About The Riverhead
The Riverhead was established in 1857 by Thomas William Deacon, who came to New Zealand with the Royal Navy, and it bills itself as the country's oldest riverside tavern, holding the second-oldest liquor licence. Before roads and rail reached the north, its wharf on the upper Waitematā Harbour was a gateway for settlers heading further on. Stephen and Paula Pepperell bought the run-down building after a mortgagee sale and restored it, reopening in 2011.
The Landing restaurant and the Portage Bar are both open every day from 11am until late. The Landing's deck sits under 100-year-old oak trees by the water; the summer 2026–27 menu includes the house barbecue pork ribs, cured alpine venison, tuna tataki and a shared Landing Board, and its meat comes from certified halal suppliers. Families are welcome in the Portage Bar's outdoor courtyard, and there is a kids' menu.
On selected summer Sundays the Boat House opens to the public for Sunday Live, with gates at noon. Dates listed for the 2026–27 season run from 11 October 2026 to 24 January 2027. You can also arrive by water: scheduled ferries run up the harbor past the Harbour Bridge to the tavern's own dock, and private boats can tie up at the jetty on the right tide.
Lavender Hill at 11 Beacon Road is about five minutes away, so a booked lavender farm and distillery tour followed by a late lunch on the deck makes an easy Riverhead afternoon.
What to do
- Eat on the deck under century-old oaks above the river
- Catch Sunday Live at the Boat House on summer Sundays (October 2026–January 2027)
- Arrive by ferry up the upper Waitematā Harbour
- Shoot pool or watch sport in the Portage Bar
- Read up on the tavern's 1857 history
Season, hours and prices
- Season
- Open year-round; Sunday Live on selected summer Sundays, 11 October 2026 to 24 January 2027
- Hours
- 2026: The Landing and the Portage Bar daily 11am–late; the Boat House is for private functions except Sunday Live
Tips for your visit
- For Sunday Live, groups of 8 or more can book before 1pm; after that seating is first come, first served.
- Well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome on the lawn and deck at Sunday Live, but not inside.
- Boaties: there is no power, water or fuel on the jetty, and deeper boats should travel on half tide or higher.
- It is about a 25-minute drive from downtown Auckland.
Pair it with a lavender farm
Lavender Hill · about 5 minutes away
Lavender Hill is about five minutes away in Riverhead; book a farm tour, then come down to the river for lunch.
Getting there
Questions
How old is The Riverhead?
It was established in 1857 and calls itself New Zealand's oldest riverside tavern.
Can you get there by boat?
Yes. Scheduled ferries run to the tavern's private dock, and private boats can use the jetty with attention to the tide.
Is it family-friendly?
Yes. Families are welcome in the Portage Bar courtyard, there is a kids' menu, and children are welcome at Sunday Live with supervision.
When is Sunday Live?
Selected summer Sundays from noon; listed dates run 11 October 2026 to 24 January 2027.
🗺️ Part of the guide Things to Do Near the Lavender Farms of the Auckland Countryside, New Zealand
Checked in October 2026 against the business’s own website and local tourism pages. Hours and seasons change, so check with them before you go. How we check listings · Is this your business? Claim it free
