Waiheke Island Wine Tours on a Campervan Trip: Leave the Van Behind

Quick summary: Waiheke Island is Auckland’s island of vineyards, beaches and olive groves, a short ferry ride across the Hauraki Gulf. For campervan and motorhome travellers, the best way to visit is without the vehicle: park in Auckland, take the passenger ferry from the city centre, and explore the wineries on a tour or the island’s buses. A vehicle ferry does run, but the island’s roads are narrow and hilly, camping is very limited, and you’ll want to taste without driving.

At a glance
Where	In the Hauraki Gulf, east of Auckland city
Getting there	Passenger ferry from downtown Auckland, around 40 minutes
Vehicle ferry	Runs from the eastern suburbs, but rarely worth it for a campervan
Signature wines	Syrah, Bordeaux-style blends, Chardonnay
Best way to taste	A wine tour or hop-on, hop-off bus from the ferry terminal
Tours	Waiheke Island wine tours

Compare campervan and motorhome hire in Auckland

Why is Waiheke worth a day on a campervan trip?

Because it combines some of New Zealand’s most beautiful vineyard settings with white-sand beaches, olive groves, art galleries and views across the Hauraki Gulf to the city skyline. The island’s warm, dry climate suits red wines such as Syrah and Bordeaux-style blends, and many wineries have restaurants with sweeping sea views. It’s a perfect day off from driving, either before you collect the vehicle or at the end of the trip.

Should you take a campervan to Waiheke Island?

Usually not. A vehicle ferry does cross from Auckland’s eastern suburbs, but for most campervan travellers the passenger ferry is the better choice:

• The roads are narrow, steep and winding, with tight corners and limited parking at wineries.
• Camping options are very limited on the island.
• You’ll want to taste, so you won’t be driving between wineries anyway.
• The passenger ferry is quick and frequent, leaving from the heart of the city.

How do you visit Waiheke without the vehicle?

1. Park the campervan at an Auckland holiday park, or visit Waiheke before you collect the vehicle or after you return it.
2. Take the passenger ferry from downtown Auckland to Matiatia, around 40 minutes.
3. Join a wine tour from the ferry terminal, or use the hop-on, hop-off bus or local buses between wineries and beaches.
4. Return on an evening ferry to the city.

Browse Waiheke Island wine tours, which often include the ferry, tastings at several wineries and lunch.

When does the RV pickup schedule suit a Waiheke day?

The easiest moment is before you collect the vehicle, when you’re staying in the city and have no campervan to park. Spend a day on Waiheke, then collect the campervan the next morning. The end of the trip works too: return the vehicle, stay in the city, and visit the island before you fly home. See our guide to picking up in Auckland.

What else is there to do on Waiheke?

• Beaches, including Oneroa, Palm Beach and the long sweep of Onetangi.
• Walks along the coastal track and through bush reserves.
• Olive groves and food producers, with tastings of oil and local produce.
• Art galleries and a sculpture trail on the clifftops.
• Zip lines through the native forest canopy.

Where should you stay?

• In Auckland city before or after your hire, close to the ferry terminal.
• At an Auckland holiday park during the hire, with public transport or a taxi to the ferry.
• On the island itself, accommodation is mostly in lodges, B&Bs and holiday homes rather than campgrounds.

What should you know before you go?

• Book tours and vineyard restaurants ahead, especially on summer weekends.
• Check ferry times for the last sailing back to the city.
• Allow a whole day to enjoy the island without rushing.

For the rest of Auckland’s wine country, see our Auckland wine country guide.

Compare campervan and motorhome hire in Auckland

Frequently Asked Questions