Waiheke Island: A Long Lunch Among the Vines
- Duration
- About 8–9 hours, door to door
- Suggested pickup
- 8:45 am from central Auckland, or meet at the Downtown Ferry Terminal
- Ideal for
- Food and wine lovers, couples, celebrations and small groups of friends, corporate hosting and cruise guests
A sparkling harbour crossing, cellar doors with sea views, and a lunch you won't want to end.
Just a short ferry ride from downtown Auckland, Waiheke Island moves to a gentler rhythm of olive groves, sheltered bays and vineyards that roll right down to the sea. Your private day begins with a crossing of the Hauraki Gulf, with Rangitoto rising behind you. On the island, your guide-host is waiting to take you to a small selection of cellar doors, chosen to suit your taste. You might taste bold Bordeaux-style reds, aromatic whites or crisp island rosé, sometimes poured by the people who made them. The heart of the day is a long, unhurried lunch at a vineyard restaurant, where island-grown produce, fresh seafood and a well-chosen glass are served with a view to match. Before the return ferry, there's time to visit an olive grove, wander a gallery or dip your toes in the sand at Onetangi. You won't need to check a timetable or call a taxi. Just enjoy the island.
Sample itinerary (times approximate)
- 8:45 amPickup from your hotel, or meet us at the Downtown Ferry Terminal
- 9:30 amFerry to Waiheke (about 45 minutes)
- 10:20 amYour guide-host meets you at Matiatia
- 10:45 amFirst cellar door tasting
- 11:45 amSecond tasting, at a vineyard with Gulf views
- 1:00 pmLong lunch at a vineyard restaurant
- 3:00 pmThird tasting, an olive grove or a beach stop at Onetangi
- 4:30 pmReturn ferry to Auckland
- 5:30 pmReturn to your hotel (or the cruise terminal)
Inclusions and exclusions
Included: Standard inclusions, plus return ferry tickets, three cellar-door tastings, and a two- or three-course vineyard lunch (venue inclusions are confirmed in your quote).
Not included: Standard exclusions, plus wine by the glass or bottle with lunch, bottles bought to take home (shipping can be arranged with the winery), and the helicopter or water-taxi upgrade.
Standard inclusions
- A comfortable, air-conditioned premium vehicle chosen to suit your group, used only by your party
- Your own guide-host for the whole day
- Door-to-door pickup and return in central Auckland (hotels, apartments, cruise terminal)
- Chilled water, good coffee stops and a few locally made treats on board
- Flexible pacing: we can linger, skip a stop or change the order
Standard exclusions
- Drinks with lunch (unless stated)
- Optional extras and upgrades not listed as included
- Personal purchases and souvenirs
- Gratuities (always optional, never expected)
- Travel insurance
- Airport or out-of-zone pickups (quoted on request)
Price
Tailored to you. Price on request.
Every day is planned around your group, dates and wishes, so we quote each tour individually, in New Zealand dollars. Tell us who is travelling and when, and we'll reply personally with a clear, itemised quote, usually within 24 hours.
Let's plan your day.
Tell us when you're visiting, who's travelling and what you love. We'll come back to you personally with ideas and a clear quote, usually within 24 hours.
Request a quote
