Waiheke & Stony Batter Tunnel Tour

The Waiheke Tunnels & Island Tour is a fantastic day out and a great way to see the best of the island. Included is an exciting Tunnel Tour of the recently restored WWII Coastal Defence Fortress located at the Eastern end of Waiheke Island. The walk to Stony Batter Fort takes about 15-20 mins and the underworld tour approximately 1 hr and is suitable for people with a good general level of fitness. Please make sure you have sun protection including a hat and comfortable footwear.

What’s included

• Luxury 4WD with air conditioning
• Local guide/driver
• Refreshments – drinking water
• Tours do not include the cost of Tunnel Tour, lunch or wine tasting.
• Duration 5 hours 10 am – 3 pm (other times can be arranged)

Matiatia Wharf / Accommodation – 10:00 am

Your Waiheke Tunnels and Island Tour will start at Matiatia Wharf when you disembark from the ferry or we can pick up from your Waiheke holiday accommodation if you wish. After a short drive through Oneroa village, we head to Onetangi and then start the climb towards the eastern side of the island. The drive towards Stony Batter is spectacular and you will have plenty of time to stop and take in the view of the Gulf Islands and beyond to the Coromandel Peninsula.

Waiheke Tunnels Tour & Historic Reserve

Located at the far north-east of the island, Stony Batter is the site of a WWII defence installation and scenic reserve featuring huge volcanic boulders deposited over the landscape. The walk to the gun emplacements passes rocky outcrops, native tree forests and amazing views of Great Barrier Island and the Coromandel.

A Heritage 1 listed building of National Significance – the complex comprises 1.2km’s of subterranean passages, chambers and stairwells all tunnelled by hand. The fortress was designed to take direct enemy bombardment and is in a very high state of preservation.

Your Waiheke Tunnels guide will explain the purpose and construction process, take you safely through the large Magazine chambers, ascend to Gun Turrets, descend the Grand Staircase 42m below the forest to a section of tunnel 400m long;  into the massive vaulted Engine Room and associated Operations Rooms (HQ); exiting to an enchanted ancient forest.

The walk to Stony Batter Fort takes about 15-20 mins and the underworld tour approximately 1 hr and is suitable for people with a good general level of fitness. Please make sure you have sun protection including a hat and walking footwear.

VOLCANIC BOULDERS AT STONY BATTER

Next, we drive south to the beautiful Man O’War Bay where you can take a walk along the lovely beach looking towards Pakatoa and Rotoroa Islands.

LUNCH – Man O’War Bay Winery Tasting Room

Man O’War winery tasting room is set back from the beach in beautiful shaded surroundings and offers a range of food and wine tasting experiences. Established in 1993, Man O’ War consists of 150 acres of vines planted in 76 individual hillside blocks. Man O’War’s superb wines include Syrah, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay.

We will spend an hour or so here for lunch and wine tasting is also available if you wish. Their menu includes delicious sharing platters and pizzas that can be enjoyed on the lawn area whilst soaking up the views over the bay to the Coromandel coastline surrounded by Pohutakawa trees.
www.manowar.co.nz

MAN O’WAR TASTING ROOM

From Man O’War Bay we head back across the island to Onetangi. This drive follows the steep gravel road along the winding south coast with spectacular views across Awakiriapa Bay, Cowes Bay and Te Matuku Bay on the left with beautiful green valleys and farmland on the right.

Onetangi Beach

No visit to Waiheke would be complete without a visit to one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. With views of Great Barrier and Little Barrier Island in the distance, Onetangi Bay has over 1.5 km of beautiful golden sand.

ONETANGI BEACH

* Please note that due to variations in opening hours, alternative vineyards or restaurants may be used depending on the day of the tour. Please contact us if you have any questions.