Tour highlights

  • The Eastern Explorer Bus operates Wednesday to Sunday. 

  • Experience 7 unique destinations with 11 stops on a 105-minute loop, including some iconic locations. We recommend or require advance bookings for experiences and dining, depending on the venue. Find out more in the ‘The Venues’ section.

  • Book your Eastern Explorer Bus online as seating is limited. Buses run frequently, the first bus meets the 9am ferry from downtown Auckland. 

  • For added certainty, choose the Waiheke Reserve bookable service, or alternatively travel on the Waiheke Walk-up ferry, arriving at least 60 minutes prior to your preferred sailing during busy summer periods. 

  • Head to Auckland’s Downtown Ferry Terminal and board either your Fullers360 Waiheke Walk-up ferry from piers 11 and 12

  • Upon arrival, exit Waiheke Island’s Matiatia Ferry Terminal and catch either the Eastern Explorer Bus or the Eastern Explorer private coach as depend on your ticket type. Look out for one of our friendly wharf ambassadors to help guide you to the correct bus. The buses depart directly in front of the terminal.

  • Hop off and explore the destinations along the way while enjoying a scenic tour. The complete loop takes 110-minutes. 

  • Head back to the Matiatia Ferry Terminal and board either your Fullers360 Waiheke Walk-up ferry from pier 1 or Fullers360 Waiheke Reserve ferry from pier 3.

Tour price

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Timetable

Make the most of your island adventure on Waiheke’s eastern end with the Eastern Explorer Bus timetable.

Eastern Explorer timetable
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Track your bus

Track your Eastern Explorer Bus! Easily locate the nearest bus and enjoy a seamless travel across Waiheke Island.

Learn more
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Venue Directory

With a blend of dramatic views, adventurous tastes, and rich history all packaged into a unique experience.

Venue opening hours

The venues

Perched on the ridge above Cowes Bay, Waiheke Distilling Co. is home to some of the best views on the island. Specialising in premium, small-batch craft spirits, sample their unique botanical blends in the tasting room before enjoying cocktails and grazing plates in the garden, overlooking the Coromandel Peninsula.

Experiences we recommend:  

Sip & Savour Lunch Package – $55 per person (minimum two people)
Enjoy a tasting experience featuring Waiheke Distilling Co’s signature spirits board, followed by your choice of a crafted gin & tonic or vodka soda. Share a delicious Napoli-style pizza and a fresh seasonal salad. Not available on long weekends or public holidays.

Bookings strongly recommended. Learn more here: https://waihekedistilling.co.nz/ 

It is strongly recommended that you make venue bookings directly with each venue. Fullers360 provides the transport; venue reservations are the customer’s responsibility. Allow travel time between venues and your return ferry. 

Terms and conditions - Eastern Explorer Bus

All experiences and tours are subject to Fullers360 Terms and Conditions and Code of Conduct. 

Bus schedule

Buses depart from Matiatia Ferry Terminal at regular intervals throughout the day. Please refer to the timetable for a complete schedule.

Bookings and capacity 

Bus bookings from Matiatia, Oneroa, or Onetangi are capacity-managed for each timetabled service and are subject to availability at time of booking. 

Each bus has a maximum capacity of 38 passengers per hour. 

A valid wristband, issued at the time of travel, is required to board all Fullers360 Eastern Explorer bus services on the day of travel. 

Ferry and bus packages

Customers booking a Fullers360 ferry and Eastern Explorer bus package must account for the 40-minute ferry travel time when selecting their bus departure. It is the customer’s responsibility to ensure they arrive at the Eastern Explorer bus stop at least 2 minutes prior to their scheduled departure time. 

  • Waiheke Walk-up ferry: 

Frequent, on-demand walk-up sailings. 

Ferry tickets are valid for any scheduled sailing up to 12 months from the date of purchase. Please note that the Eastern Explorer Bus ticket is only valid for the date and time printed on the ticket.  

During the busy summer period, please arrive at least 60 minutes before your preferred departure time. Upgrades to Waiheke Reserve tickets are possible at any of Fullers360 ticket offices.  

  • Waiheke Reserve ferry: 

All departure times and dates must be booked in advance. Boarding opens 15 minutes before the scheduled departure. Enjoy the convenience and reliability of a pre-booked service with confirmed departure and arrival times. 

Return bus journey 

Return trips to Matiatia are offered on a first-come, first-served basis and are subject to bus capacity. 

If a return bus is full, customers may need to wait for the next available departure. 

A bus tracking service is available, allowing customers to view the location of Explorer buses on the route. 

Venue bookings 

Customers are responsible for making venue bookings (e.g., wineries, restaurants) directly with the venue. 

Allow sufficient travel time between venues to meet your bookings. 

Plan all venue visits according to the bus timetable and your return ferry schedule. 

Fullers360 is not liable for missed venue bookings due to missed connections or delays. 

Missed connections 

If you miss your outbound bus departure from Matiatia Ferry Terminal, an alternative time may be offered, subject to available capacity.

If capacity is unavailable, you may be offered a Western Explorer daily pass for same-day travel. 

Tickets are non-refundable for missed connections, in accordance with Fullers360’s general conditions of travel. 

Timetable changes

Any changes to the timetable will be communicated by the bus driver on the day of travel. 

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