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Private - Waiheke Freedom Tours: Man O' War & the Wild East

Offered by Waiheke Freedom Tours

From

$749.00 per person

4.9 (17 reviews)

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Booking handled by our partner, Viator

6 hours (approx.)Pickup Available Mobile or paper ticket accepted Offered in: English

Tour Overview

Embark on a tailored journey through Waiheke Island, where the charm of its landscapes and the richness of its vineyards come alive. Starting your day at 10:45 am, our comfortable 4WD vehicle, perfect for navigating the less-traveled roads of the island, offers an intimate setting for groups up to four. This tour promises a blend of scenic drives and thoughtful stops tailored to your preferences.

The excursion begins with a scenic drive through Oneroa village, leading to a short, refreshing stop at Palm Beach. The route then guides you to the expansive golden sands of Onetangi Beach. Here, you can enjoy a leisurely stroll along the 1.5 km beach or indulge in a quick swim, with the serene backdrop of Great Barrier and Little Barrier Islands.

As the journey continues, a visit to Man O’War vineyards introduces you to a heritage of winemaking dating back to 1993. Nestled among 150 acres of vines, the tasting room provides a shaded retreat with options for lunch paired with exquisite wines. The view stretches across the bay to the Coromandel coastline, framed by native Pohutukawa trees.

For those intrigued by local flavors, a stop at Waiheke Distilling Co offers a chance to sample boutique spirits complemented by panoramic views across the Hauraki Gulf. Alternatively, the day can be concluded at Mudbrick Vineyard, where you can savor award-winning wines and enjoy the rustic charm of their Italian-inspired gardens, with the Auckland skyline painting a stunning vista in the distance.

Before returning to the ferry or your accommodation, there's an opportunity to explore the vibrant Oneroa Village. Here, you can visit various galleries, cafes, and stores, perhaps ending your tour with a delightful treat from Island Gelato.

This tour is not just a passage through places, but a journey crafted around your interests, ensuring a personal and enriching island experience.

What's Included

  • Beach towels, a picnic blanket, natural sunscreen and umbrellas (just in case)
  • Private tour for your group only
  • Chilled Waiheke Mineral Water
  • Lunch and tastings booked for you before you arrive
  • With a passionate local guide who stays with you all day
  • Spacious, luxury 4WD
  • A photo album of your day

Not Included:

  • Ferry to and from Auckland (book it yourself, with Island Direct)
  • Paid on the day; order à la carte as you like
  • Tastings. Pay as you go, giving you freedom to choose, and only pay for those tasting

What To Expect

  1. 1

    Waiheke Island

    This route is planned to show you the whole island in six hours. From the 11am ferry we head straight out to Man O’ War for lunch, stopping for views on the way, then work our way back west to finish at Mudbrick. Tell us before your tour what you like to drink and we’ll fine-tune the tastings around you.

    10 minutes

  2. 2
    From Matiatia we drive through Oneroa village to the Palm Beach lookout for your first big view over the Hauraki Gulf, with a short stop for photos, then carry on towards Onetangi.

    20 minutes

  3. 3

    Onetangi

    Onetangi Bay has more than 1.5 km of golden sand, with Aotea Great Barrier and Hauturu Little Barrier Island out on the horizon. Take a quick (20min) stroll along the beach or jump out for photos before we head east along the coast road.

    20 minutes

  4. 4
    From Onetangi we take the scenic coast road east, about 40 minutes through farmland and past bays of outstanding natural beauty, with a stop on the hill overlooking the histrocial Ōwhiti Bay.

    40 minutes

  5. 5

    Man O' War Vineyards

    Man O' War sits on its own bay at the far end of the island, where shared tours don't go. The last stretch is gravel, and our luxury 4WD takes it in comfort. Vines have grown here since 1993, across 150 acres and 76 hillside blocks, and Robert Parker's Wine Advocate calls it "one of New Zealand's greatest wineries in the making". Little ones have a playground, a swing on the beach and rocks to explore. Then settle in for lunch in the restaurant, on the patio or on the tasting-room terrace, right on the bay and framed by pōhutukawa, looking across the water to the Coromandel, with an optional tasting of their Flagship wines to follow.

    1 hour 30 minutes

    Admission: Not Included

  6. 6

    Waiheke Distilling Co

    Next, the Garden Bar at Waiheke Distilling Co, a family distillery above Cowes Bay with one of the best views on the island, across the Hauraki Gulf to the outer islands and the Coromandel. Taste gin made with botanicals including giant kelp from the bay below, and vodka spiced with native horopito. Room for dessert? The chocolate brownie with Red Ruby gin mascarpone cream is hard to pass up. Prefer wine? Tell us before your tour and we'll swap in a tasting at Passage Rock or Jasper Ridge instead.

    40 minutes

    Admission: Not Included

  7. 7
    Unlike most tours, we don't go back the way we came. The loop road home winds through native forest on the quiet south-eastern side of the island, so by the end of the day you've seen Waiheke from every side, with stops for the best photos along the way.

    45 minutes

  8. 8

    Mudbrick Vineyard

    End the day at Mudbrick, in rustic, Italian-inspired gardens looking back across the water to the Auckland skyline. Its restaurant was awarded a Michelin star in the first Michelin Guide New Zealand (2026). Raise a last glass with us, or stay on for sundown drinks and make your own way to the ferry.

    40 minutes

    Admission: Not Included

  9. 9

    Oneroa

    Your tour finishes with a drop-off at Matiatia for the ferry, at your accommodation, or here in Oneroa village if you’d like to stay on for a wander, the shops, Oneroa Beach or dinner at one of the village’s many great restaurants.

    10 minutes

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup available

If requesting pickup, please select your preferred location when booking through Viator.

Pickup details

We meet you at Matiatia Wharf as you step off the ferry (the 10am Fullers or 10:15 Island Direct from downtown Auckland arrive in time for the 11am start), or at your Waiheke accommodation. At the wharf, look for your guide holding a welcome board with your booking name. Coming over on the car ferry to Kennedy Point, or on the Explore ferry to Man O' War Bay? Let us know and we'll meet you there. The tour ends at 5pm wherever you'd like to be dropped on Waiheke. If you we are not picking you up from Waiheke's Matiatia Ferry terminal please be sure to let us know where you are staying. Please visit our website to review our FAQs and check out our Destinations page for an overview of what Waiheke has to offer.

Important Information

Your tour runs on Waiheke Island; 11am–5pm. We meet you off the 10am Fullers or 10:15 Island Direct ferry at Matiatia Wharf, at your Waiheke accommodation, or off the 9:15am Explore ferry at Man O’ War Bay at 10:45am. At the wharf, look for your guide holding a welcome board with your booking name. Travelling with children? Tell us their ages and heights and we’ll arrange car or booster seats, free of charge. Let us know about any dietary needs and we’ll pass them on when we book lunch. We look forward to meeting you and showing you our beautiful island.

Additional Info

  • Specialized infant seats are available
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Car and booster seats provided free on request: tell us your children’s ages and heights when you book
  • Children under 12 travel free, and every child takes a seat (maximum four guests in total)
  • Foldable strollers fit in the back of the 4WD SUV

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.