Day Trips

Taste of Waiheke: Wine and Gourmet Food Tour

Friends toasting with wine at a Waiheke Island vineyard, New Zealand, enjoying a meal together.

Group tasting olive oil at Allpress Olive Groves, Waiheke Island, New Zealand.

Group of friends tasting wine at Batch Winery, Waiheke Island, New Zealand.

Friends tasting wine at Cable Bay Vineyard, Waiheke Island, New Zealand, during sunset.

Hop aboard the ferry from Auckland and sail into a day of vineyard-hopping. Your private coach awaits at Matiatia–your gateway to Waiheke's world-class wine scene.

At Allpress, taste liquid gold crafted from Waiheke's volcanic soils. Their hand-pressed oils capture the island's sunny microclimate in every drop.

Savor a seasonal two-course lunch at Batch Winery, located at Waiheke's highest point. Panoramic Gulf views and premium wines.

Continue your flavor adventure at Cable Bay and Mudbrick, where award-winning pours complement the views across the sparkling Hauraki Gulf to Auckland's skyline.

This seven-hour wine-lovers dream handles all the details – ferry tickets, tastings, lunch, and transfers – so you can focus on what matters: savoring every sip.

Full-day tour of Waiheke Island from Auckland

English-speaking guide

Return reserve ferry transfers from Auckland to Waiheke Island

Olive oil tasting at Allpress Olive Groves

2-course lunch and a wine tasting at Batch Winery

Wine tasting at Cable Bay Vineyards and Mudbrick Vineyard

Private coach for transfers on Waiheke Island

Additional wine purchases (available onsite)

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

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Getting started

Your island wine adventure kicks off at Auckland's Downtown Ferry Terminal for the 10:15am departure. Grab an upper-deck seat to feel the sea breeze as Auckland's skyline recedes and Waiheke's green hills emerge on the horizon during the 35-minute ride.

What to expect

Stepping onto Waiheke soil, you'll spot your Taste of Waiheke coach – your chariot to gourmet paradise! First stop: Allpress Olive Groves, where Waiheke's unique microclimate works its magic. Here, you'll learnhow sea breezes and volcanic soil create olive oils with remarkable character. You can also sample various oils, from buttery smooth to robustly peppery. (The honey and pesto tastings might just have you plotting how to fit bottles in your luggage!)

Next, you'll wind uphill to Batch Winery located at Waiheke's highest point. Batch offers jaw-dropping 360° panoramas of island vineyards and the Hauraki Gulf. Your seasonal two-course lunch here pairs perfectly with their signature wines – including their unique Prosecco-style Thomas sparkling that's among New Zealand's finest. Between bites, your guide will share fascinating insights about Waiheke's wine-growing history.

Wrapping up

The afternoon continues with tastings at Cable Bay, where floor-to-ceiling windows frame postcard-perfect views, and Mudbrick Vineyard – a rustic-chic estate known for its award-winning reds and stunning gardens. By day's end, you'll understand why Waiheke's boutique wineries punch well above their weight on the world stage.

As the 4:30pm ferry glides back to Auckland, you'll have experienced the perfect blend of gourmet delights, stunning landscapes, and island hospitality – all without worrying about maps, reservations, or driving!

What to bring

Bring your hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen for this experience.

Dress in comfortable clothing, allowing for the tour’s activity levels and locations.

What’s not allowed

Carry-on luggage for the ferries must be small enough to fit under seats or in designated areas.

Smoking and vaping onboard the ferries are not allowed. Alcohol consumption is only permitted if purchased onboard.

Commercial use of video, photography, or audio recording equipment without prior permission is not permitted.

Children aged 18 years and under are not permitted to participate in this experience.

Accessibility

This experience is wheelchair accessible.

The carer of a person with the Auckland Transport Total Mobility ID card or Blind Foundation card is entitled to travel for free on the same journey to assist the passenger.

Additional information

Facilities: free Wi-Fi, restroom, fully licensed cafés, power points, luggage racks, and bike racks.

Should you wish to, you can stay longer on Waiheke Island after the tour—just inform your tour coach, and your return Waiheke Reserve ferry ticket remains valid for any Walk-up sailing within 12 months.

Arrive early to ensure smooth boarding—boarding may close before departure.

Follow crew instructions for safety and operational procedures.

Larger luggage, bicycles, and other bulky items are subject to space availability.

Services may be delayed or canceled due to weather or operational reasons.

Off-peak tickets for Waiheke Island are valid for sailings from downtown Auckland to Waiheke Island from 1pm until the final departure.

They also apply to sailings from Waiheke Island to downtown Auckland from 7pm until the final departure.

Your voucher will be emailed to you shortly.

Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the boarding point.

Please arrive at the boarding point 15 minutes before the scheduled time of your cruise to avoid any delays.

Boarding point

Board your cruise at Downtown Ferry Terminal Pier 13.

Address: Pier 13/14, 117 Quay Street, Auckland Central, Auckland 1010, New Zealand

Get directions to the boarding point