A Taste of Auckland – City and Wine Tour

A Taste of Auckland – City and wine tour

Spend the morning exploring Auckland city on a small group tour and then in the afternoon enjoy a wine tour which includes a vineyard lunch, tastings at 3 locations and a visit to the dramatic scenery of Auckland’s west coast.

After we pick you up from your city accommodation we travel up the main shopping area of Queen St, past Auckland University and through Auckland’s historic areas and into the city park known as The Domain where there are some great photo opportunities. We continue on through the picturesque suburb of Ponsonby, known for its historic buildings, before heading over the Harbour Bridge to the North Shore.

You get the chance to stroll on Narrow Neck Beach near historic Devonport before continuing up to the summit of Takarunga (Mt Victoria) where there are stunning panoramic views of Auckland city and the Waitematā Harbour. Then travel back over the Harbour Bridge to Westhaven Marina, the largest marina in the Southern Hemisphere.

In the afternoon we take a short (20 minute) drive to get to Kumeu Wine Country – Auckland’s Heritage Wine Region. Enjoy lunch at a contemporary vineyard restaurant, sample world renowned wines at 3 vineyards and visit the rugged cliffs and surf at the nearby Muriwai Beach.

Your first stop is at Soljans Vineyard. They have won many awards for their wide varieties of wines and has been owned and run by the Soljan family since 1937. Enjoy lunch and a wine tasting at Soljans Winery restaurant. The restaurant serves a seasonal menu showcasing delicious fresh produce from around the region.

Our next stop is at Kumeu River Winery. Set up by the Brajkovich family in the 1940’s all of their grapes are hand harvested and the winery is still run by the family (Michael Brajkovich was New Zealand’s first Master of Wine!). Kumeu River are world famous for their Chardonnay and also produce a range of other wines.

Our third wine tasting stop is either Hunting Lodge or Vineyard Cottages, depending on availability:

Nestled in the heart of Waimauku, Hunting Lodge Vineyard offers a relaxed yet refined wine experience, where sustainable practices and modern winemaking meet a rich family heritage. Guests can enjoy a curated tasting of elegant, cool-climate wines while taking in the scenic surroundings of rolling vines and native bush. It’s a perfect stop to unwind, learn about local winemaking, and savour the character of New Zealand’s unique terroir.

Or

Visit Vineyard Cottages where you will taste a hand-picked selection of local varietals, from elegant Chardonnay and characterful Pinot Gris to rich reds and vibrant rosé. This relaxed, hosted tasting is designed to connect you with the stories, flavours and personalities behind the wines. Sip slowly, ask questions, compare styles and discover why this small but mighty region continues to surprise and delight wine lovers from around the world.

During the afternoon we also visit one of the region’s special places where (from September to mid April) you have the chance to see one of the world’s largest seabirds in their natural environment. Your journey 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 behaviour without disturbing their environment. The views extend for miles along the wild, black sand beach of Muriwai.

This full day Auckland tour including both a city tour and a wine tour is a great introduction to the region.

“I’ve used day tour companies all over the planet – and Bush and Beach was really the best!” Trip Advisor review

Tour code BB8 – $400 per adult

When you book on line you have the option to contribute to our sustainability commitment by donating $5 which will get a native tree planted on your behalf. We are working with Trees That Count and their community-based planting projects to donate native trees to be planted in Auckland. (Bush and Beach will match your donation, which means every $5 donation from you equals a native tree planted in Auckland.)