Riverhead Tavern Cruise
Grab your group together and cruise up to the Riverhead Tavern, New Zealand's oldest riverside bar and restaurant. Hire the whole boat to yourself with our private Riverhead Tavern Cruise, or book individual tickets through the Riverhead Experience.
BOOK ONLINEBest for
Everyone! But a great way to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, work parties, hens and stags do, family day trips, long lunches, or just dinner and drinks.
Time
The historical Riverhead Tavern is nestled on the edge of the upper Waitemata Harbour. It takes about 1.5 hours to get there. You will spend 2 hours ashore, and then cruise back to Auckland City. This cruise is tide dependant.
Schedule
Go ashore and eat at the Portage Bar, Landing Restaurant, or Boat House for approximately 2 hours (venue booked at the same time as your cruise). The total return trip is 5 1/2 hours.
Cost
Public charters — $43 adult return, $22 child return (under 5's free). $35 for seniors. Private charters — from $1,290.
Amenities
Licensed bar, flushing toilet, Eftpos, sound system, indoor and outdoor seating, dance floor.
Boat capacity
The Riverhead Ferry can comfortably fit up to 40 passengers.
Book a private return trip to the Riverhead Tavern for your group of family & friends.
ENQUIRE TODAY
Just over 5 hours of a Classic Kiwi Experience.
The sheltered waterways of the upper Waitemata Harbour will take you back to another era when you arrive at The Riverhead. For over 150 years, it has seen people come and go and holds many stories within its walls. The à La Carté Restaurantis connected to an outside deck surrounded by 100-year-old oak trees overlooking the river, while the classic kiwi neighbourhood bar makes a wonderful place to unwind with a cold beer and a game of pool. On your journey back you will see the beauty of Auckland's captivating city and Harbour Bridge.
BOOK ONLINEThe Cruise
What you'll see
You’ll cruise the route of the early settlers, leaving the city behind as you slide under the Auckland Harbour Bridge, cruise past the Chelsea Sugar Factory, and leave Herald Island to port venturing up the sheltered waterways to the top of the harbour.
Drop off & pick-up.
Your pick-up location is Z Pier, Westhaven Marina. Find out how to get to us here.
Onboard the ferry.
Enjoy the beautiful harbour scenery with a drink in hand while relaxing on our indoor and outdoor seating in the back and front of the boat. For private charters, you can play your own music using our AUX sound system.
Food & Drink
We have a licensed bar on board for drinks (alcoholic & non-alcoholic) during your cruise. At the time of booking, you can choose your preferred venue at the Riverhead Tavern, but will need to confirm this with The Riverhead by emailing functions@theriverhead.co.nz.
Health & Safety
Your safety is important to us. To ensure that your journey is smooth sailing please make sure you; use handrails when moving around the vessel, remove luggage/bags from seats and aisles, ensure you listen to safety announcements on departure, familiarise yourself with the location of the life jackets on your particular vessel, climbing, jumping or running on board the vessel is not permitted at any time, and do not stand on seats or sit on railings. Please note: doorways on our vessel are 45 centimeters wide (0.45 meters).
Refunds & Cancellations
All our cruises are designed with your safety and comfort in mind. In the event of unsafe sea and weather conditions, we may have to cancel the charter in the interests of your safety. If we need to cancel your trip due to bad weather, we will re-schedule your cruise for a new date or offer a full refund. A pre-warning will be provided 3 days before your departure time, but our owner & skipper will make a final call on the day. If for any reason you cannot make this trip, you will receive a refund minus a $3 booking/admin fee per person only if you give more than 48hrs notice (28 days for Christmas Cruises). For private charters, the date and time you've requested are still available to others until the deposit or the total amount is paid. Your booking is confirmed when we receive the deposit amount. A refundable deposit is required for up to 28 days before departure. Full payment is due 28 days before the date or paid in full if booking within 28 days before your chosen date. Once full payment has been made, it will not be refunded if the charter is cancelled. If you need to cancel the charter due to unforeseen circumstances we can reschedule the charter to an alternative date.
Terms & Conditions
To ensure the safety of our guests, if anyone turns up intoxicated and is not fit for travel, the intoxicated guests will be left behind, or the charter will be cancelled with no refund. If while you are on board and anyone participates in inappropriate or disorderly behaviour, the charter will be cancelled and we will return back to the marina. BYO alcohol is not permitted on the boat as we have a licensed bar on board. Drinking in the Westhaven Marina car park before and/or after the charter will not be tolerated. If you bring your own alcohol onto Riverhead Ferry we will have to cancel the charter with no refund. No drugs or illicit substances are permitted onboard any of our charters. For private charters, if any of the previously specified behaviour is seen during the charter, or any damages are made to the boat due to drunk or disorderly behaviour, Riverhead Ferry holds the right to charge $500 to the credit card on file as a bond. However, we do love to have a good time, so make sure you dance the day or night away! Riverhead Ferry is not responsible for loss of personal items, or external costs, e.g., accommodation or restaurant bookings. For group charters, increasing the number of passengers is possible but not changing to a lesser number after four weeks before departure.
The Destination
Where is it?
The historical Riverhead Tavern is nestled on the edge of the upper Waitemata Harbour.
How long should I stay?
The total trip time is 5 1/2 hours. It's the perfect day or night out.
What are the food options?
See the delicious menus at each of the venues at The Riverhead: The Portage Bar, The Landing Restaurant, or The Boat House. Please let us know where you'd like to dine when you book with us, but make sure you also confirm with The Riverhead by emailing functions@theriverhead.co.nz.
How do I book?
Click here to book a shared cruise to the Riverhead Tavern, it is here you choose your venue of choice too. For private charters please email info@riverheadferry.co.nz.
What can I do?
Celebrate any occasion with a drink as you cruise under the Harbour Bridge, watch the beautiful scenery go by as you float up the river, and spend quality time with friends or family while you dine at New Zealand's oldest riverside tavern. All your group needs to do is soak in the views, enjoy a drink or few, and be merry!
