Photo of Waiheke Horse tours in Auckland
Horse Riding

Waiheke Horse tours

📍 Woodside Bay, Auckland

4.8(52 Google reviews)💰$185-$250👶4+

Waiheke Horse Tours offers private owner-operated rides in Woodside Bay — coastal farm tracks, hilltop bay views, and a secluded beach. Liz matches riders to named horses, teaches throughout, and photographs every ride.

secluded beach rideowner-operated with named horsesbeginner-friendly instructionWaiheke coastal viewsHobbit film horse Moss
★★★★★Featured review by Jason Lee

Drop everything you're doing and come here!!! My wife and I had the time of our lives with Waka (Maori word for Canoe), Moss and other horses (and of course Liz) here at Waiheke Horse Tours. Tour is about an hour and a half long, views were absolutely breathtaking as we walked around the farm and along the coast. Felt like a scene out of a movie! We loved that Liz doesn't overwork her horses. Previous horse rides we've been on in Hawaii, they were 2+ hours long on a hot sunny day, it was clearly a lot for the horses as they were sweating heavily and one of them was even crying 😢 we felt really bad. Liz's horses are leading much happier and healthier lives -- we were apparently the only tour today. They seemed very chill and happily grazing during and after the tour 😛 It was very nice to see Liz taking great care and loving her horses. Thanks Liz for the amazing tour and sharing some cool Lord of the Rings stories with us! 🙏 Apparently Moss was in two of the Hobbit movies and one other horse (who's now retired) was Tom Cruise's horse in The Last Samurai? Super cool. We hope to be back in our next visit to NZ!

🏆 Family Action Verdict

Reviewers describe it as a scene from a movie — the beach, the views, the patient horses and Liz's storytelling combine into something that stays with people long after the ferry back. Older teens and adults consistently leave calling it a highlight of their NZ trip.

ℹ️ What to Know Before You Go

💡Minimum age 14 years for beginners
Maximum group size 4 people
🎟️Book via WhatsApp or text — check the Waiheke Horse Tours website for contact details
🚗Rides timed around low tide for beach access

💬 What Families Are Saying

View all reviews →
4.8

52 Google reviews

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J

Jason Lee

a year ago

Drop everything you're doing and come here!!! My wife and I had the time of our lives with Waka (Maori word for Canoe), Moss and other horses (and of course Liz) here at Waiheke Horse Tours. Tour is about an hour and a half long, views were absolutely breathtaking as we walked around the farm and along the coast. Felt like a scene out of a movie! We loved that Liz doesn't overwork her horses. Previous horse rides we've been on in Hawaii, they were 2+ hours long on a hot sunny day, it was clearly a lot for the horses as they were sweating heavily and one of them was even crying 😢 we felt really bad. Liz's horses are leading much happier and healthier lives -- we were apparently the only tour today. They seemed very chill and happily grazing during and after the tour 😛 It was very nice to see Liz taking great care and loving her horses. Thanks Liz for the amazing tour and sharing some cool Lord of the Rings stories with us! 🙏 Apparently Moss was in two of the Hobbit movies and one other horse (who's now retired) was Tom Cruise's horse in The Last Samurai? Super cool. We hope to be back in our next visit to NZ!

E

Exell

3 months ago

Stumbled upon this place by accident, and it was the best accident ever! I was lucky enough to get a booking with Liz and we had such an incredible experience with her today. She was the sweetest and most patient person. At first, we were quite hesitant with handling the horses, but she was so helpful, constantly guiding and teaching us how to ride. We gained alot of knowledge on horse riding. We nstantly felt comfortable and started riding with more confidence. Dont worry about photos, she took loads of em for us 😂 (thank you! The horses were also well taken care of, you can really tell by how soft and shiny their coats were! I absolutely love how she also puts her horses welfare first, never overworked her horses,it was very admirable. I was lucky enough to get to ride Moss, he's such a good boy. Loves teasing a lot and have got a few tricks up his sleeve haha, much love to him❤ last but not least, Liz literally went over and above for us, offering to drop us off at a nearby cafe. Really appreciated the gesture! Will definitely cone back again in the future!

K

Keala Patterson

2 years ago

Waiheke Horse Tours are fantastic. Highly recommend! When we got to the island for our day trip, Ryda was going to be $66 one way and we opted to do the e-bikes from the ferry station. If you’re thinking about that option pls know that it’s about a 45 min ride both along curvy streets and some hilly gravel/dirt road. We go biking often so this was a fun treat. Liz got us on our horses Waka and Morgan who were perfectly matched to myself and my boyfriend. Our longer ride included a short lesson, a ride up the hill overlooking the bay and back down to the beach. It was the most scenic, private, and authentic experiences we could’ve asked for. The horses were so calm and wonderful to us newbies. The views and paths were like no where else! It was a dream to experience it. The other major perk was Liz took amazing photos and videos of us courtesy with the ride. Thanks Liz, Waka, and Morgan.

S

Shanti Lasminingsih

a year ago

I had one of the most amazing experience! Super glad I got to go on this horse tour, Liz and her horses were amazing and such sweethearts. The scenic view was breathtakingly beautiful, even in the winter the weather was perfect and sunny. I got to ride Waka and he was the sweetest horse, very easy to ride on and Liz even helped me out on my riding by teaching me a few things! We had a pleasant chat throughout the tour and after the tour as well. Thank you so much for being the highlight of my birthday! Hope to see you all again soon x

Reviews from Google

Overview

Waiheke Horse Tours is run by Liz from her Woodside Bay farm, with private rides for up to four riders. Routes climb through farm tracks to hilltop vistas and down to a sheltered beach. Liz matches riders to named horses — Waka, Moss, and Morgan feature regularly — and provides instruction throughout. She photographs and videos the ride for guests. Moss appeared in two Hobbit films. Minimum age for beginners is 14 years.

🕐 Opening Hours

Monday10:00 – 15:00
Tuesday09:00 – 15:00
Wednesday09:00 – 15:00
Thursday09:00 – 15:00
Friday09:00 – 15:00
Saturday09:00 – 15:00
Sunday10:00 – 15:00

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