The World’s 4 Best New Zealand Whisky Tours

1.Waiheke: Scenic Taste and Graze Tour with Wine, Whisky, Beer

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 60 reviews · 5 hours · from $238Our pick

Spend five hours touring Waiheke from Matiatia Ferry Terminal with a local guide such as Sylvia, Kevin, Karen, or Shirley. Taste wine at Mudbrick, beer or spirits at The Heke, enjoy a platter and wine at a vineyard, then sample olive oil and honey. Expect scenic drives, small groups, and plenty of food.

“Kevin met our group from the Waiheke Ferry and off we went in a air conditioned van through the island, visiting 2 wineries - one with a hearty lunch platter, a distillery, and an olive oil business. Kevin was a great driver, good kiwi sense of humour, and a local with full of information about the island. The spots we were taken to were picturesque. Getting to the island was fully described in the pre departure information. I highly recommend this tour if you are looking for a wine tasting experience! Thanks Kevin and this company for a great day!”

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2.Waiheke Island: Taste&Graze Whisky Cellar Tour, Food, Olive Oil

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 28 reviews · from $266Top rated

Meet guide Kaz or Grant at Waiheke’s Matiatia Wharf at 9:40 a.m. for a five-hour tasting tour with a group of up to 10. Visit Mudbrick, The Heke, Batch Winery, and an olive oil grove, with private island transport, tastings, food pairings, and excellent Auckland Harbour views. Ferry tickets cost extra, and the day is for adults only.

“My Husband agreed to a wine tour for our Honeymoon even though he doesn’t drink wine, or any alcohol really. He loved the tour guide with intricate local knowledge and the food pairings were amazing. By the second stop he had not only bRead more”

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3.Shackleton Glacier Whiskey Endurance – 50mins

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews · from $434

Fly with Glacier Country Helicopters over Franz Josef, Tasman and Shackleton Glaciers, Mount Cook and Mount Tasman. After a 35-minute scenic flight, land for 15 minutes on remote Shackleton Glacier snow, take photos, and sample Shackleton Whiskey with glacial ice. Gus, Poppy, or another local commercial pilot operates the flight.

“Impressive experience. The flight was pleasant, the pilot Gus professional. The glacier landing was like a breece of freish air.”

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4.Queenstown Gin and Whiskey tours

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · from $462

Sarah leads a private six-hour outing from Queenstown’s Station Building to Cardrona Distillery and Rifters’ Tasting Room. Expect gin tastings, a guided distillery visit, stories about botanicals and gin’s past, countryside views, and return transport. Whiskey lovers are welcome, though the listed stops focus mainly on gin.

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