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Island in the Hauraki Gulf of New Zealand
Photo: AlasdairW, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Waiheke Island is in the Hauraki Gulf near Auckland, just off the North Island of New Zealand. It is 35 minutes by ferry from Auckland and is a popular destination for day trips and longer visits.
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Visit the woolshed museum and a 1930s restored cottage. There is also a photographic gallery and a textile display area.
World War II gun emplacements and tunnels. At the eastern end of the island. There is a 1.2-km (20-minute) walk from the carpark.
A collection of 30 modern sculptures in a garden, which can be seen only on tours, which last 2.5 hours. Tours need to be booked weeks in advance. There is a self-catering cottage if you want to stay in the park.
Tastings at 3 vineyards and a light lunch. Ferry leaves Auckland at 10:15AM. Waiheke Island produces some of New Zealand’s finest red wines which thrive in the hot, dry summers and stony soils. The vineyards are not large and wines are produced in limited quantities. Fare include return ferry trip, the tour, wine and olive oil tastings and a two course lunch.
Collection of accordions, pianos, organs and the like. Learn their history and the period they were made for. Occasional weekend classical concerts.
Start to appreciate the large amount of modern sculpture all over the island by wandering around Alison Park. Then keep a look out as you walk or drive around the island as many private gardens have large artworks which can be viewed fro the path or road,
Small art gallery, showing changing displays of local artwork including work for sale. Downstairs in the cinema and theatre, the library is next door.
Takes place over the Easter weekend.
The main beach, located along the northern side of the town of Oneroa.
A small secluded beach at the east end of Oneroa Beach, separated by a protruding cliff wall.
Similar in shape to Oneroa Beach (complete with protruding cliff wall on the east end that separates a small private beach in Boatshed Bay), it gets its name from the mature phoenix palms at the east end.
A small clothes-optional beach at the west end of Palm Beach.
The south-facing counterpart of Oneroa Beach, lining Blackpool and popular for kayaking and windsurfing.
A zoned-in beach on the southern side of Surfdale, separated from Blackpool Beach by a small, protruding peninsula, which has a scenic unsealed route called The Esplanade linking the beaches. Popular for kitesurfing.
A 1.9-km-long, north-facing beach lining Onetangi. For many years it has been the site of the Onetangi Beach Races. Its western (and often inaccessible end at high tide) is clothes-optional.
Considered by many Waihekeans as the island's most perfect beach and, with nearby Garden Cove, a romantic place for picnicking. The beach is accessible only by boat or kayak, as its land access was blocked off by a private landowner.
Pizzas and curries.
Basic Indian, eat-in or takeaway.
Fish-based restaurant, bar and three hotel rooms (from $400).
Deli and cafe. Has a good selection of cheese, fruit and vegetables, and some ready meals.
Beach bar with food.
Irish-styled pub with reasonably priced beers including of course Guinness on tap. Nice food as well – particularly the Guinness Pie. Outside seating and pool table. Good place to watch the rugby or listen to live music on the weekends.
Tastings and food.
Tastings and food.
Cellar door wine tastings and two restaurants.
Small vineyard – almost a one man operation. Good Montepulciano.
Tastings and restaurant.
vineyard first planted in 1992. Cellar door tastings, bistro bar and restaurant.
Vineyard and brewery
Glamping tents in a pleasant garden setting, with plenty of birds. Some tents have their own outdoor kitchen, all have use of a shared indoor kitchen. Open from October - April, the tents are taken down over winter.
Backpackers run by Auckland Council accommodating about 40.
3 B&B rooms, a studio and two cottages. The owners also have Punga Lodge, with 10 rooms in the next street.
Large supermarket
four aisle supermarket
A large selection of wines both local and from elsewhere. If you want to taste Waiheke wines, then you can buy a card, to serve yourself samples from 32 different bottles - price of samples depends on the bottle price.
small supermarket, with food to go
By taxi
There are multiple taxi and shuttle services.
By personal vehicles
Cars, scooters and bicycles can be hired near the Matiatia ferry terminal, or you can bring bicycles on any of the passenger ferries.
By thumb
Hitchhiking is commonplace with locals and visitors. There are few destinations and distances are relatively short, which increases the chances of a driver stopping for hitchers.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Auckland · International · AKL
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