Coast to Coast Tours
Coast to Coast Tours
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Sheepworld tour, Wilderness tour, Private Tours, Shore Excursions, enjoy this with our guide/operator Peter. All-inclusive [pick-up, lunch, wine, and all fees] and geared for cruise ship passengers to enjoy a memorable time around the Auckland region. Half day tours and private tours available. Contact us for more details.
Auckland Central, New Zealand
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Tours and Tickets by Coast to Coast Tours

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5.0
5.0 of 5 bubbles317 reviews
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Ingrid434
Tel Aviv, Israel32 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2015 • Couples
Wow. Stuart picked us up at 0900. We were the only 2 doing the tour so we had our own private tour. The day was our introduction to seeing Auckland. We couldn't have picked a better way of doing it. Our tour included a visit to the Rainforest, a craft market, honey sampling and then a fabulous lunch . After lunch we visited the most spectacular black sand beach and then...the HIGHLIGHT of our tour was a visit to Stuart and his wife, Donna, historic home ..Motutara Homestead. This was our introduction to the Maori culture. After feeding the sheep, talking to the most beautiful parrots and birds, we had the honor of planting a tree .
The afternoon ended with an a scrumptish afternoon tea prepared by Donna. We had the best made pavlova.
We spent time sitting in Donna and Stuart's living room and felt as if we had known each other for ages.

Donna and Stuart..This review comes with a deep appreciation for a wonderful and exciting day. Thank u both for your warm hospitality.
Written 6 March 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello Ingrid, Thank you for taking the time to write a review and to let us know you have arrived home safely. It was a pleasure hosting you both and having you visit our farm and hearing all about your lives and family too. We’re so pleased you enjoyed your day! All the very best to you both and we too look forward if our paths should cross again in the future. Ngā mihi nui, Donna & Stu.
Written 14 March 2015
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Sue C
Oakdale, CT12 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2014 • Couples
In the world of Donna and Stu Hamilton, owners and operators of Coast to Coast Tours in Auckland New Zealand, one quickly realizes there is no time to dilly dally. They run a celebrated tour company, a sheep farm with an orchard, gardens of lovely flowers and vegetables, a forest of Carbon Credit Reserves fill in here and even an animal sanctuary! They're offering not only a tour, but "The Ultimate Experience". We enjoyed a genuine snippet of life on a sheep farm and sightseeing of the surrounding attractions on the North Island. Their website is fascinating and all reviews are justly heartfelt. Take a look, there are even recipes included.

We spent such a wonderful day together (albeit rainy) and what a brilliant tour we experienced. The Waitakere Rainforest, the Arataki Visitor Information Centre, a local artisan craft market called Craftworld, a wine tasting experience at an award-winning New Zealand winery, a visit to the world-famous Takapu Gannet Colony next to the black sand Marwari beach, then winding up at the nearby ECO friendly Hamiliton Homestead. Donna welcomed us (in Maori-), into their lovely home filled with the history of their lives. Donna and Stu are native New Zealanders with Donna being of Maori descent. Fascinating. After touring the farm and feeding the baby lambs we were treated to tea with homemade samples of farm grown specialties which were delicious. The Hamiltons are a most charming and sincere couple who are full of interesting stories. Imagine this exceptional couple still respectfully using the words "Please" and "Thank You" to each other after 30 years of marriage. You just can't miss this experience, it is the absolute best! Every sheep, every lamb, every chicken, every dog, bird, cat, and probably every vegetable and fruit from their orchard has its own name. They have a veritable animal shelter and we met all the lucky survivors. If I were an animal in trouble, I'd make my way to the Hamilton Homestead post haste. It's hard to imagine how they can do it all. But with the help of their two daughters a true family tradition has continued.

We feel as if we've made two lifelong friends, thank you Donna and Stu!

Sue And Chip Coleman
Connecticut USA
Written 4 November 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi there! …I often think I need a secretary at this time of the year as our bookings go through the roof. But then, we’d miss out on the personal correspondences such as with these folk. Early in the piece, we were asked if we’d like anything brought over from their state, to which we replied; the NZ Bio-Security would most likely confiscate it, but thanked Sue for her kindness. This was not to be the end of it…as (unbeknown to us) “permission” was sought via direct contact with NZ Customs!!! and on the day of their tour we were presented with the goodies…. The marshmallow fluff we had never seen before - (oh how we must have led sheltered lives up ‘til now! ;) - peanut butter, and a gorgeous set of sheep S&P shakers. These items were not lightweight in their luggage …nor were their thoughts! We feel rather blessed how our tour business sees us meet lovely people. A two-way exchange with our customers makes our occupation so rewarding. Fluffernutter best wishes Sue & Chip, many thanks for your kind words here and for choosing our tour. -Donna & Stu
Written 8 November 2014
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

TOSHINOBU K
Kyoto Prefecture, Japan2 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2014 • Couples
Dear Donna &Stuart THANK YOU. I could visit the location of the Japanese English conversation program and was the best.their family and country life in New Zealand. Highly recommended!
Written 9 October 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Arigato Toshinobu! We were pleased to meet you on our tour. It is great to know how much you enjoyed seeing our farm and Homestead where the NHK series was filmed. Actress Mika Hijii was lovely, and it was good to get to know her over the 2 full days of shooting. We trust you will get to visit other places of interest in the future. Regards, Donna & Stu.
Written 16 October 2014
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Hefner98
Huntington Beach, California5 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2012 • Couples
This was a wonderful way to spend a day near Auckland, even though it rained part of the time. Stu picked us up at our hotel and the fun began. He was very knowledgable about the area and we learned a lot. We visited the rainforest, black sand beach and gannet colony, enjoyed wine tasting at Nobilo, and had lunch at Bees on Line where the fish and chips were great. Then, on to the sheep farm and homestead for a Maori welcome from Donna and an afternoon of visiting the animals and birds, learning about sheep shearing, and having a wonderful high tea before returning to our hotel. This tour is also an Eco-Tour and we now will have a tree that will be planted at their farm in our names. We highly recommend this to anyone who visits the Auckland area.
Written 13 April 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello there… It is lovely to have received your comments. As we are now one of the very few Auckland tour companies listed in this “Auckland” section of Tripadvisor that actually concentrates their business operations *in* Auckland, not only are we pleased that you enjoyed your time with us, but more, it’s great for others to read your recall of all the things in Auckland, for this “Auckland things-to-do” section! As you also mentioned, we are Eco-focused. Operating locally, (that is again[!] *in* Auckland), is one of our main principles. The other is that WE plant a tree in our own farm’s Reserves for every tour run to help keep us Carbon Neutral. Yes, we pass the tree-of-the-day onto our guests, as we wanted to give our visitors more experience with making their carbon offset. And, with us going all the way to the Environment Court to secure NZ Government Covenants…(a very interesting procedure!!)…, these trees are protected. Happy future travels, Regards, Donna + Stu.
Written 16 April 2012
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

ManQc
Qc20 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2011 • Couples
We've visited Auckland, last December and as we where cruise passenger, we had only day in this city so wanted to see as much as possible. We didn't know exactly what to do. We decided to contact Donna, at Coast to Coast, and as she was answering each one of my e-mails so quickly and also taking the time to answer each of my question so carefuly, we've finaly decided to book with them and it was a really good decision. When we've disembark the ship, Stuart (Donna's husband) was already waiting for us and as we where the only two persons who had booked this day, it was a totaly private tour. It was fantastik. Stuart is a very nice man, he is so charming. We've first stoped at the Sky Tower (we where not suppose to go in the city but Stu asked us if we would be interested to see the Tower, which was the case so we where very happy about that) and than, we went to the rainforest, it was absolutely beautiful. After that, Stuart took us to Nobilo winery for a degustation, it was great. Next, we went to the west coast wild beaches.....Wow,it is breathtaking.....and as this tour was totaly private, we could take as much time as we wanted and also we could stop everywhere we wanted. After this great moment, Stuart finaly took us to his sheep farm. Donna was waiting for us and after a nice Maori welcoming, we've started the visit of the farm. It was so interesting. Donna had prepared many bottles of milk so we could feed the lamb......what a wonderful moment. They've explained us how the sheepsharing was done and all the products and under products that are made with the wool. We've meet all the members of the family, Girly (a new born lamb) and also BooBoo, a huge sheep, and also all the other animals, birds and dogs. Donna takes care of everyone so carefuly, she is her mother. After the visit of the farme, Donna and Stu made us visit their home and Donna had prepared many good things to eat.....her Pavlova dessert is so good and as it was my husbands' birthday, she even had the delicate attention of offering him a birthday gift. As the time was going fast the and end of the day arriving, Stuart drove us back to the ship after this wonderful day. We totaly recommand Donna and Stuart if you want to taste a sample of everything Auckland has to offer and if you dont have many days in that city.
Written 29 January 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bonjour! We really appreciate how busy life is these days, therefore many thanks for taking the time to write a review. What a fantastic recall you have of your day! Having you on a ‘Private’ tour did allow you to do the things at your own pace and for us to get you back to your boat (which was in fact quite an early sail time). We are pleased to hear you enjoyed your time experiencing the Auckland countryside, being hosted through the region where we live and coming to our home..…and especially having a birthday “down-under”!! Yes, Girlie was shorn! (as you saw on our You Tube videos), and since she is still rather small, she is continuing to have the odd bottle of milk. It was great meeting you... (too short-a-time to practice my French!!). Thanks so much for choosing our small, locally operated tour. We wish you all the best for your future travels. Best regards, Donna + Stu.
Written 31 January 2012
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

SueInSanDiego
SueInSanDiego3 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2011
Auckland is an attractive city. But I’m so glad that I arranged a tour with Coast to Coast, a very small (one couple) company that offers a great look at New Zealand and a real, working sheep farm. First, Stuart took us to a rain forest and pointed out native New Zealand flowers, plants, trees and birds. We stopped for wine tasting at Napoli vineyard. Really nice sauvignon blanc, chardonnay and another one I can’t remember. My husband had to restrain me from buying a bottle or two. We had a yummy lunch at a nice restaurant and then went to Stuart and Donna’s house and sheep farm. Donna is part Maori and gave us a greeting in the native language. She took us on a tour through their home, pointing out the “green” systems and unique water system. We went out and gave treats to several of the sheep and then my husband got to bottle feed a lamb. They took us through the shearing barn and showed us the equipment used and then how the wool is bundled for shipment. We also walked through their orchard and finished the visit with tea and uniquely New Zealand cuisine. We got a chance to talk with the two of them about their lives in New Zealand. It was wonderful.
Written 23 March 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kia ora SueinSanDiego, Thank you for detailing the account of your day’s activities of our tour via Tripadvisor. We, (the one-couple ‘band’!!) really do enjoy showcasing ‘our’ neck-of-the-woods. Our house (with its many “green” features) enables us to [try] to live as self-sufficiently as possible, and visitors have especially enjoyed our new home orchard this season as they’ve been able to pluck apples and peaches straight from the trees. We are pleased to know folk find these experiences interesting. Of course, we just love learning from our visitors as well, and feel this “exchange” is really what Tourism is all about. The cellar staff at Nobilos vineyard certainly do give an excellent service, don’t they? Perhaps we may see you visit there again…this time able to take home your couple of bottles of wine :)!! Take care, Donna & Stu.
Written 24 March 2011
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Patricia K
Fort Myers, FL3 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2011
We recently toured NZ and Australia, spending the first 3 days in Auckland and were fortunate to start our trip with a full day with Coast to Coast tours. We were 15 people in our group and Stu picked us up right on time at our Auckland hotel. We traveled in a large comfortable bus with 7 or 8 others and had a simply fantastic day. We visited both coasts outside the city, including the gannet colony and the black beach. We also spent time at Arataki preserve, stopped for honey tasting & purchases & had a great opportunity to taste many wines at a winery. The highlight was a real NZ barbecue lunch cooked and served at the family farm by Donna and her two daughters. And, we got to visit with and feed the sheep and enjoy their bird aviary. It was just a perfect day ---- 8 hours spent with warm wonderful people and a full introduction to the environs of Auckland as well as its people.
Written 14 March 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello, Your 26 days cruising must have been wonderful, and we say thank you very much for taking time from all your ‘return-home-chores’ to add these comments on Tripadvisor. We had a larger than normal group on this day, so we are pleased to hear you thought the journey was comfortable and ran smoothly. We do find quite a few folks like to arrive in Auckland a day or two before they start their cruise so they can have a look around. We thank you for choosing us to give you a taste of the surrounding Auckland countryside (and its people) on this occasion! Best regards for your future travels, Donna & Stu.
Written 17 March 2011
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

misslauraj
Sudbury, Canada4 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2010
Whether you only have a few short days to spend in New Zealand, or have been touring the island for weeks, this is an exceptional tour that all will enjoy and benefit from! Eco-Tour & Farm Visit is the opportunity to see all the best that Auckland has to offer but without the hassle of planning or the responsibility of driving. It’s like taking an amazing guided tour by the long-lost ‘Kiwi’ family members you never had! An amazing day of exploring all the unique and beautiful “must-sees” that make Auckland, New Zealand the matchless and extraordinary destination it is. Before you leave, make sure to plant a tree so New Zealand will remember your time there, just as you always will!

Kia Ora!
Written 13 January 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kia ora, and many thanks for your review, and also the exuberant impression you received of Auckland New Zealand! Of course we feel Auckland is pretty special too …(but we are biased as we are both New Zealand born, and Aucklander’s!!!). Sadly though, many view Auckland just as a transit place: a stop on the way to go North or South, so the diversity of Auckland can tend to be overlooked by quite a few. Auckland is a sprawling region, and certainly is more than just the city, as you have maintained! We are very proud to concentrate our tours solely on Auckland itself, so it’s great to hear you say you had lots of “unique experiences” during your “hassle-free” day trip with us. One can sometimes become somewhat blasé about how lucky one is to be in downtown one minute, and then be able to relax in the countryside just a few moments away, so thank you for refreshing the senses! All the best, Donna + Stu.
Written 15 January 2011
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

CarlyLawson
Irvine, CA1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
We recently vacationed in New Zealand and Australia and consider this tour to be one of our favorite highlights of the trip. We felt like we got a better sense of the culture and got to see so many neat things. We really appreciated how Stu and Donna were so genuine and passionate about all that they do.
Written 26 December 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello and many thanks for your review and kind words about our tour. “Our” local region is where our passion lies, and as it is ourselves who host people to see the region where we live (only), we do feel this provides our guests with more genuine experiences. Take care and enjoy your holiday season! All the best for 2011. Regards, Donna + Stu.
Written 27 December 2010
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

WorldTraveler308
Goodyear, AZ75 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Spend the day with Stu and Donna of Coast 2 Coast Tours and have a great time.  From the moment Stu picked us up from our cruise ship it felt like we were with an old friend that was showing us some of his favorite places around the Auckland area.  Since it was our first time in New Zealand we could not have asked for a better welcome and insight to such a lovely country.  We got information about the City of Auckland and were shown some of the highlights as we made our way out of the city.  The agenda that is planned is very unique with several stops that offer such a variety of experiences and each time we gained lots of information and the way it was presented it could only have come from a local.  Of course the highlight of our day was the visit to their sheep farm.  Donna takes over the tour there and opens up their home and shares a lot of details about her Maori heritage.  Both she and Stu are so passionate about New Zealand and it definitely shows.  They are wonderful ambassadors.  Their farm at Muriwai is where Stu’s family have lived since the early 1920’s so we learned about this region’s history first-hand. We had the opportunity to mingle and feed the lambs and sheep while we were there.  That was so much fun.  Donna also has some birds that she introduced us to as well.  They are also doing their part for the environment with their tree planting to offset some of the carbon emissions of their tours.  They were both so gracious and generous it was a pleasure to be in their company.  If you are looking for a different experience with absolutely no hassles - even lunch and afternoon tea are provided, then this is the tour for you.  We have so many fond memories of our day and the best part is that we now have two new friends.
Written 24 November 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Many thanks for your detailed review and the many photos too! We do aim for our tours to be hassle-free, so we are pleased to hear you found it so. Glad too that your highlight was coming to our farm. Yes, our family were some of Muriwai’s early pioneers, and as you saw from our historic family photos, and heard from our first-hand experiences, the region has certainly changed a great deal. Minimising impact, and [only] operating locally, are main aspects of true Eco-tour operation - (we are members of The International Ecotourism Society). Hope you have great memories of your trip 'down-under' and nice to have "made two new friends" too! -Donna & Stu
Written 29 November 2010
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

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