Top North Island Wine, Beer & Spirits

Discover the wines of Waiheke on a day trip from Auckland with a small-group tour that visits boutique vineyards. It’s easy to hop a morning ferry and cross the Hauraki Gulf for the short ride to the island. Your guide meets you upon arrival and shares lively commentary as you head to local vineyards for tastings. Afterward, choose to have lunch in Oneroa with a transfer to the ferry, or stay longer and make your own way back to the ferry. Ferry tickets are excluded.

The Hawke's Bay wine region produces some of New Zealand’s most renowned wines, and is also beloved for its beers and ciders. This afternoon small-group tour lets you sample all three plus enjoy lunch during visits to some of New Zealand’s best tasting spots. Enjoy it all in a group of no more than 15 people, ensuring you get your fair share of your guide’s attention. Hotel and port pickup within Napier is included for added convenience.

Hawke’s Bay is one of New Zealand's premier wine regions—experience the best of it during a stress-free guided tour to four premium wineries, including Mission Estate and Trinity Hill. Taste a wide range of local wines, learn about winemaking, and visit New Zealand's oldest winery. This small-group tour includes all tastings and pizza for lunch, with hotel pickup and drop-off for added convenience.

Embark on a day of good food and wine on Waiheke Island with a package that includes a round-trip ferry ride across the Hauraki Gulf from Auckland, wine tasting and lunch, and a hop-on hop-off bus pass for semi-independent exploration. Visit local vineyards and other bus stops, and admire the beautiful views of the island and back across the water to Auckland. An easy way to get out of Auckland.

An hour or so north of Wellington, Martinborough is fast making a name for itself as one of the Southern Hemisphere’s leading wine regions. Each weekend, Wellingtonians make the trek over the Remutakas to escape to this European-style wine village. This small group tour is a convenient way to visit Martinborough. There’s no need to stress about driving on country backroads, and no need to plan the day’s itinerary - leaving you to focus on the wine and the iconic scenery.

Cover more ground without the hassle of navigating unfamiliar roads on your own and visit four Napier wineries on this half-day Hawke’s Bay tour. Explore New Zealand food and wine, enjoying tastings at each destination, as you visit the largest wine-producing region in the North Island. Tour with a small group for more personal service and learn about the local wine history and production from your guide.

Join Prinsy’s for a relaxed half-day trip through beautiful scenery when touring the Hawke’s Bay’s wineries when you join our tour with hotel pickup. Sample wines at up to four internationally recognised wineries, enjoy a complimentary cheeseboard, and learn to translate winemaking jargon into plain English. This half-day tour offers a personal experience with a small group of travelers, leaving you free to enjoy the region’s celebrated wines without planning hassles.

Enjoy one of New Zealand’s original tourist attractions: a tour of the magnificent Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Your guide—who may be descended from the Māori chief who first discovered the caves—leads you underground and tells you about the cultural significance of this site. Hop into a boat and glide on an underground river, enjoying the light show put on by millions of tiny bioluminescent insects hanging above.

Discover the wines and scenery of Waiheke Island on a half-day wine tour from Auckland. Hop the morning ferry (own expense) to join your guide and hear insightful commentary about the island and winemakers as you travel to different vineyards for included tastings. You have the option to purchase lunch at one of the stops, and you can either remain on the island at the end of the tour or return to Auckland by ferry.

Step into Peter Jackson's Middle-earth with this guided group tour of the Hobbiton™ Movie Set from 'The Lord of the Rings' film trilogy. Learn more about the movies than you ever would by exploring by yourself with the help of your local guide. And with a shuttle service at your disposal, you enjoy a truly seamless Matamata experience.

Visit two of New Zealand's must-see attractions on this combo tour from Auckland to the Hobbiton™ Movie Set and Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Peek into Hobbit holes, frolic in the Shire, and get a drink at the Green Dragon Inn on a guided tour of Middle-earth, followed by a café lunch. In the afternoon, explore Māori myths and history on an underground boat ride at Waitomo, surrounded by thousands of glowworms.

Indulge in the succulent tastes of Waiheke Island on a half-day food and wine tour. A guide picks you up from the wharf and takes you to boutique wineries. Taste wine accompanied by locally produced specialties such as olive oil, oysters, and artisan cheese. Then settle in for a platter lunch at a vineyard restaurant. Linger on Waiheke and take the ferry back to Auckland whenever you like.

Sample local wine and produce on a Waiheke Island wineries tour. Ferry tickets are included for easy access from downtown Auckland. Visit three vineyards to taste artisan wines and enjoy a 2-course lunch at one winery restaurant. Stop at an olive grove for local olive-oil tastings. This tour offers a relaxed pace on Waiheke Island's renowned wine route.

Make the most of a short time on land as your cruise docks in Napier on a half-day shore excursion that includes two of the city’s highlights: Art Deco architecture and wine. Take a tour of the city’s celebrated Art Deco buildings and learn about the earth-shaking history that led to it. Visit a top winery in the North Island’s largest wine-producing region and sample some of its finest wines.

Sample several of Waiheke Island’s award-winning wines at vineyards across the island before stopping for a gourmet meal at a beachfront restaurant on this half-day tour of the island. Gaze out over the Hauraki Gulf while you dine and then continue your tour, setting off to taste yet more wine.

Escape the city and discover a more relaxed side of Waiheke Island on this premium afternoon wine experience. Hosted by a passionate local guide, enjoy boutique wine tastings at three handpicked vineyards, breathtaking coastal scenery, and insider stories that bring the island to life. Indulge in a delicious lunch at Ki Maha, crafted with fresh local ingredients and paired with a glass of wine overlooking Onetangi Beach. Perfect for couples, friends, and solo travellers seeking an authentic, elevated Waiheke experience at a leisurely pace, with exceptional hospitality and unforgettable island moments you'll treasure long after returning home with smiles.

Enjoy a magical 6-6.5 hour tour to the Hobbiton Movie set, used for The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit film series, which has made NZ famous. Leaving the port, we first travel past the stunning beaches of Mount Maunganui, a top NZ holiday destination, across the harbor bridge and into the country, over the Kaimai mountain ranges, into the lush farming district of the Waikato, the location of Hobbiton. At Hobbiton you can visit the Shires Rest Cafe, browse the souvenir shop or just take in the stunning views before joining the 2.5 hour guided tour, explore inside a Hobbit home and finish at The Green Dragon Pub with a complimentary Ale. As Cruise ship arrival times varies so much, we adjust the start time to suit, which we confirm to you when your booking is accepted, always having you back at the ship in good time for its departure. Please see the Additional Info section for details of our cancellation policy should the ship cancel its port of call within 24 hours of arrival.

Step back in time on our Hawke’s Bay Historic Wineries Tour. Visit Mission Estate, NZ’s oldest winery, founded by French missionaries in 1851, and taste elegant wines while exploring the beautifully preserved building and cellar. Drive through historic Taradale, lined with charming villas and early settler cottages that tell the story of Hawke’s Bay’s wine pioneers. Next, we will visit Church Road Winery, est in 1897 by Tom McDonald, father of NZ’s fine reds. To finish, we’ll take you up to Bluff Hill Lookout for sweeping views over Napier Port, the Pacific Ocean, and Napier’s Art Deco skyline. Experience the heritage in every glass! - Visit Mission Estate, NZ’s oldest winery - Explore historic cellars and buildings - Guided tastings of premium Hawke’s Bay wines - Learn the region’s winemaking history - Travel through scenic countryside - Expert guide offering rich historical context * To request Alternative start times or tour customisations - Book on our Mates Travel website.

Take a break from busy Auckland and head to the countryside for a wine-tasting tour in Kumeu. Enjoy hotel pickup and relax without having to self-drive through the city or countryside. Visit several top wineries where you can sample wine over a lunch of pizza and charcuterie. After, visit the Muriwai gannet colony beside the black-sand beach to learn more about the amazing birds and this rugged stretch of coastline.

Enjoy a great day out in and around the charming Art Deco city of Napier with this small-group beer, wine, cider, and gin tour. Visit a range of locations in and around the city, allowing you to try a wide variety of alcoholic beverages. Tea and coffee can also be provided for those who don’t drink alcohol. Hotel pickup and drop-off within Napier are included for your convenience.

Discover Waiheke Island's wine scene on a small-group tour starting at Matiatia Ferry Terminal. Visit Oneroa Village for coffee, then explore family-owned boutique wineries off the beaten path along native bush-lined roads. Taste up to 15 premium handcrafted wines from sustainable vineyards, enjoy lunch options, and experience the island's authentic charm in a relaxed setting.

Kumeu Wine Country is one of New Zealand’s oldest wine regions and lies just a 30-minute drive from Auckland. On this small-group tour, visit three family-run wineries in the Kumeu region; sample a variety of red, white, or rosé wines during guided wine tastings; and enjoy a delicious lunch of seasonal cuisine and regional wines.

Cycle through the countryside of Hawke’s Bay on a self-guided e-bike tour that's ideal for cruise ship passengers stopping in Napier. Riding an electric bike helps you cover more miles using less energy, while this self-guided option lets you explore at your own pace. You can choose from two routes of different lengths, but whichever trail you take, you can guarantee stunning views of the Pacific Ocean, rivers, and orchards as you pedal on a dedicated cycle path.