Tour highlights
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The Eastern Explorer Bus operates Wednesday to Sunday.
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Experience 5 stops on a 110-minute loop, including iconic destinations Stony Batter Tunnels, Man O’ War Vineyards, Waiheke Distilling Co., Passage Rock Wines and Awaroa Organic Winery.
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Book your Eastern Explorer Hop-On Hop-Off bus online as seating is limited. Buses run hourly, the first bus meets the 9am ferry from downtown Auckland.
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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.
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Head to Auckland’s Downtown Ferry Terminal and board either your Fullers360 Waiheke Walk-up ferry from piers 11 and 12 or your Fullers360 Waiheke Reserve ferry from piers 13 and 14 to Waiheke Island.
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Upon arrival, exit Waiheke Island’s Matiatia Ferry Terminal and catch the Eastern Explorer Hop-On Hop-Off Bus. The buses depart directly in front of the terminal.
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Take a scenic 45-minute bus tour to the eastern part of the island, filled with stunning views and commentary from your driver.
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Hop off and explore the destinations along the way while enjoying a scenic tour. The complete loop takes 110-minutes.
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Head back to the Matiatia Ferry Terminal and board either your Fullers360 Waiheke Walk-up ferry from pier 1 or your Fullers360 Waiheke Reserve ferry from pier 3 to downtown Auckland.
Tour Price
Includes return ferry and an Eastern Explorer bus pass.
Eastern Explorer Hop-On Hop-Off Bus and Waiheke Reserve ferry - Adult ($130.00)
Eastern Explorer Hop-On Hop-Off Bus and Waiheke Reserve ferry - Child ($116.00)
Eastern Explorer Hop-On Hop-Off Bus and Waiheke Reserve ferry - Infant ($0.00)
Eastern Explorer Hop-On Hop-Off Bus and Waiheke Walk-up ferry - Adult ($94.00)
Eastern Explorer Hop-On Hop-Off Bus and Waiheke Walk-up ferry - Child ($48.00)
Eastern Explorer Hop-On Hop-Off Bus - Infant ($0.00)
Plan your trip
Waiheke ferry timetable
Plan your trip to Waiheke with frequent, convenient, and reliable daily sailings. Choose between the Waiheke Reserve and Waiheke Walk-up ferries.
View the brochure
Planning your itinerary on the island? Learn more about the iconic stops on the Eastern Explorer tour.
Explorer Bus timetable
Use the Explorer Bus timetable to make the most of your island adventure on Waiheke's untapped east.
The venues
Explore the unique underworld of Fort Stony Batter, taking you back in time through 1.2km’s of subterranean WWII tunnels. Built in the 1940s, the site features an extensive network of underground tunnels, gun emplacements, and observation posts. Explore the tunnels and learn about their history while enjoying the surrounding scenic reserve, known for its distinctive volcanic rock formations and panoramic views. Please note a moderate level of fitness is recommended. There is a 1km walk across easy farm terrain to the entrance, walking shoes recommended.
Experiences we recommend:
- Guided Bunker Highlight and Art tour
Duration: 30 minutes
Visiting magazines, gun turrets, 200 metres of tunnels arriving at the subterranean art galleries and concert chamber. This tour is designed as a leisurely adventure for all levels of fitness and ages.
- Guided Heritage tour
Duration: 50 minutes
Taking in the Bunker tour then descending a further seven stories below ground to the Underworld, the deepest no. 3 passage, engine room, command bunker, exiting into a first growth forest and a gentle return walk.
Please note:
Tours depart every half hour, fully guided, tickets purchased from the onsite visitors centre – advance bookings are not necessary.
Learn more and book here: https://www.stonybattertunnels.nz/
With iconic wines, a breath-taking coastline, picturesque vineyards, and warm hospitality, Man O’War offers a seamless blend of nature and indulgence for an unforgettable Waiheke escape. Enjoy wine flights or a leisurely lunch at their beachfront tasting room and restaurant.
Learn more and book here: https://www.manowar.co.nz/
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:
Let The Fun Be-Gin! - $55 per person (minimum two people)
Enjoy a tasting board, a gin and tonic or vodka soda of your choice, a sharing pizza and seasonal salad.
Learn more and book here: https://waihekedistilling.co.nz/
Nestled between the hills and the eastern shores of Waiheke, Passage Rock is the island’s most awarded winery. Renowned for their exceptional Syrah and other fine wines, guests can taste the Passage Rock range, followed by lunch at the vineyard restaurant, where locally inspired dishes celebrate the island’s finest seasonal produce.
Experiences we recommend:
Wine tasting - $22
Savour four wines, including two of our premium reserve selections.
Wine tasting with appetizer plate - $50
Enjoy four wines, including two reserve selections, paired with a tasting plate.
Three-course set menu with bread - $75
Begin with freshly baked bread, followed by a delectable three-course meal crafted by our chefs
Please note:
For the three-course set menu, guests must be seated by 3pm.
Learn more and book here: https://passagerock.co.nz/
Awaroa Vineyard is an award-winning organic boutique winery. Focused on sustainable practices and small-batch production, Awaroa offers a range of premium wines in a beautiful garden setting, along with delicious antipasto platters. Visitors can enjoy intimate wine tastings, learn about the winemaking process, and immerse themselves in the natural beauty of the island.
Learn more and book here: https://www.awaroa.co.nz/
Explore more
Terms and conditions - Eastern Explorer Hop-On Hop-Off bus
All experiences and tours are subject to Fullers360 terms and conditions and code of conduct.
Bus schedule
Outbound: Buses depart from Matiatia Ferry Terminal every 60 minutes between 9:55 am and 1:55 pm, then every 30 minutes between 2:25 pm and 2:55 pm.
Return: Buses from the eastern end operate every 60 minutes, with additional 30-minute frequency starting from 3:00 pm. The last bus arrives at Matiatia at 6.25pm
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 scheduled outbound bus departure, 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.
