A fortress hidden in plain sight

Descend 60 metres underground into one of New Zealand’s best-kept WWII secrets - Stony Batter Tunnels

New Zealand’s largest WWII coastal fortress, 1.2km of hand-carved tunnels, quarried in total secrecy in 1943 to defend Auckland from invasion, and preserved almost exactly as they were left at war’s end.

Today, expert local guides lead you through gun turrets, engine rooms, and chambers before bringing you back up to spectacular coastal views over the Hauraki Gulf to the Coromandel Peninsula.

Stony Batter Tunnels is recognised by Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga as a Category 1 Historic Place, and stands as one of the country’s most extraordinary defence structures, and an engineering achievement of historical significance for both its unique construction method and exceptional state of preservation.

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Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki and Man O’ War Vineyards are proud to take on the role of kaitiaki - guardians of the Stony Batter Tunnels.

Stony Batter Tunnels

Book a Tour

Currently operating tours Thursday – Sunday. Please refer to the booking calendar for available dates and tour times.

    • 0-5 years | FREE

    • Adult: 16 and over | $35

    • 6-15 years (Maximum of 4 children per paying adult) | $15

    • Family - 2 adults 2 kids | $90

  • Planning a group visit or looking for something a little more exclusive?

    We offer private guided tours and group experiences, with the option to combine your visit to Stony Batter Tunnels with other Man O’ War experiences.

    Our team can help put together an itinerary to suit your group.

    For group enquiries, private tour bookings and pricing, contact experience@manowar.nz.

  • Stony Batter is at the remote eastern end of Waiheke, roughly 35–50 minutes drive from Matiatia Ferry Terminal.

    From Onetangi, head up the hill on Waiheke Road. After a couple of kilometres, turn left into Man O’War Bay Road. Follow this road through farmland then turn left into Stony Batter Road. There is a parking area adjacent to a walkway that crosses private farmland to reach the Stony Batter Historic Reserve & Tunnels.

    The final stretch is unsealed so best to allow extra time.

  • Please arrive at the Stony Batter carpark 45 minutes before your tour.

    The carpark is not located at the Tunnels. From here, allow approximately 20 minutes to walk along a farm road and through open farmland to the Tour Office. Please check in 15 minutes before your scheduled tour.

  • Expect steep staircases, low lighting in places, and enclosed spaces - manageable for most fitness levels but worth knowing if you’re not keen on confined spaces.

  • Sturdy shoes, water, a jacket (it’s breezy and cool underground and exposed on the headland), and a camera - the surrounding views over the Hauraki Gulf are genuinely spectacular.

  • Make a day of it and pair your visit with lunch or a wine tasting at Man O’ War Vineyards.

    Feeling adventurous? Explore more of Waiheke’s eastern end with Forest Flight - an epic zipline journey through ancient Kauri forest, ending just steps from Man O’ War’s Tasting Room & Restaurant.

Book your tour

Frequently Asked

Questions

  • Guided tours are temporarily paused while we prepare the site for this new chapter. The reserve itself, gun emplacements, walking tracks, and views, remains open to the public. Tours of the Stony Batter Tunnels are bookable from September 2, 2026.

  • Free parking is available at the end of the public road, near the main farm gate.

    The car park is approximately 800 metres from the tunnels, with access via a gravel farm road. Please allow around 20 minutes for the walk.

  • About 1km each way from the car park, roughly 20-30 minutes at an easy pace. The road is unsealed and uneven, with a gentle but sustained incline in parts.

    You'll be passing through a working farm, where you may encounter livestock or farm machinery. Please don't approach or feed animals, and respect the surrounding private property.

    The walk is exposed to the weather, so please come prepared for the conditions.

  • No. For safety reasons, the tunnels are only accessible as part of a guided tour. The Historic Reserve, walking tracks, and gun emplacement sites above ground, however, are open to explore without a booking.

  • The guided underground tour takes approximately one hour, starting and finishing at the Tour Office. Tour duration may vary slightly depending on group size and pace.

    Please check in at the Tour Office 15 minutes before your scheduled tour and allow approximately 20 minutes to walk from the car park.

  • Enclosed footwear is essential. Comfortable walking shoes or hiking boots are ideal. Jandals and slip-on shoes are not permitted. The path crosses working farmland (expect sheep and the odd patch of mud or droppings) and the tunnel floors and staircases aren’t suited to sandals or jandals.

    The tunnels can be cool, even in summer, so we recommend bringing an extra warm layer.

    We operate rain or shine, and while the underground tour is sheltered, the walk through the reserve is not. Please dress for the weather.

  • Yes – it’s a very family-friendly activity – the storytelling and the scale of the tunnels are a hit with children too.

    Children under 16 must be accompanied by at least one adult aged 18 or over throughout the tour.

    A maximum of four children or infants per adult is permitted inside the tunnels.

    Children cannot be left unattended at the Tour Office.

    Babies are welcome on our tours, but due to stairs, uneven and potentially wet surfaces, and limited space, prams cannot be taken inside the tunnels.

    You're welcome to use a backpack-style baby carrier, provided the combined height of you and the carrier does not exceed 210 cm.

    Unfortunately, we can't guarantee space to store prams inside while you're on tour.

  • Your ticket includes a one-hour guided tour of the Stony Batter Tunnels and a handheld torch for each participant.

    Access to the Stony Batter Historic Reserve and Tour Office is free, with no ticket required.

  • For everyone's safety, a few important conditions apply:

    • All children must be accompanied by an adult.

    • You must be able to walk and climb stairs without assistance.

    • You cannot participate if you are impaired by alcohol or drugs.

    Many medical conditions won't necessarily prevent you from joining a tour. However, please let your guide know in confidence about any medical condition you feel we should be aware of.

  • Approx 1km with numerous stairs to negotiate as part of the tour.

    Modified private tours may be available for guests with limited mobility, by prior arrangement, subject to operational resources and at an exclusive tour rate. Please contact the Team directly.

  • We understand that plans can change, but please give us at least 48 hours' notice if you need to cancel or change your booking.

    Cancellations made within 48 hours of your scheduled tour may be charged at the full booking price.

    No-shows and late arrivals are also charged in full, as our tours must depart on time and we are unable to wait for late guests.

    If we need to cancel your tour due to circumstances beyond our control, we'll offer you the choice of rescheduling your experience or receiving a full refund.

    Please note that refunds are not available for guest cancellations made within 48 hours of the scheduled tour.

    What if I need to cancel or postpone my booking?

    We know plans can change, and we're happy to help where we can.

    With at least 48 hours' notice, you can choose to:

    • Exchange your booking for a voucher to use at a later date.

    • Reschedule your experience for another available date.

    • Receive a full refund.

    If you're unsure what works best, please contact our team and we'll be happy to help.

  • You're welcome to bring your phone and a bottle of water on the tour. Bottled water is also available to purchase at the Tour Office.

    Please bring any fast-acting medication you may need, such as an asthma inhaler or EpiPen. Let your guide know so they can ensure it's secure and readily accessible.

    There is no secure storage for large luggage items, including suitcases, although our team will do their best to assist where possible.

    Food is not permitted inside the tunnels, but you're welcome to bring food to enjoy in the reserve.

    Please take all rubbish home with you. There are no rubbish facilities at the Tour Office, in the reserve or at the car park.

  • No need! We provide a handheld torch for everyone on the tour.

    You're also welcome to bring your own handheld torch or headtorch if you prefer.

  • Your safety is our priority. Stony Batter Tunnels is AdventureMark approved and audited annually, and our professionally trained guides are there to ensure you can explore the tunnels safely.

    As with any historic underground environment, there are risks associated with the experience, which our team works carefully to manage.

  • The walk in has some incline and uneven ground, and the tunnels include staircases and enclosed sections. If you’re not comfortable with confined, dimly lit spaces or extended walking on uneven terrain, the gun emplacements and reserve walking tracks (no tunnel access) can still be enjoyed without going underground.

    We've welcomed visitors who are uncomfortable in confined spaces and have still enjoyed the experience. However, everyone is different, so please consider your own comfort level before booking.

    If you have any concerns, our team is happy to talk you through what to expect.

  • You're in good hands. If you feel uncomfortable or unable to continue, please let your guide know.

    There are multiple exit points throughout the tunnels, and our team can help you safely return to the starting point.

    Your safety and wellbeing always come first.

  • We strongly recommend booking ahead to secure your preferred tour time, particularly if you're planning other activities or restaurant bookings around your visit.

    Walk-ins are welcome when spaces are available, but there may be a wait for the next tour time. We suggest contacting our team before making the walk to the tunnels to avoid disappointment.

  • Mobile reception can be patchy at the eastern end of Waiheke Island, including around Stony Batter.

    We recommend downloading or saving your directions before setting off, rather than relying on mobile coverage for navigation.

  • Yes. The Historic Reserve, walking tracks, and the gun emplacement sites above ground are accessible without booking a guided tour, and free to enter.

    A ticket is only required for the guided underground tunnel tour (for safety reasons).

  • Yes. There is one public toilet at the car park near the farm gate, which is always accessible.

    Two additional toilets are available at the Tour Office during public opening hours.

  • The Stony Batter Tunnels and Historic Reserve are approximately 4 km from Man O' War Bay, (where the Man O’ War Tasting Room & Restaurant & Forest Flight Zipline are situated) along a gravel road.

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