Without looking back at the old posts, did the #1ers decide on Sheep World and a winery visit?
Anyone who has another suggestion, post it here!

I wonder what winery this one is that Marcie posted about:

"I can't remember the winery we visited...it was en-route and near Sheepworld about 45 minutes outside of Auckland as I remember. Gorgeous scenery getting there."

This winery is right near Sheep World, it looks really pretty and the lunch menu looks fun. Lots of antipasto-like choices with fresh breads, not too heavy since we have an early dinner that evening.

http://www.ransomwines.co.nz/winery.html

I think that is what we posted back in the spring. Sounds good to me. Didn't we decide on 6 hours? 9-3?
Time to rest before Orbit dinner?

Does this sound about right? Leave Auckland, tour the winery, have an early lunch and then go to SheepWorld?

I think Sheep World comes first. Why I think this? I don't know. Maybe from Marcie's post when she went there.

Editing ---- Just read Marcie's post. Karen you are right - lunch/winery, then sheep world.

SheepWorld's first show starts at 11am.

Daily Schedule:
11:00am Sheep & Dog Show
1:15pm Eel feeding
2:00pm Sheep & Dog Show
(includes duck show Sat and Sun)
4:00pm Animal feeding time

I guess we have to be there by 11am to see the sheep show? So I supposed we could do the winery afterward around 1pm?

LOL Betty, now I am confused on which order to do them in after reading your post!

Editing to add, Marcie, is there other things to do at Sheepworld other than the sheep and dog show? Is that show a must or does it not matter what time we are there?

Karen - did you see my edited post above yours? Maybe the van man will know which is best!!!!!!!

Yes Betty, I saw your edit! I emailed the winery to see when tour times are. This winery also has a wine bar that sounds neat, you watch them making wine from the bar!

Heres a link that will give an overview of where you are heading.The district is called Rodney and you will be heading up the east coast.

http://www.rodneynz.com/rodney.htm

You have picked the best part to visit,but then as a resident of Rodney ,(Orewa),I would have to say that.

I have been in touch by email with a nice woman named Marion who suggested that I look at the group tour options for the winery. I also asked if we could arrange a antipasto type lunch with fresh breads, salami, cheeses, olives, etc. and she said that is an option.

I like option #3 or #4 on this list:


Option 1:
Wine tasting
$10 per person
An introduction to Ransom Wines plus a tutored tasting of 5 to 7 wines, depending on availability, presented by the winemakers.

Option 2:
Tour & tasting
$14 per person
An introduction to the vineyard and tour of the winery by the winemakers followed by a tutored tasting of 5 to 7 wines.

n.b. Minimum numbers required. Tour times are organised to fit in with winery and winebar activities.

Option 3:
Wine & Cheese Matching
$16 per person
For an exceptional taste experience - a tutored tasting by the winemakers: 5 wines matched with a series of locally produced cheeses served on large platters accompanied by marinated olives and baskets of breads. A complimentary tour of the winery if staffing and time allow.

Option 4:
Wine Tasting & Lunch
$28 per person
An introduction to Ransom Wines by the winemakers plus a series of 5 wine tastes to accompany "The Wine Taster's Platter" served on large platters and designed to share.

I like #3 or #4 too - perfect light lunch with my favorites - wine, cheese, bread, olives or lunch option #4-

#3 works out to be $12US and #4 works out to be $21 US pp. Both an excellent value, I think!

If van #2 would also like to do this tour, I mentioned to Marion that we might have 2 vans. I think I will start a van #2 post just to get those riders talking!

you mean #4 is $21 US - OK big spender here will opt for #4

Ooops, yes I did mean #4! I just changed it to the right number.

Carol and I will go with what others prefer. We are easy.

Thank you Karen for taking this on and doing the research , very much appreciated. Looking forward to meeting you and the others. FUN FUN FUN.

Ralph, I think it will be a nice relaxing tour! Especially if we do the wine tasting first ;)
I can't wait to meet you, too!!

Jan and I prefer #3 if that helps.
#4 is ok too.

I'm a little confused what we receive included with our van we paid for??

I think Betty is right. We probably should do sheep world first. If we do the wine first we may be so mellow that we won't care about sheep dogs. LOL (Jan said we might be in love with the sheep). What a sicko!! :ohmy: :ohmy:

Jim 6 hrs of touring?? I have ADD when it comes to zoo type places - how long will we be at Sheep Farm? Maybe we can think of an extra stop too - yes lunch/wine AFTER serious stuff (otherwise we'll be snoring in van) Kiwi Dave info needed :app: :app: :app:

I am happy to skip SheepWorld if we can find something else to do, I pmed Dave maybe he has more suggestions?

In the meantime, I will do some searching but beware, I usually come up with off the wall activities :eek:

Karen, have no idea what Sheep World is like, but you can't go to NZ without visiting a sheep farm! Only place most people will probably go to see one! It was one of the highlights of my trip on a leg of the WC in '05. Wineries are everywhere, and I'm tired of them after France, Chile, New Zealand,and Africa, but those other places don't have sheep farms! The one we went to (through Regent) was a private farm, and it amazed me how the owner could send whistle signals to his dogs waaaay up in the hills. Certain whistle sounds made the dog turn left, right, go up, go down. And watching those dear dogs work so hard and furious getting the sheep herded and back down to the pen was fascinating to me! I hope this is not a "petting zoo" type place where you just get to see them shear a sheep, but more a working farm, as that is what I am talking about. Don't mean to horn in on your own plans, as I'm not even on this cruise. Just passing along my personal experience on my visit to NZ.

Olivia, the farmer next door to us has sheep :)

I will do whatever everyone else wants to do but Sheepworld doesn't sound like it's exciting anyone.

Karen, sorry I butted in on Van #1 itinerary. I shall hold my tongue from now on. You guys should do what you want! I would not go on any excursion that showed me white tail deer, as they wander around my property like they own it!

Olivia, no need to be sorry! We welcome all suggestions!

Last May in Ireland we visited a sheep dog trainer's farm. He gave about a 30 minute demonstraiton of what his dogs could do & showed the different breeds of sheep he raised. It was amazing what those dogs could do & how the sheep obeyed them. We had a great time.

Karen.
I have spoken to others who were in the Auckland area and have done Sheepworld and say it is really something to see.

Just a suggestion: Maybe 1 van could go to SheepWorld.

We also were there a long time ago and really enjoyed it,especially the dogs and their ability to control the sheep. I think they also had a cow and picked a lady from the audience to try and milk it. It was funny since Vi was brought up on a farm and could milk like a pro. I would go back again. Enjoy it.

I think since we only have 6 hours that we might be limited to what we can do. Sheepworld is fine with me but I will go anywhere that the gang wants to go! I do think the Ransom winery will be fun and a great place for lunch.

Ok.
Let us do sheepworld
then Ransom Winery.
Nothing saying we have to stay at sheepworld
if we get bored our time starts slipping away
from us.
Does that sound ok?

I still would like to know what is included in the price we paid for the van or are we just using it as a private taxi service?

Just a private taxi service, Jim. What were you hoping to be included?

Oh I don't really know. :D :D

Sounds like it is all coming together for you.You will have a lovely day and if you have the two times to work to,namely Sheep World and Ransoms you can use the van to drive around at will.
Your driver should know the sights to visit, or drive through, but here are a few suggestions.You probably wont have time to do them all but can have them up your sleeve, time permitting.

Puhoi
Just off the main road on the way North.A small, historic village, settled by Bohemians.Claim to fame a pub.Further up the the valley,worth a drive for the scenery,is the Puhoi Cheese Factory and Cafe.Lovely country setting,you can look through glass to the cheese factory but being a Sunday may not be working.Handy for a "comfort stop" .
Warkworth
A country town worth a drive through.Has a nice wharf by the river.
Parry Bush Reserve
Also home to the Warkworth Museum.The Museum would be too time consuming to visit, but in the grounds are some HUGE Kauri trees.Worth a photo stop.
Dragon Fly Gallery
On the road to Matakana.Cafe and Gallery worth a look .Also has art work.A modern garden setting.
Matakana
Delightful country town.Has a farmers market, but only on a Saturday morning.Also home to Morris and James ceramics.
Sandspit
Further on from Matakana.Brick Bay Drive takes you to the top of the hill for stunning views over Kawau Bay.A bit further out ,so that one would depend on how you are runnning for time.

Then do Sheep World and on to the winery.
On the way back,
Wenderholm .
A public reserve with a lovely beach amidst big and ancient pohutakawa trees which should all be in bloom for you. Should also see sheep grazing.One spot on the dunes has a giant picture frame where you can take a framed pic with the sea and islands as a backdrop.
Waiwera
Worth a drive through as its just by the highway.Thermal pool resort,in small bay.When the tide is out you can actually dig a hole in the sand and hot water will come to the surface.
Orewa
On the left side as you are returning to Auckland there is a lookout above the beach.
Also coming back into the city just before you cross the bridge there is a great view across the harbour to the city from the motorway.You wont be able to stop, but a good spot to have cameras ready.
That should be a pretty full day,and be able to be done in your time frame, but should you arrive back earler than expected get the driver to carry on down the motorway for a short while and take you for a drive through Cornwall Park and up to the top of "One tree Hill",(now known as "No Tree Hill").From there its just a short run along the motoray and back to the City,or you could head down to waterfront and come back along Tamaki Drive.
David.

Oh WOW!
Thank you for all the wonderful suggestions.

David thank you sooo much! Jim I am all for Sheep World first and then winery with lunch squeezing in some of David's suggestions along the way, if possible - Karen do they want to know which option we want, #3 or #4 for a reservation, or can we decide #3 or #4 once we get there? Just let us know -

Ditto what Joanna said. And thanks David. I love all the suggestions and thank you for taking the time to write them. I will be there 2 days before the group arrives and have most of that time planned, but will study your list. How far from Auckland is Puhoi? I am of Czech descent so it would be interesting for me to see if the communities in New Zealand are any different than the Czech communities in Oklahoma and Texas. Those towns in this area of the US continue to keep much of the Old World traditions alive and active.

Betty,
Puhoi is about 45 minutes drive from Auckland.No public transport goes there.It is very small and quaint with only a few buildings.You will see it all from the van.The settlers took up land holdings in the district,so very few houses in the village.There is a museum there,(Ive yet to see it open) but here is a link that gives all the History and the links back to the Homeland.Most people live on an acreage.It was very popular for "the hippy lfestyle" at one stage but is changing now as the area has come into high demand ,being close to Auckland.

http://www.puhoihistoricalsociety.org.nz/

Hi fellow Van 1'ers!
When we were in Auckland we went to lunch first than to Sheepworld but not sure it would matter. We were at Sheepworld approx. 1 1/2 - 2 hours. The highlights were seeing the dogs herd the sheep and getting to feed the baby sheep. Seeing the sheep shearing was also interesting but if time doesn't allow, I guess I'd cut this out if I had to choose something. I don't think there will be a time issue with lunch and Sheepworld both if this is what everyone wants to do.

These are a few pictures taken at Sheepworld:

[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v600/marciematassa/newZealand-29-1.jpg?t=1194970556[/img]

[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v600/marciematassa/newZealand-33.jpg?t=1194970689[/img]

[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v600/marciematassa/newZealand-35-1.jpg?t=1194970728[/img]