Waiheke Island Wine is world famous, and a ‘must do’ for any wine lover. This island paradise is the second largest and most populated island in the Hauraki Gulf. Just a short ferry ride from downtown Auckland is a trendy tourist spot and a much welcome retreat for Auckland’s locals.

GETTING TO WAIHEKE ISLAND

Waiheke Island is easily accessible from Downtown Auckland. You can choose Sealink for as little as $32 return but the Sealink timetable is not so regular. However, it is a vehicle ferry so you can take your car. For $40 return, Fullers offers a regular ferry service running from very early to very late, departing every 45 minutes.

GETTING AROUND WAIHEKE ISLAND

Once you are there, you have a few options for getting around the island which includes driving, biking, buses and tours. But if your main priority is to fit in as many vineyards and wine tastings as you can then the best option has to be the Waiheke Explorer Bus. This hop on hop off bus offers 15 stops for you to choose from.

Purchase a combo pass, and you get your Fullers Ferry return tickets and an all-day pass on the Explorer Bus. You could use the local buses as a cheaper option by you won’t get the excellent bus driver guides that are full of great recommendations and local information.

If you are up for a walk, then consider walking over the hill between Casita Miro and Wild on Waiheke. This will include another four vineyards along the way.

WAIHEKE ISLAND WINE

Now to the important part! There are twenty vineyards on the island, and the majority of them are open daily for tastings. The island is best known for producing great reds, but you will find loads of varieties to try. The following come highly recommended:

Casita Miro
This vineyard is situated on a lovely hillside setting within walking distance of Onetangi Beach. This vineyard includes a restaurant with a very decorative Spanish setting. Here you can try five wines for $15 which includes white to red.

Te Motu
If you are a fan of red wine, then you want to make sure you make your way to this cellar door. Four tastings for $20 might sound a bit pricy, but these are not just any reds and included are two vintages.

Stonyridge
This vineyard prides itself on its Cabernet blends, and according to Lonely Planet 2015, this vineyard caused the world to wake up to Waiheke. On-site, you will find the Verandah Café which is the perfect place to book for lunch. It is here you can enjoy a few tasting options starting with three tastings for $10.

Wild on Waiheke
This vineyard adds a little fun to the experience with archery and clay bird shooting on offer. Maybe not a good idea after a few wines though! That aside they have a great menu of plates, platters and sharing boards. Wine tasting here is $3 a taste which a great way to do it, try as few or many as you like.

Mudbrick
This is the perfect place to finish the day. If you are lucky you might catch amazing sunset views in the direction of Auckland City. All while enjoying a great meal after some wine tasting. Tastings here are $10 for a standard tasting or $15 for premium. Both come with four wines to taste.

IS THERE MORE THAN JUST WAIHEKE ISLAND WINE?

Te Matuku Oysters
If you love oysters, then it would be a sin not to stop and try these ocean delicacies! You will find them in-store at the small village of Ostend, and yes the Explorer Bus stops here!

Walk Waiheke
You can walk the whole of Waiheke following Te Ara Hura, a network of tracks that make up a 100km loop. Start anywhere and head in any direction. You can turn it into a multi-day walk, plan places to stay along the way and activities to enjoy. Of course, by activities we mean wine!

Waiheke Beaches
Including some beach time into your visit is a good idea, especially if you are there in the warmer months. Make sure you pack some bathers and a towel just in case you can’t resist taking a dip! If you were to choose a beach to spend some time, then Oneroa and Onetangi come highly recommended.

Oneroa Village
As well as having one of the best beaches on the island, Oneroa is the hub of Waiheke. Here you will find restaurants and cafes as well as boutique stores and art galleries. You can also try many of the island’s wines in one place at the Waiheke Wine Center.

Other articles that may interest you:
Getting to Great Barrier Island
The Best Things to do on Great Barrier Island
How to get to the City from Auckland Airport

ABOUT THE WRITER – Karllie is a solo budget traveller with a passion for inspiring others to explore her homeland of Aotearoa New Zealand and beyond. Having travelled to many places around the world she still believes there is nowhere more amazing and beautiful as home. In her 40s, Karllie has a background in education and enjoys the outdoors, especially hiking. Find out more about Karllie…

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