Waiheke Island (wineries)

Matiatia Wharf, Waiheke Island

Forty minutes by ferry to vineyards over the sea

Hours

Ferries weekdays 6am–11:45pm, weekends and holidays from 7am; winery hours vary

Tickets

Island free. Fullers360 adult return NZ$65 standard, NZ$48.50 off-peak, NZ$75 priority. Wine tours extra

Address

Matiatia Wharf where the ferry lands; Oneroa village is about 15 minutes' walk

Off the ferry, the hills are striped with vines and every winery terrace seems to look down on the sea. A few cellar doors are walkable from the wharf; the rest you reach by island bus or on a wine tour. Oneroa's beachside strip of galleries and cafés fills an afternoon even if you skip the wine. Aucklanders pour over at weekends, so go on a weekday if you can.