There’s something about boarding a ferry on a sunlit Auckland morning that feels instantly transportive – sea breeze in your hair, and the promise of a day that feels worlds away. Recently, the Fashion Quarterly team travelled to Waiheke with Fullers360 to explore the island’s eastern end aboard the new Eastern Explorer Bus. Designed to make island-hopping seamless, the journey combines the ease of Fullers360’s ferry service with a curated bus route that connects travellers to some of Waiheke’s most beautiful vineyards and coastal views.
After a picturesque sailing across the Hauraki Gulf, we disembarked at Matiatia Ferry Terminal to meet the Eastern Explorer. The winding coastal road revealed Waiheke’s raw beauty: vineyards spilling down to the sea, sun-dappled coves, and the kind of views that make time slow down.
Our first stop: Man O’ War Vineyard. Located on a serene stretch of coastline at the far Eastern end of Waiheke Island, we lingered over long glasses of rosé and shared plates that tasted like summer – think fresh oysters, roasted vegetables, and perfectly prepared pizzas. Lunch here is less a meal and more an unhurried ritual, the kind that invites you to stay just a little longer.
Next, the Eastern Explorer carried us to the Waiheke Distilling Co., set high above Cowes Bay with sweeping views of the Coromandel Peninsula. A tasting flight introduced us to gins infused with local botanicals – each one capturing a distinct sense of place. It’s a stop that perfectly rounds out the day: scenic, social, and unmistakably Waiheke.
As the afternoon faded away, we made our way back to the ferry – a little sun-kissed, a little giddy, and a lot in love with Waiheke all over again. By sunset, the city skyline reappeared, and with it, that familiar feeling of gratitude for how close paradise really is.
For more than 40 years, Fullers360 has been connecting people, places, and adventures across the Hauraki Gulf. With the Eastern Explorer, that legacy continues, turning a simple day trip into something truly memorable.
