Waiheke Island: Wine Tasting, Scenic Drive & Beach Lunch

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Free cancellationExcellent quality

1/12

Duration4h

GroupUp to 18

LanguagesEN

Mobile ticketAccepted

Wine tasting on waiheke island with lunch and beach views

You’ll taste Waiheke Island wines with locals who know their stuff, enjoy a relaxed platter lunch with sea views, and walk Onetangi’s long beach under old pohutukawa trees. There’s time for art galleries or coffee in Oneroa village before your easy return to Auckland—a day that lingers in small ways.

Step-by-step itinerary

Waiheke Island wine tasting and sightseeing

Drive scenic northern route
Wine tasting at first vineyard
Wine tasting and lunch at second vineyard
Visit Onetangi Beach
Stop at Oneroa village
Return to Waiheke Wharf

The Experience

The first thing that hit me was the salt in the air as we rolled down the windows driving up Waiheke’s northern road. Our guide, Simon, pointed out the Hauraki Gulf stretching blue and wide—he said you could see all the way to Coromandel on clear days. Not sure if it was just the light or the wine talking later, but I believed him. The vines at Mudbrick looked almost too green against the grey stone buildings. We tried three wines there—one of them had this weirdly peppery finish I can’t stop thinking about. Simon told us how volcanic soil changes everything about the taste, which somehow made each sip feel more interesting.

Lunch happened at Stonyridge (or maybe it was another spot—they switch sometimes), and honestly, I didn’t expect to get so full from a platter. There was smoked fish, olives that tasted like actual sunshine, bread that was still warm. Someone at our table tried to pronounce “Onetangi” right; Li (she works at the vineyard) laughed and gave us a lesson—my attempt was apparently hilarious. After lunch we wandered down to Onetangi Beach. The sand felt cool even though it was sunny; you could hear tui birds somewhere in the pohutukawa trees, but mostly it was just quiet except for waves and someone’s dog barking way off.

We had time to poke around Oneroa village before heading back—tiny art galleries, a shop selling honey from local hives (I bought some). There’s this slow pace on Waiheke that makes you forget Auckland is only a ferry ride away. I kept thinking I’d want to stay longer next time, maybe just sit in a café watching people come and go instead of rushing for the 5pm ferry. Still think about that view from Mudbrick sometimes—you know?

What’s included

Your day includes guided transport around Waiheke Island with stops at two vineyards for wine tastings (all tasting fees covered), plus a relaxed platter lunch with a glass of local wine. Afterward there’s free time at Onetangi Beach and Oneroa village before an easy return to Auckland by ferry when you’re ready.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelers

Operated by Ananda Tours Limited