Surrounded by farmland and vineyards, Kumeu combines a rural character with dedicated wine and cultural experiences. Soljans offers guided wine tours that give you insight into winemaking and the winery’s history, along with the chance to taste selected wines. A different highlight is the Kumeu Show, held every year in March and featuring sheep shearing, animal competitions and Highland dancing. When planning your trip, consider both your main interest and the timing: wine tours and an event held specifically in March offer different ways to experience Kumeu.

Experience wine: tours, tastings and a bistro

Soljans’ wine tours offer insight into winemaking and the winery’s history, and conclude with a guided tasting of selected wines. Soljans Estate Winery has been family-owned since 1937 and is run as a family winery. The tour therefore connects winemaking with the business’s family history and a tasting. If you’d like to learn about wine not only by tasting it, but also through its context, this tour offers a clear focus. Tour options may change; confirm what is currently available before your visit.

Coopers Creek Vineyard’s cellar door, at 601 State Highway 16 in Kumeu, offers another way to enjoy a wine visit. It is open for wine sales and tastings. Hours are 9:30 am to 5:00 pm Monday to Friday, and 11:00 am to 5:00 pm on weekends and summer public holidays. The difference between the two offerings lies in their format: at Soljans, the tour combines winery history and winemaking insights; at Coopers Creek, visits follow the cellar door’s opening hours. Opening hours may change, so check them before you travel.

Soljans Estate Winery’s bistro also offers a relaxed meal. This means you can include the food offering in your plans for a winery visit. Availability may change; if you’re planning to visit the bistro, check what is currently available in advance.

The Kumeu Show in March

The Kumeu Show takes place every year in March and features sheep shearing, animal competitions and Highland dancing. It offers a seasonal alternative to the wineries. If you’re visiting Kumeu in March and are interested in these activities, you can plan the event as a highlight of your trip. Check the specific event dates before finalizing your plans.

Getting around and arrival

As a guide, the drive from the city centre to Kumeu is said to take around 25 minutes; actual journey times may vary. The ferry from the city to Riverhead takes 1.5 hours, though this journey time may also vary. The two estimates refer to different destinations and modes of transport: the drive is to Kumeu, while the ferry journey is to Riverhead. They are therefore not two alternatives for the same route.

Discover more destinations: Mauku, Onetangi, Bethells Beach, Mangere, Puhoi, Ellerslie, Silverdale, Bombay

For the wider travel overview: Auckland.