Waiheke Horse tours

Waiheke Horse Tours takes riders out from Woodside Bay on a guided experience that combines a proper lesson with a beach ride and a climb to clifftop views over the Hauraki Gulf. Groups are kept to a maximum of two people, so the attention from instructor Liz is genuinely personal — she matches horses to riders, talks through technique, and takes photos along the way.

First-timers make up a good portion of the riders here, and the horses — among them Moss, Waka, Morgan, and the pony Secret — are noted for their calm temperament and patience. The route takes in the beach at Woodside Bay, where riders can walk horses into the water, as well as elevated tracks with open sea views.

The minimum age is 14, making this one for older children and adults rather than young families. Getting to Waiheke requires the ferry from Auckland, then onward transport to the bay — part of what gives the outing its sense of occasion.