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Waiheke Island's recommended spots not listed in guidebooks - Whisky and Gin Edition -

Writer's picture: Megumi HachisukaMegumi Hachisuka

When you think of Waiheke Island, wine and wineries come to mind. You can find a lot of information about wineries on the Internet or in guidebooks. However, having lived on the island for over five years, I really want to recommend more than just wine. I'd like to introduce two of my favorite hidden spots that you should definitely visit when you come to Waiheke Island: a sophisticated and casual restaurant that everyone from the elderly to those with children can enjoy, a recently opened beer and whiskey distillery, and a gin distillery where you can enjoy cocktails with a spectacular view that I think is no exaggeration to say is the best on Waiheke Island!




01,THE HEKE Kitchen, Brewery &Distillery





THE HEKE in the Onetangi area. This casual restaurant is enjoyable even for those who feel that lunch at a winery is a little intimidating. There is something like a trampoline for children to play on, so it is also fun to bring children. The lunch menu is a variety of items that can be shared, from Waiheke Te Matuku oysters to oven-baked pizza, burgers, and main plates. Many of the staff are very friendly and enjoy their work. They also make craft beer, so a toast with a smooth HEKE lager would be nice. And the most attractive thing about this place is the whiskey!

The new whiskey distillery next door to the restaurant features a whiskey aroma room filled with beautifully displayed whiskey barrels, as well as a bar and tasting room where you can view the stills.



You can taste the whiskey made here along with the aroma of the barrels that whiskey lovers will love. HEKE's whiskey, which has won many awards, is made by the owner, Mark, who is a dermatologist and loves Japan and has been there many times, and he was a very friendly and wonderful person who served us. I don't drink whiskey very often, but my friends who love whiskey highly praised the whiskey here. You can enjoy the unique and original delicious whiskey of Waiheke Island, from basic malt whiskey that you can drink every day, to whiskey aged in peat malt and Chardonnay barrels that you want to open on special days, and whiskey made with honey and rye. If you like whiskey, please go! Of course, if you contact me in advance, I can incorporate it into my tour, so please feel free to contact me.






02.Waiheke Distilling Co


A gin distillery that just opened in 2021 after the end of COVID-19. This is one of my favorite spots on Waiheke Island. If you hear that it's a gin distillery, you might think that you have to be a gin lover to enjoy it. It's okay even if you don't drink gin, the best thing about this place is that it's a special place with a spectacular view from Cows Bay, which is located quite high on the island.




The exceptional taste of a gin and tonic enjoyed with a spectacular 180-degree view of the Hauraki Gulf in the South Pacific is a truly luxurious experience.

The craft gin here is also of high quality and has won awards. It was really delicious, and I fell in love with gin after drinking Spirit of Waiheke gin here. Now you can enjoy not only gin, but also vodka made from Kawakawa, a native tree of New Zealand.






Highly recommended for girls' trips. I've been there many times with friends, and no matter how many times I go, the cocktails with this beautiful view are exceptional. You need a car to get there, so I'd love to take you on one of my tours! I'm sure it will be a wonderful memory.


These are the recommended spots on Waiheke Island selected by Megumi, a private tour guide on Waiheke Island that are not listed in guidebooks.

Let's make unforgettable memories together on Waiheke Island! We look forward to hearing from you :)


Waiheke Prime Tour

Megumi Hachisuka

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ABOUT US

About Us

Waiheke Prime Tours offers unique tours of Waiheke Island with a Japanese guide who lives on the island. I've been living here for over five years, and the more I get to know it, the more I'm fascinated by this very special place. I wanted to share the greatness of this island with more and more Japanese people - that's why I started this Waiheke Island tour. Most people only explore the Oneroa area on a half-day trip and then return to Auckland. It's a shame! Through our tours, we'll show you more of the island's charm. We'll introduce you to beautiful beaches, vineyards, wine tasting, delicious lunches and dinners, and stylish local souvenir shops, so that you can have unforgettable memories - and we aim to deepen the connection between Waiheke Island and Japan.

Representative: Megumi Hachisuka

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