Ride Historic Ferries to Riverhead — Scenic Auckland Harbor Cruises

Relaxing harbor cruises and ferry trips from Auckland to New Zealand’s oldest riverside tavern with licensed bar, snacks, and lively commentary.

Featured Cruises & Ferries

Explore Red Boats and Riverhead Ferry options with landings at The Landing, The Boat House, and The Portage Bar.

Auckland

Harbour Ferry to The Riverhead: Red Boats Scenic Cruise from Westhaven Marina

Step aboard at Westhaven Marina for a 1.5-hour ferry ride to The Riverhead, New Zealand’s oldest riverside tavern. Enjoy commentary, a licensed bar, and a short shore excursion across the upper Waitematā.

Harbour Ferry to The Riverhead: Red Boats Scenic Cruise from Westhaven Marina

Riverhead Ferry: Auckland Harbour Cruise to The Riverhead Tavern

Step aboard a 1.5-hour voyage up Auckland’s historic harbour to The Riverhead, New Zealand’s oldest riverside tavern. Enjoy narrated cultural commentary, sheltered decks, a licensed onboard bar, and a relaxed riverside stop—perfect for families, photographers, and visitors seeking a measured maritime escape.

Riverhead Ferry: Auckland Harbour Cruise to The Riverhead Tavern

Auckland

Riverhead Ferry to The Landing Restaurant: Historic Auckland Harbour Cruise

Step aboard a restored 1952 wooden ferry for a slow-water escape from central Auckland: narrated harbour cruising, a licensed bar aboard, and a two-hour visit to The Riverhead—New Zealand’s oldest riverside tavern. Perfect for food lovers, families, and anyone after a scenic, low-effort day out on the Waitematā.

Auckland

Harbour Cruise to The Riverhead: Auckland’s Historic Riverside Lunch Escape

Step aboard at Westhaven Marina for a 1.5-hour harbour cruise that ends with lunch at The Riverhead—New Zealand’s oldest riverside tavern. Enjoy commentary, wide water views, and seasonal dishes on cascading decks.

Harbour Cruise to The Riverhead: Auckland’s Historic Riverside Lunch Escape

Auckland

Auckland Harbour Cruise to The Riverhead: The Red Boats Experience

Swap city streets for a short maritime escape: sail from Westhaven Marina to The Riverhead for live music, tavern fare, and waterfront views. This roomy, family-friendly cruise combines commentary, a licensed bar, and a festive riverside stop—perfect for a relaxed half-day outing from Auckland.

Auckland Harbour Cruise to The Riverhead: The Red Boats Experience

Auckland

Riverhead Ferry to Auckland’s Oldest Riverside Tavern: Scenic Upper Harbour Cruise

Step aboard a historic wooden ferry at Westhaven Marina for a relaxed cruise to Riverhead and New Zealand’s oldest riverside tavern. Expect live music on summer Sundays, local commentary from Captain Holger, and estuarine views that make this half-day feel like a proper escape from the city.

Auckland

Auckland Riverhead Ferry Cruise: 1.5-Hour Harbor Trip to New Zealand's Oldest Tavern

Glide up Auckland’s Waitematā Harbour on a relaxed 1.5-hour ferry to Riverhead, New Zealand’s oldest riverside tavern. Enjoy guided commentary, indoor/outdoor decks, a licensed bar, and tidal estuary scenery on this easy half-day escape.

Auckland

Harbour Hops: The Red Boats' Scenic Cruise to The Riverhead & Portage Bar from Westhaven

A relaxed ferry voyage from Westhaven Marina delivers wide harbour views, onboard commentary and a stop at The Riverhead Tavern’s Portage Bar. Perfect for families, photographers and anyone looking for an easy water escape from central Auckland.

About The Riverhead

The Riverhead is an Auckland-based operator offering scenic harbor cruises and ferry services to Riverhead, home to New Zealand’s oldest riverside tavern. Featured on The Adventure Collective, The Riverhead runs a variety of short cruises aboard spacious vessels and historic wooden ferries, combining coastal scenery, lively commentary, and relaxed on-board service.

Trips include Red Boats and Riverhead Ferry options that sail along Auckland’s historic harbour, passing Māori sites and early pioneers’ routes before docking at the tavern. Options visit The Landing restaurant, The Boat House, or The Portage Bar, with seasonal dishes, live summer music on selected sailings, and indoor and outdoor seating. Onboard amenities commonly include a licensed bar, snacks, and comfortable deck space suitable for families and groups.

The Riverhead’s cruises emphasize accessibility and atmosphere: vessels offer indoor and outdoor areas, commentary highlights local history, and some sailings note a 1.5-hour duration. One landing involves a climb of 55 stairs to reach the tavern; shore access and facilities vary by trip. Safety and hospitality are supported by licensed on-board service and experienced crew familiar with Auckland’s upper harbour routes.

Ideal for visitors seeking relaxed sightseeing, waterside dining, or social outings, The Riverhead provides straightforward, fact-based experiences rooted in local history and harbor scenery. Booking and schedule details are available through the operator’s listings and partners. Schedules, fares, and specific onboard services differ between trips; passengers should consult the operator listing or ticketing partner for current departure times, pricing, accessibility notes, and seasonal changes for planning and safety purposes.

Auckland Harbor Cruises to Riverhead

The Riverhead offers a range of Auckland harbor cruises and Riverhead ferry services that connect central waterways with New Zealand’s oldest riverside tavern. These cruises highlight scenic views across the upper harbor, historic routes, and local commentary while providing licensed bar service and onboard snacks. Popular products include Red Boats sailings and historic wooden ferry trips to The Landing restaurant, The Boat House, and The Portage Bar.

What to expect

Passengers can expect comfortable, family-friendly vessels with indoor and outdoor spaces. Onboard offerings are factual: a licensed bar, snacks, lively commentary, and seasonal live music on selected departures. Some sailings use historic wooden ferries that emphasize heritage and atmosphere; others operate on spacious modern vessels suited to groups and families.

Featured trips

Red Boats: scenic sailings across Auckland’s historic harbor, lively commentary, and relaxed onboard service.
Riverhead Ferry: journeys past Māori sites and pioneer routes, ending at the Riverhead Tavern.
The Landing restaurant sailings: ferry access to waterside dining with seasonal menus.
Boat House and Portage Bar excursions: summer music, drinks, and deck space for social outings.

Practical information

Schedules, fares, and trip durations vary by product. At least one listed cruise notes a 1.5-hour option. Some landings require a short climb, including a 55-step ascent at one location. Passengers should review operator listings or ticketing partners for current departure times, pricing, and accessibility details.

Why choose these cruises

Direct access to New Zealand’s oldest riverside tavern via Riverhead ferry.
Multiple docking options: The Landing, The Boat House, The Portage Bar.
Licensed bar service and snacks available onboard.
Options suitable for family outings, scenic sightseeing, and waterside dining.

Planning tips

Book ahead during peak seasons when live music and summer sailings are most likely. Check which vessel is scheduled: historic wooden ferries offer a heritage experience while modern vessels provide extra deck space. Bring weather-appropriate clothing for indoor and outdoor seating.

Areas covered and local heritage

Cruises pass through Auckland’s upper harbour, including sites of Māori significance and early settlement routes. Commentary focuses on local history and harbor scenery, reinforcing the cultural context of Riverhead and surrounding shorelines.

Groups & private charters

The Riverhead accommodates group bookings and social events on selected sailings. Group bookings can arrange dedicated space on spacious vessels, coordinate menu choices at The Landing restaurant or The Boat House, and plan timings with the operator. Private charters are subject to vessel availability, crew scheduling, and seasonal constraints; partner booking channels will confirm options and pricing.

Accessibility & safety

Crew members operate with standard safety procedures for passenger ferries. Lifejackets and safety briefings are provided as required by maritime rules. Shore access at Riverhead locations may include stairs or uneven paths; travelers with limited mobility should verify landing details and accessibility notes before booking. Licensed bar service follows local regulations for alcohol service.

Typical itinerary

A typical Riverhead sailing departs a central Auckland wharf, follows the upper harbour route with commentary on Māori sites and pioneer history, then docks at a riverside landing. Passengers may disembark to visit the tavern, enjoy a meal at The Landing restaurant, or return on a later sailing. Duration and turnaround depend on the chosen trip type and seasonal scheduling.

Consult published timetables and booking partners for the latest updates.

Key search terms: Auckland harbor cruises, Riverhead ferry, Riverhead Tavern, Red Boats, historic wooden ferry, The Landing restaurant, Boat House, Portage Bar, licensed bar, scenic views, family-friendly cruises.

Reserve Seats for a Riverhead Cruise

Book scenic Auckland harbor sailings to Riverhead Tavern, waterfront dining, and summer music — check timetables and ticketing partners for availability.