & about. All you had to do was register as an individual, or family, and you could recieve a $50 or $100 voucher to use at activities around the city.
I was lucky enough to win a family voucher for $100, and Mark and I chose to do an Island cruise to Motuihe with Red Boats.
Starting at 9am, it took us about an hour & 30 minutes to get to the Hauraki Gulf Island Reserve. As a DOC (Department of Conservation) pest free Island, our bags were checked and shoes had to be cleaned.
Visitors can do the day trip, camp overnight, or arrive by their own boat. There are a few beaches and about 5 different walking tracks. Facilities include flushing toilets, information center and small cafe.
We walked directly to the Eastern Loop to spend all of our day at Calupos Bay. It only took us about 30 minutes and we were the only ones there except for the occasional trekker every now and again.
It was pretty cloudy but boy did we enjoy the sun when it came out. We also arrived at high tide around 11:15am, thus making us sit on bigger shells and driftwood.
At about 3pm we started walking back to the pier. The boat left at 4pm on the dot and we were back in the city by 5.
We thoughly enjoyed our day, but do come prepared with enough water, food and drinks for a full day.
