Piha Waterfalls and Wines
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
3.9/5
Based on 9 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Piha Waterfalls and Wines worth booking?
Piha Waterfalls and Wines is a 5-hour experience in Auckland, New Zealand, from $111 per person. It scores 59 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 3.9/5 rating across 9 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 59 / 100
- Rating
- 3.9/5 (9)
- Duration
- 5 hours
- From
- $111 per person
Want to keep your afternoon free, or have a flight to catch , this shorter morning edition of our full day Piha Waitakere Ranges Wine Tour takes you to see Piha black sand beach settlement and then the tranquil and seren
What you get
About this experience
Want to keep your afternoon free, or have a flight to catch , this shorter morning edition of our full day Piha Waitakere Ranges Wine Tour takes you to see Piha black sand beach settlement and then the tranquil and serene Karekare Waterfalls. Before you are delivered back to the Auckland Sky Tower you will be able to taste wine at Soljans Vineyard in Kumeu. The Soljans Family can boast 5 generations of wine production in Auckland and are still family owned. They produce Methode Traditionelle, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Gewürtztraminer, Pinot Noir, sparkling Muscat, Pinotage and Merlot Cabernet Malbec blends – They also produce a 10 year aged Tawny Port that you will try.
What's included
Included
- Transport
- Professional guide
- Bottled water
- National Park fees
- All Fees and Taxes
Not included
- There is NO food included on this tour
What you'll see and do
Piha Beach
Piha is a seaside coastal settlement, one of several around a 50 minute drive from the Auckland Central Business District. We drive up through the Henderson Valley the historic pioneering heartland of the New Zealand Wine industry where many Croation winemakers settled and started out by harvesting the ancient Kauri Trees for timber and gum, an early export. Piha is famous for its volcanic magnetic black iron sand and is a very popular outpost to visit for locals and tourists alike. Travellers will stop at the Piha Lookout for magnificent views of the Settlement below before driving down and walking on the beach. The coastal Tasman Sea is very dramatic to look at, but also dangerous with rips and large waves and stormy weather conditions in winter. In summer it is a surfers paradise and has held host to the world under 16 surf championships. Enjoy time on both South and North Piha beaches and see the iconic Lion Rock.
60 minutes here · Admission included
Karekare Falls
Karekare is another settlement close to Piha in the Waitakere ranges. The waterfall is one of several beautiful natural falls a 15 minute walk into the rainforest. Within this protected forest, you will see a 500 year old Pohutukawa Tree, a species that New Zealanders colloquially call the native New Zealand Christmas tree, because it only flowers for one month in December. You will will see a broad range of other different native plants and trees including the native flax and unique "Silver Fern" New Zealand's most famous icon. At the foot of the falls there are several Nikau Palms, the world's most southerly growing Antipodean Palm Tree. Most of the pathway leading to the waterfall has been gravelled for safety. Occasionally in the fall you will see ducks and native eels that curiously come to the surface to look at people. The drive in the forest from Piha to Karekare is 20 minutes and the walk from the car park to the falls is 10 mins We spend around 20 mins by the Karekare falls.
20 minutes here · Admission included
Soljans Estate Winery
Soljans Estate is a fifth generation family wine company established in 1937. Pioneers in New Zealand wine making, they produce sparkling Methode Traditionelle, Rose' Wines, Estate barrique fermented Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and a small amount of Pinotage. Their Marlborough grower supplies them with Gewurtztraminer, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir. They produce barrel aged Syrah and Cabernet blends from Hawkes Bay and sweet sparkling Muscat from Gisborne. They also have an enviable reputation for their 10 year Tawny Port aged in giant 3400 litre handmade Totara casks. Soljans also have a souvenir shop and can arrange shipping of any of their wines to your door in Australia, the UK and the United States. You will try a minimum of five wines in the cellar door and Soljans aim to accommodate different palates and preferences on the day.
45 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Auckland
If your hotel is not listed then the meeting point is beside the entrance to Sky City Hotel and Casino which is in the drive-through between Victoria Street and Federal Street. The entrance to the hotel is 10 metres opposite the base of the Auckland Sky Tower.
Hotel pickup
Pickup is available for selected locations. Pickup begins about 15 minutes before departure.
Ends at
If your hotel is not listed then the meeting point is beside the entrance to Sky City Hotel and Casino which is in the drive-through between Victoria Street and Federal Street. The entrance to the hotel is 10 metres opposite the base of the Auckland Sky Tower.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat
- Group size
- Up to 6 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- NZWINEPRO - Auckland Wine Tours
Know before you go
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Minimum drinking age is 18 years
- The total time spent driving in the vehicle for this scenic tour is approximately 3 hours
- Not recommended for clients with knee or hip disabilty
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 9 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
4 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
3 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
2 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Food and drink
2 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Traveler reviews
9 verified traveler reviews for Piha Waterfalls and Wines. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Great combo tour
Driver/ owner / tour guide was amazing. Knew all about the wines as well as the countryside. He managed to provide interesting dialog all the way to the various locations. Has half day 1 winery and full day 2 wineries. Both had excellent wines.
Response from the operator: Hi Donald, Thanks for booking the tour and thanks for the great review. I hope you'll follow NZWINEPRO® on Facebook or Instagram where I post interesting things I come across on tour. Best regards - John McFarlane
via Viator
Do not book with this tour operator
We booked this activity through Viator several weeks in advance. We received confirmation and tickets. We arrived at the pickup location early and messaged the operator to ensure we were in the right location. We did not receive a response. Contacted Viator directly who spoke with the operator wan advised that we had not been out on their calendar. We had one day in Auckland and were left with no tour as everything else was booked. So unprofessional and they didn’t even respond to us. I would give them zero stars if I could. Nothing was offered to compensate for this oversight.
Response from the operator: Hi Pink, We collect from 14 major hotels and cruise ships from the Port. Normally when we receive a booking through Viator we respond to it asking where the client is staying so that we can schedule their pickup in a logical order depending on the number of pickups and their locations around the Auckland central business district The client responds and the booking is confirmed. This is all done through the email intranet or chat system that is part of the Viator booking system. You received an automated E ticket that said "confirmed" but that is not a confirmation from the operator , that's a confirmation that you simply have a ticket. When you buy an Airline ticket you are still required to check in and it's the same with us. In your case, the booking never got put in the calendar so we did not know there was a booking until Viator phoned us which was the first communication we had with you through them. You booked something and never contacted us prior to the departure date and time to confirm or reconfirm that the details on the ticket were correct - which they were not. This has happened before. Sky City Hotel is simply a default location which we have to put in. It's one of the 14 hotels While we accept this mistake was ours, you never reached out once in the communication through the Viator Chat system like most seasoned travellers do well in advance. If you leave contact to the departure time there is a real chance the tour has already departed If you had contacted us in advance you could have been collected directly from your cruise ship like the other travellers that went on the tour that day that communicated with us efficiently. We have a log of the communications with you after the tour had departed, but prior to that we received no telephone call, no messages - nothing. The terrible reviews are all unfortunately clients that did not get to go on tours - and so your review is a reflection of that rather than of the tour itself and I understand you are disappointed. I am personally very sad this occurred and that you missed out on an amazing experience. You received a full refund To anyone reading this I guess the moral of the story is book direct with the operator and don't go though 3rd party on-sellers where communications sometimes fail or don't happen at all. We were supposed to contact you but you could have done a lot more to contact us in the weeks leading up to the tour date. Mellissa Wiles - Tour Co-ordinator
via Tripadvisor
Do not Book with this tour operator
Booked this activity several weeks in advance. We received our confirmation and tickets. We arrived early at the pickup location and messaged the operator to make sure we were in the right location. We received no response. We contacted Viator and were told the operator didn’t put our booking on his calendar! We had one day in Auckland and we were left with no tour as everything else was booked. Very disappointing and so unprofessional that the operator did not even respond. Nothing was offered to compensate for this oversight. I would give zero stars if I could.
Response from the operator: Hi Tommi, We have already responded to your partners 1 star review. We are sorry for this error which was a complex administrative mistake that we acknowledge. Small businesses grow from learning from mistakes and evolving to ensure they are not repeated. We are sorry for the disappointment that you missed your tour. The departure time was brought forward to accommodate the departure of the cruise ship you were on and this should have been communicated to you. Kindest regards Mellissa Wiles - Tour Co-ordinator
via Viator
Considerable Commute Time
We took the half-day Waterfalls and Wine option and while there were nice moments on the tour the majority of the outing was spent traveling in a somewhat cramped van. The pick-ups of participants began at 9-ish, not the tour itself. Then, after 50 minutes of driving there were two stops at nearly identical beaches (20 minutes each), and one 5-minute hike to an attractive waterfall. As a result there was only time to enjoy a single wine tasting. Perhaps we didn't read the fine print closely enough but we anticipated more hiking and wine tasting and less motoring. The all-day tour might have been more satisfying, as Piha IS a beautiful location and it simply takes time to get there and back.
Response from the operator: I'm disappointed in your review which is quite at odds with other reviewers of the same tour. There is no public transport to Piha or Karekare and there are a limited number of tour companies prepared to go there because the roads are so hard on vehicles. You clearly did not read the inclusions which state you would visit black sand beaches at Piha, 2 of them, visit a pretty waterfall after a short walk in the forest at Karekare and taste wine a Soljans Vineyard. It was all in the description, but you make it sound as though if we availed more time there would be time for more wine tasting. You are a dreamer and quite naive and definitely ungrateful. Perhaps you should have booked the longer version that others on the tour paid for, which included lunch and a second winery - But you opted for the shorter and much cheaper edition, so I throw it right back at you. It is quite a drive I concede but there are amazing views and getting to these places is not easy at all. So thanks for your completely average review.
via Tripadvisor
Great guide
It was a great experience, largely because our guide, Jon, was so knowledgeable! This area of the country is magnificent.
Response from the operator: Hi Theresa, Thanks for your great review. I'm so pleased you enjoyed your tour and that the inclusions met with your best expectation. Kind regards - John McFarlane
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat
- Price range
- $111 to $185
- Hotel pickup
- Available for selected locations
- Booked in 30 days
- 3
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 59
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Piha Waterfalls and Wines: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Auckland.
How much does Piha Waterfalls and Wines cost?
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Prices start at $111 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Auckland usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Piha Waterfalls and Wines take?
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Plan for about 5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Auckland is not rushed.
Is Piha Waterfalls and Wines worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 59 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (3.9/5 across 9 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Auckland, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Piha Waterfalls and Wines?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Piha Waterfalls and Wines suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Piha Waterfalls and Wines?
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Around 3 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Auckland can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Auckland and add a light layer if any part of the 5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Piha Waterfalls and Wines start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Auckland within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Auckland?
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On Outty we rank every Auckland experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Hobbiton & Waitomo Caves Guided Day Trip from Auckland incl lunch, Hobbiton Movie Set Small Group Tour with Cheeky Kiwi Travel, Hobbiton & Waitomo Glowworm Caves Tour with Lunch from Auckland. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Auckland?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Auckland?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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