Located in the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park, Waiheke Island is the second-largest island in the gulf and a sunny little gem east of Auckland. The island is a lovely spot to taste some of New Zealand’s best wines, lounge on the most gorgeous beaches, admire the lovely sceneries, and be inspired by art. There are also Airbnb vacation rentals in Waiheke Island that provide amazing accommodations. Only a short ferry ride away from the bustling city of Auckland, Waiheke Island is the ultimate paradisical retreat on the sea that has its own warm and dry micro-climate, which is perfect for outdoor activities. A trip to Waiheke Island is sure to rejuvenate, refresh and inspire.
Day 1
Take a scenic 40-minute ferry ride from the Auckland Ferry Terminal, and admire the cerulean blue ocean on the way.
Ticket prices from Auckland to Waiheke Island and vice versa are 20 NZD (approximately 13.83 USD) for each trip. Do note that the ferry ticket is only for a one-way trip. An additional ticket has to be purchased on Waiheke Island at Matiatia Wharf to return to Auckland.
Upon arrival at Matiatia Wharf, you can take one of two options as listed below.
Option A: EcoZip Flying Fox
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Love this shot with our vineyard in it's beautiful winter colours as backdrop
Posted by EcoZip Flying Fox Adventures on Wednesday, June 12, 2019
Take a bus to Trig Hill when you sign up with Ecozip Adventures, and learn all about the island and its attractions en route by a tour guide. The bus will take you to the next destination: the Ecozip flying fox ziplines.
Ready for the ride of your life? Get on board the flying fox ziplines with a buddy and glide through the lush green canopies of the forest! Nothing is more refreshing than the cool sea breeze in your hair and a breath-taking view as you soar across the island. Afterwards, you can be shown around the island by Ecozip Adventures’ own tour guides.
EcoZip Adventures
Address: 150 Trig Hill Rd, Onetangi, Auckland 1081, New Zealand
Opening Hours: 9.00 am - 5.00 pm.
Duration: around 2 hours required.
Access: Free shuttle service from Matiatia ferry terminal.
Website: http://www.ecozipadventures.co.nz/
Contact: +64 (0)9 372 5646
Nearby Food: Peacock Sky Vineyard, Stonyridge Vineyard.
Option B: Walking By Nature guided walk
If you are not up for a zipline, no worries! Start your journey at Matiatia Wharf, and make your way to Walking by Nature, where they offer a range of guided walks suitable for beginners and more adventurous souls to embark on. However, there are several recommended walks for this itinerary so that you can spend your time fruitfully on the island and explore all of its features.
One recommended walk is the Bush and Beach Walk, which takes around 3.5 hours to complete, and will take you to the highest points on the island for the great views, and then to the forests, streams, and beaches on the island to introduce you to some magnificent flora and fauna of the island.
Another recommended walk is the Double Headland Walk, one of the more popular walks that takes about 4 hours, and will start at the Matiatia ferry dock. The guides will introduce you to the gorgeous islands in the gulf where you can spot some vibrant wildlife, then around the Te Pio Hiti Reserve and the Church Bay Headland to admire the beautiful city and sea views. Whichever walk you decide on, the guides will take you on an inspiring outdoor adventure you will not forget!
Walking By Nature
Address: 44 Hekerua Rd, Waiheke, Auckland 1081, New Zealand
Opening Hours: 8.00 am - 10.00 pm.
Duration: around 3 - 4 hours required.
Website: http://walkingbynature.nz/
Contact: +64 21 669 722
Nearby Food: Peacock Sky Vineyard, Stonyridge Vineyard.
Winetasting and lunch at Stonyridge Vineyard / Peacock Sky Vineyard
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Posted by Stonyridge Vineyard on Wednesday, August 19, 2020
Next, stop by Stonyridge Vineyards (closer to Walking by Nature) or Peacock Sky Vineyard (closer to Ecozip Adventures) for some lunch and exquisite wine tasting! New Zealand’s wines are well-known for their freshness due to the acidic fruits that grow on their cool soils, and Waiheke is known for excellent New Zealand wines. Stonyridge Vineyards is an exotic building covered with plants, guaranteed to make you feel subsumed within nature. Peacock Sky Vineyard, on the other hand, allows you to dine with a great view of the farmland.
Stonyridge Vineyard
Address: 80 Onetangi Rd, Auckland 1971, New Zealand
Opening Hours: 11.30 am - 5.00 pm.
Duration: around 2 hours required.
Website: http://www.stonyridge.co.nz/
Contact: +64 9 372 8822
Peacock Sky
Address: 152 Trig Hill Rd, Waiheke Island, Auckland 1081, New Zealand
Opening Hours: Sat-Sun: 11.00 am - 4.00 pm. Closed on weekdays.
Duration: around 2 hours required.
Website: http://www.peacocksky.co.nz/
Contact: +64 (0)9 950 4386
Connells Bay Sculpture Park
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Heralded by Lonely Planet as “one of the greatest properties we’ve ever seen”, this 60-acre coastal property is the vision of owners John and Jo Gow who wanted to unite art with nature. New Zealand Tourism
The tour costs 30 NZD (approximately 20.74 USD) per adult and 15 NZD (approximately 10.37 USD) per child.
Connells Bay Sculpture Park
Address: 142 Cowes Bay Road, Waiheke Island 1971, New Zealand
Opening Hours: Dependent on booking. Preferably from 10.30 am - 3.00 pm.
Duration: around 3 hours required.
Website: http://connellsbay.co.nz/sculptureparkoverview.html
Contact: +64 9-372 8957
Nearby Food: Poderi Crisci, Casita Miro.
Stony Batter Historic Reserve
Next, head to Stony Batter Historic Reserve, a marvellous site built during World War II, and gawk at the impressive gun sites and a Counter Bombardment (CB) Heavy Coast Defence Battery, which has three gun emplacements and a substantial network of underground chambers. The scenery is worth a picture too, with its rolling green hills and unusual rock formations strewn around. This historic reserve is perfect for inquisitive minds of all ages who want to learn about the island’s history, and it will take about 1.5 hours to explore.
Admission costs 8 NZD (approximately 5.53 USD) per adult and 5 NZD (approximately 3.46 USD) per child.
Stony Batter Historic Reserve
Address: Stony Batter, Auckland 1971, New Zealand
Opening Hours: 9.00 am - 5.00 pm.
Duration: around 2 hours required.
Website: http://www.fortstonybatter.org/
Dinner at Charlie Farley’s Restaurant and Bar / The Sand Shack
Lastly, wine and dine at Charley Farley’s Restaurant and Bar by Onetangi Beach, and enjoy the sea breeze. Take a stroll down the beach, make sandcastles, and if you are lucky, perhaps catch a horse or sealeg race! Alternatively, if you already went to Charley Farley’s for lunch, you may want to dine at The Sand Shack instead.
Charley Farley's Restaurant and Bar
Address: 21 The Strand, Onetangi, Auckland 1081, New Zealand
Opening Hours: 8.30 am - 11.00 pm. Closed on Mondays.
Duration: around 2 hours required.
Website: http://charliefarleys.co.nz/
Contact: +64 (0) 9 372 4106
The Sand Shack
Address: 1 Fourth Avenue, Onetangi, Auckland, New Zealand 1081
Opening Hours: 9 am - 6 pm. Closed on public holidays.
Duration: around 2 hours required.
Website: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Sand-Shack-Waiheke-Island/1653604778256427
Contact: +64 9-372 2565
Day 2
Waiheke Community Art Gallery and Whittaker's Musical Museum
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
More stunning paintings from Teri Parat gracing our walls until the 17th Jan. #waihekeartgallery #waihekeisland #nzartist #teriparat #nzartgallery
Posted by Waiheke Community Art Gallery on Thursday, January 7, 2021
Start the day at Waiheke Community Art Gallery, and admire the myriad of beautiful art pieces. The eclectic, refreshing, and unique collection comes from artists from Waiheke and all around New Zealand. Walk right next door to Whittaker’s Musical Museum, a cosy place which houses an extensive and impressive collection of antique musical instruments. Be inspired by the sounds of the past!
Admission for the Waiheke Community Art Gallery costs 20 NZD (approximately 13.83 USD) per person, while admission for the Whittaker’s Musical Museum costs 25 NZD (approximately 17.28 USD) per person.
Waiheke Community Art Gallery
Address: 2 Korora Rd, Oneroa, Waiheke Island 1081, New Zealand
Opening Hours: 10.00 am - 4.00 pm.
Duration: around 1.5 hours required.
Website: http://www.waihekeartgallery.org.nz/
Contact: +64 9-372 9907
Nearby Food: The Oyster Inn.
Whittaker's Musical Museum
Address: 2 Korora Rd, 1081, New Zealand
Opening Hours: 9 am - 6 pm. Closed on public holidays.
Duration: around 1.5 hours required.
Website: http://www.musicalmuseum.org/
Contact: +64 9-372 5573
Nearby Food: The Oyster Inn
Lunch at the Oyster Inn
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Posted by The Oyster Inn on Sunday, September 27, 2020
Just a short drive away, have lunch at the Oyster Inn, a cosy, down-to-earth restaurant with a rustic, old colonial style. At the Oyster Inn, freshness is paramount. Seafood and vegetables in particular are so fresh that they were caught or harvested on the island itself. Must tries in the restaurant include their extremely fresh oysters from around New Zealand and Waiheke Island.
The Oyster Inn
Address: 124 Oceanview Rd, Oneroa, Auckland 1081, New Zealand
Opening Hours: 9 am - 6 pm. Closed on public holidays.
Duration: around 2 hours required.
Website: http://www.theoysterinn.co.nz/
Contact: +64 (0)9 372 2222
Walking by Nature guided walking tour / Dead Dog Bay
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
If you missed it, now is a good time to embark on the guided walking tour by Walking by Nature. Otherwise, visit Dead Dog Bay instead! Despite the slightly macabre name, Dead Dog Bay is a lovely sculpture park located in a remote valley. Wander through the beautiful gardens and admire the avant-garde artwork dotted around the park. Also, visit the privately-owned rainforests and wetlands for a great view of Waiheke’s lush green landscapes.
Dead Dog Bay
Address: 100 Margaret Reeve Lane
Opening Hours: 9.00 am - 5.00 pm.
Duration: around 2 hours required.
Website: http://www.deaddogbay.co.nz/
Contact: +64 9 372 6748
Nearby Food: Stonyridge Vineyard, Te Whau Vineyard and Restaurant
Goldie Estate
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Our Cellar Door and Deli will be closed this Monday 25 March. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause. However, we are open Sat-Sun 12-4pm if you need your Goldie Estate fix over the weekend!
Posted by Goldie Estate on Thursday, March 21, 2019
The best value picnic hamper on Waiheke. thomoo
Goldie Estate
Address: 18 Causeway Rd, Surfdale, Auckland 1081, New Zealand
Opening Hours: 9 am - 6 pm. Closed on public holidays.
Duration: around 1.5 hours required.
Website: http://www.goldieestate.co.nz/
Contact: +64 9 923 4094
Nearby Food: Te Whau Vineyard and Restaurant.
Relax at Oneroa Beach
To conclude the Waiheke experience, visit the gems of Hauraki Gulf, Oneroa and Little Oneroa, The dazzling golden beaches and calm cool waters are the perfect escape. Lounge under the potuhawa trees on the pristine sands, and let all the tension in your body float away as the sun sets.
Dinner at Vino Vino Restaurant and Bar
Popular restaurant with wide sea views. mhallcool
Vino Vino Restaurant and Bar
Address: 153 Oceanview Rd, Oneroa, Auckland 1081, New Zealand
Opening Hours: 12.00 noon - 1.00 am.
Duration: around 2 hours required.
Website: http://vinovino.co.nz/Menus.html
Contact: +64 9-372 9888
Wai are you still waiting?!
An island packed with great wine and beautiful sceneries, Waiheke Island is the perfect getaway for city-dwellers looking for a relaxing and luxurious vacation. If you are looking for a romantic trip for your honeymoon, or a de-stressing holiday for your family, Waiheke Island is the place for you. The best time to visit Waiheke Island is during the spring and summer months of October to February. Expect to see lots of visitors during the peak spring period from October to April. Waiheke Island is also great to visit during the winter and autumn, if you are seeking a quieter vacation.
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