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Auckland Bus & minivan tours

Our most recommended Auckland Bus & minivan tours

Waiheke Island: Ferry & Hop-On Hop-Off Explorer Bus Tickets

1. Waiheke Island: Ferry & Hop-On Hop-Off Explorer Bus Tickets

Discover the magic of Waiheke with a combined ferry and hop-on hop-off bus tour. Travel from Auckland harbor on a ferry and board a double-decker bus to attractions like Oneroa Village, Oneroa Beach, and several local wineries. It’s the most flexible and cost-effective tour option on the island, introducing you to the island’s top spots. Hop on and off as much as you like at any of its 16 convenient stops, which include vineyards, beaches, and restaurants. If you prefer, stay on board and enjoy a scenic tour of the island. The buses stop at some of the island’s iconic spots including Oneroa Village, Onetangi Beach, Batch Winery, the new Tantalus winery/brewery, Mudbrick Vineyard, Cable Bay Vineyard, and more. The knowledgeable tour drivers, and the addition of an on-board host, ensure you’ll receive the most informative commentary as you travel around and you can get all the local tips and tricks for how best to enjoy Waiheke. The Explorer Hop-on Hop-off departs from each location approximately every 30 minutes throughout the day in summer and every 60 minutes throughout the day in winter.

Auckland City Small Group Morning Discovery Tour

2. Auckland City Small Group Morning Discovery Tour

Experience the best sights of Auckland City on a small group city tour. The morning tour is a journey of discovery designed to explore the history and sights, plus see how Aucklanders live and play. After pick up from your central Auckland hotel, travel up Queen Street through Auckland’s central business district, past Auckland University, and through the inner city park 'The Domain'. Auckland is set on over fifty dormant volcanic cones and between two harbours, the sparkling Waitemata and the brooding Manukau. Continue on through the picturesque suburb of Ponsonby, known for its historic buildings, before heading over the Harbour Bridge to the North Shore. Here you can stroll on a beautiful beach with views out across the Waitemata Harbour to Rangitoto Island and where there is time for a coffee.  After a short drive through historic Devonport, continue up to the summit of Mount Victoria for stunning panoramic views of Auckland City and historic Devonport. Mount Victoria is Devonport's very own dormant volcano. Then, travel back over the Harbour Bridge to view Westhaven Marina, one of the largest marinas in the Southern Hemisphere. 

Auckland: Waiheke Island Group Boutique Wine Tour

3. Auckland: Waiheke Island Group Boutique Wine Tour

Catch the 10:00 AM ferry from Auckland City to Waiheke Island where you will be greeted by your tour guide. The first stop is for a lovely wine tasting at the Cable Bay Boutique Vineyard. Sample around 4 boutique wines grown on the island and Malborough. Visit Thomas's Batch Vineyard, where you'll have the option for lunch (at your own expense) and can admire incredible views and enjoy their wonderful food and wine within a great atmosphere. After lunch, make your way to Te Motu Vineyard for classic Bordeaux wines. The last stop is The Mudbrick Vineyard for rose, pinot gris, and more. Return to the wharf at 3:40 PM for the ferry back to Auckland. If you wish to stay on the island, you can be dropped off at Oneroa Village, where you'll find beautiful shops, eclectic Kiwiana gifts, plus good bars and restaurants. Or stay at Mudbrick and enjoy more wine and views.

Waiheke Island: Wine Tasting Tour

4. Waiheke Island: Wine Tasting Tour

Acquaint yourself with Waiheke Island's world-renowned wine on a vineyard-focused guided tour. Discover some of Waiheke’s scenic highlights as well as visits and tastings at 3 boutique vineyards.   Catch the 10:00 AM ferry from Auckland for a cruise over to Matiatia Wharf on Waiheke island where your guide will meet you. Begin with a scenic drive, taking in spectacular views of the Hauraki Gulf and beyond to the Coromandel Peninsula. Marvel at stunning scenery around every corner and be entertained by your guide’s insightful commentary on the history, geography, culture, people, and produce of Waiheke. Sample a range of Waiheke wines from Rose, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, sparkling wine, and Syrah and Bordeaux blends. Encounter spectacular scenery from sun-soaked hillsides of vines to spectacular 360-degree views over the island and beyond to the gulf islands. The tour returns you to Matiatia Wharf in time for the 4:00 PM ferry for a 4:45 PM arrival in Auckland. Or, if you would like to linger a little longer on the island, you can be dropped off at Oneroa Village to explore further. Sample Itinerary: 10:00 AM Depart Auckland on a ferry to Waiheke Island 10:35 AM Arrive at Matiatia Wharf 11:00 AM Mudbrick Vineyard visit and wine tasting 12:00 PM Kennedy Point Vineyard visit and wine tasting 1:00 PM Obsidian Vineyard visit and wine tasting2:00 PM Lunch

Waiheke Island: Vineyard Tour With Wine Tasting & Appetizers

5. Waiheke Island: Vineyard Tour With Wine Tasting & Appetizers

Spend a day exploring the Island of Waiheke. Visit multiple vineyards and enjoy tastings of wine, snacks, and olive oil throughout. Catch the ferry from Auckland City to Waiheke Island. Meet your guide when you step off the ferry and begin your island adventure. Start with Casita Miro, a Spanish-style vineyard with the chance to try wine and food pairings. Then, make a stop at Waihekeana Store for honey and olive oil tastings. Move onto either Stonyridge Vineyard or Cable Bay Vineyard, here you will try the finest blends to accompany your gourmet platters of food. The final stop will be Thomas Batch for wine and food pairings with stunning views of the Hauraki Gulf and Auckland City.

From Auckland: Small Group Kumeu Wine Tour with Lunch

6. From Auckland: Small Group Kumeu Wine Tour with Lunch

Embark on a wine tasting tour and learn the history of the area which dates back to the 1930s when families of Croatian origin established winemaking in the area. Passed on from generation to generation, these families still make some of New Zealand's most renowned wines today. Alongside a wine tasting, you will enjoy the spectacular coastal scenery of the area. On the first stop of the tour, you will taste the richly flavored wines from the award-winning Soljans vineyard. Enjoy your lunch break at Soljans winery restaurant which serves Mediterranean-style food with a New Zealand twist made from the fresh seasonal produce of the region.  Next, tempt your taste buds at Coopers Creek, who offer an extensive range of wines for every unique taste and occasion. Your journey then takes you to one of the few mainland gannet nesting sites in the world situated on the cliff-tops overlooking the Tasman Sea. Here you get a close-up of gannet behavior without disturbing their environment. Enjoy the views that extend for miles along with the wild, black, iron sand beach of Muriwai. End the tour with a stop at West Brook Winery. The West Brook cellar door looks across an idyllic duck pond and terraced picnic area to row after row of vines. The wines reflect true varietal character and their unique regional origins.

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What people are saying about Auckland

Overall rating

4.6 / 5

based on 1,214 reviews

We enjoyed a fabulous day out with Waiheke Island Shared Boutique Wine tour. Our great tour guide and driver Sharon shared her extensive knowledge on the tour of the island and the vineyards. We all enjoyed a wonderful lunch & 3 excellent vineyard wine tasting’s . Certainly compares well with Margaret River WA except I have to admit the views are better on Waiheke Island.

The bus is a great idea but we didn’t realise that they only run hourly during the week! Hardly hop on hop off. It wasn’t at all clear where the bus stop was outside the ferry terminal or which direction to line up in. As a result it was mayhem when the bus arrived! It would be better to use the public bus service which follows the same route.

Our guide was fun, informative and accommodating. The ride was comfortable. The vineyards we visited were varied and definitely worth seeing. Wine pairings were informative and sometimes surprising. The lunch platter was plentiful and delicious. Would happily recommend this tour.

Great day, great driver with lots of local knowledge. Visited four wonderful vineyards is stunning settings. Had overseas visitors so was fantastic to be able to share this with them.

Had to wait for a bit to get on the ferry both ways but not an unpleasant wait. Very good tour! Great sights! Personable and helpful driver and guide. Thank you