Discover The Charm Of Waiheke Wineries In A Day

Plan your perfect day exploring the best Waiheke Wineries!

Just 40 minutes by ferry from Auckland lies Waiheke Island.

Known as New Zealand’s wine island this is a wine enthusiast’s paradise.

In just 36 square miles ( 92 square Km) you can explore about 30 wineries.

Each winery in Waiheke has its unique charm.

But unless you plan to stay for longer than a day you’ll have to select two or three to spend your day.

Getting to Waiheke

There are several easy ways of getting from Auckland to Waiheke Island.

The most common way to reach Waiheke is by Ferry.

Fuller 360 has frequent catamaran passenger service between Auckland and Matiatia.

You can pre-book and reserve a seat or use their walk-up service.

We recommend you pre-book your return seats, especially during festivals, holidays, and the summer.

If you have a car and want to explore the island, you can take the Sealink ferry service instead.

Sealink provides car and passenger ferry service between Half Moon Bay, East Auckland, or Wynyard Quarter, Auckland City to Kennedy Point, Waiheke Island.

A faster but more expensive way to reach Waiheke is by air.

Waiheke has an airstrip with service to/from Auckland and other locations on the North Island.

Waiheke Wings also has scenic rides over the island and the nearby Coromandel Peninsula.

Visit the Waiheke Wings website for more information on flying to Waiheke from Auckland or enjoying an aerial view of the islands.

Exploring Waiheke’s Wineries

Unless you brought your car from the North Island, the easiest way to get around Waiheke is by bus.

The Waiheke Bus Company, part of Fullers360, runs the island’s public transit service.

Their scheduled routes connect popular locations, including key beaches and wineries, to the Matiatia Ferry Terminal.

With a fixed fee per trip, the easiest way to move around is to purchase an AT Hop card.

The AT Hop card is the same card used for Auckland public transport so if you already have one you can use it to get around in Waiheke.

Fuller360’s Hop-on Hop-off bus is probably your best alternative if your main goal is to explore Waiheke wineries.

The service offers convenient and flexible access to some of the Islands top vineyards allowing you to enjoy at your own pace.

If you prefer to visit just one or two wineries and prefer to take your time and not be hindered by a schedule there are several taxi and transfer services in Waiheke.

• Paradiso Taxi, Tours & Transfers
• Waicabs – a locally-owned taxi service
• Waiheke Island Taxis

Renting a car at Matiatia Terminal is a good alternative if you prefer to be the owner of your time.

The rental car office is right beside the information office at the Terminal.

Renting a car will give you the freedom to arrive early and explore the beaches and the town.

Then head to your winery (ies) of choice for a tasty lunch and some fantastic wine.

As an alternative, you can join one of the many wine-tasting tours offered on the island.

Get Your Guide, Viator, and other local companies all offer a variety of tours.

One of them is sure to meet your needs.

For local tour alternatives visit the Tourism Waiheke website for information.

Waiheke’s Wineries from Traditional to Wild

The wineries and vineyards of Waiheke Island are as varied and eclectic as their locations around the island.

When planning your day trip to Waiheke take into consideration that the tasting rooms and restaurants open at 11:00 am and some close as early as 4:00 pm.

Deciding whether to visit a vineyard for its food or only for wine tasting will be key to your planning.

Consider the kind of experience you want from your visit when making your selection.

Are you looking for amazing ocean views or are grapes and olive trees your preferred scenery?

Are you looking for a traditional vineyard or a more modern experience?

On Waiheke Island, you have wineries for all kinds of experiences, tastes, and budgets.

Waiheke winery ideas

These are just a few of the incredible winery options available in Waiheke:

• Te Whau – this winery has stunning views of the Bay and a world-class restaurant.
• Batch Winery – this winery has some great Syrah, Chardonnay, and Bordeaux wines. They have a relaxed restaurant serving island-style dishes.
• Te Motu – Located in the Otenagi Valley this vineyard has excellent Bordeaux-style wines and a charming restaurant.
• Casita Miro – in this vineyard overlooking the Onetangi Bay, the Miro-inspired grounds, combined with Spanish-style tapas and wines, transport you straight to Spain. Their red wines and Jerez are excellent.
• Stonyridge – also on the Onetangi Valley, Stonyridge is nestled among olive trees and grapes. Their Veranda cafe is considered one of the most romantic spots in New Zealand. But it also has an extensive deck and lawn for a more casual setting.
• Man O War – almost alone on the north-eastern side of Waiheke Island reaching this vineyard is a journey in itself. In addition to exceptional wines, this winery also offers a Zip-line and Kauri Forest walk experience. To visit this winery you will have to take a special coach at Matiatia Terminal or a cruise with Explore Group cruise directly from Auckland.
• Wild Estate Vineyards – with the philosophy of “Everything You’ve Never Known” and an invitation to explore possibilities, you’ll find archery and other games, eclectic cuisine, and a great place to experience a unique day with family and friends.

Waiheke Wineries Close to Matiatia Terminal

A few wineries are reachable on foot from the Matiatia Terminal.

A 20 to 25-minute walk brings you to:

• Cable Bay – this winery has two eating options in addition to wine tasting. They have facilities for events like weddings and also some overnight stay options.
• Jurassic Ridge – a small family-owned vineyard and winery situated in Church Bay. Especially good for red wine lovers.
• Mudbrick – Another family-owned estate Mudbrick is a beautiful venue with stunning views of the ocean from its Bistro and restaurant. They also have venues for weddings and rooms to stay the night.

Although they are reachable on foot, we recommend using a taxi or the bus to reach the wineries in order to take advantage of your limited time on the island.

These are just a few of the almost thirty Waiheke wineries.

To discover even more possibilities visit the Tourism Waiheke website.

A Day Exploring Waiheke Wineries

Waiheke makes a wonderful day visit from Auckland.

It’s easy to reach, even easier to explore, and provides a wide range of experiences.

There is much more to do in Waiheke than just wine.

It has amazing white sand beaches, diving, fishing, sailing, great restaurants, and bush walks.

So if you have time in your itinerary consider staying overnight on the island.

This gives you time to explore more wineries, relax on beautiful beaches, and enjoy other unique activities on the island.

Visit the Waiheke Tourism website for additional details on getting to the island, getting around, and current activities.

If you love beautiful beaches, rolling vineyards, and wine Waiheke Island is a must for your visit to New Zealand.

Set aside at least one day in your Auckland itinerary to explore New Zealand’s wine paradise, Waiheke Island!

Whether you visit for one day or stay a week, Waiheke Island is an amazing place to discover top-notch wineries amongst some of the most stunning nature in New Zealand.

Enjoy!