40 trip waiheke

Commuter passes

If you travel regularly to and from Waiheke Island with Fullers360, you may be eligible for discounted ferry tickets.

Tickets and passes

When purchasing online, please ensure you’re logged in to your MyFerry account so the ticket will populate within the MyFerry app, on the My Tickets page. Paper tickets purchased at the ticket office cannot be scanned into the app afterward.

Buy or renew Flexipass

Purchase trips in increments of 10. Valid for one year from the date of purchase.

Renew Monthly pass

Unlimited travel for one month. Includes 15% off food and free bus travel.

Understanding our Waiheke ferry fares

We offer a range of fares to provide value and flexibility when travelling to and from Waiheke Island. 

Ticket types

Single return trip ticket.

Purchase online here  or at a Fullers360 ticket office or on the MyFerry app.

40-trip ticket

• Adult: $597.50
• Child: $273

Monthly Pass

Unlimited travel to and from Waiheke for one calendar month from the first day of use.

Automatic entitlement to 15% off selected food and beverage items onboard.

• Free bus travel on Waiheke Island.
• Adult: $419
• Tertiary: $304.50
• Child: $184

Special terms and conditions apply,   read more here .

• Adult: $176.50 for 10 trips
• Tertiary: $101 for 10 trips
• Child: $80 for 10 trips

Please note, a maximum of four people may travel on Flexipass on any one sailing.

Tertiary students

• If you are a new student purchasing a tertiary pass, please see our friendly ticket office staff who will set you up with your tertiary new pass.
• Our tertiary monthly pass and FlexiPass require customer photos to be printed on them to confirm the identity of our tertiary passengers.
• Tertiary monthly and FlexiPass will be valid for one year, and will need to be registered each calendar year with a student ID.
• If eligible, to keep using a tertiary pass for the next tertiary year, passes will need to be re-registered with a valid student ID to continue using the pass. Before 31 March each year, bring in a valid student ID in to a Fullers360 ticket office to be sighted to be registered for another year. Your student ID card, in addition to one of the following, must be presented at the time of purchase and when registering or validating your ticket/pass: an AT tertiary ID sticker for the current year, a tertiary concession loaded on your AT Hop card, or your semester enrolment confirmation letter.

Senior travel

Unaccompanied minors.

If you wish to have your child travel unaccompanied on our services, please complete the  'Unaccompanied Minors Form'  for Fullers360 and hand it to the staff at our ticket offices prior to putting your child on-board. 

Read more information about our unaccompanied minors policy in the code of conduct section under children  here .

Explore Waiheke Island

Plan Your Trip to Waiheke Island: Best of Waiheke Island Tourism

Essential waiheke island.

Trending in the forums

Waiheke Island Is Great For

Wine tastings.

Art & history

Shore Excursions

• The Boatshed
• Te Whau Lodge
• Delamore Lodge
• Waiheke Island Resort
• Omana Luxury Villa
• Tantalus Estate Restaurant
• The Shed Te Motu
• Batch Winery
• Cafe Fenice
• Man O' War Vineyards
• Tantalus Estate Vineyard & Winery
• Waiheke Horse Tours
• Stony Batter Tunnels
• Oneroa Beach
• Wine on Waiheke PREMIUM WINE full days scenic and wine tasting
• Waiheke Island Gourmet Food and Wine Tour
• Waiheke Island: Zipline And Forest Walk
• Waiheke Island Hop-On Hop-Off Explorer Bus
• The Essence of Waiheke Wine Tour

A Simple Guide & Itinerary For The Ultimate Waiheke Island Day Trip!

Posted on Last updated: June 21, 2021

Categories New Zealand

Expert travel storyteller Jordan Adkins, founder of InspiredByMaps.com, brings a decade of adventures across 101 countries and 450+ UNESCO sites into rich, off-the-beaten-path narratives, melding ecological expertise with genuine, seasoned travel insights. His full bio can be found here.

One of Auckland’s best open secrets – sultry Waiheke is only 40 mins away from Auckland’s downtown via  a scenic ferry  and yet feels an entire world away.

Envisage endless vineyards melting into the turquoise sea, tempting white sandy beaches, stunning cliff top walks, and refreshing enclaves of native forest, and you can get a small sense of the appeal. D

If it is good enough for Miley Cyrus, Justin Timberlake, Beyonce, and Jeremy Clarkson, its good enough for us! Don’t miss the epic views at Cable Bay Vineyards, any of the trails (some of the best Auckland walks there are), and exploring off-the-beaten-track. Waiheke is just big enough to get lost on, but not so big that you won’t find a friendly local to point you back in the right direction when you do.

A bit of an adventure, every Aucklander has their own opinion and ideas about what to do in Waiheke. Here we present our itinerary for the ultimate Waiheke Island day trip , which includes visiting some of the great beaches, restaurants, and vineyards along with public transport information to get around the island to save you a bit more cash.

Extremely different than the vineyards of Queenstown and Wanaka , we think this is one of the world’s most fabulous islands and a true highlight of New Zealand. 

Just follow this simple plan and we promise you the ultimate Waiheke Island Day Trip. 

Of course, you need to account for weather, and you can add in a few more stops in the summer months as there is more light – or shorten in the winter months, but in general, this is how we recommend you visit. Of course, you can also make it really simple and book onto a Waiheke Island wine tour . .. but where would be the challenge in that…

We have also tried to give you the bus options, but Auckland Transport changes frequently. Buses will generally meet the ferry but after that – You can use the Auckland Transport app to see live bus locations and departures. We say this because Uber is not available on the island, and – well, taxis here and amongst the most expensive we have ever encountered in the world. 

A Simple Guide & Itinerary For The Ultimate Waiheke Island Day Trip 🍷

Page Contents

 6am-10am: Ferry Ride To Waiheke

10:00-12:00: breakfast at arcadia café and walk on palm beach, 12:00 – 15:30: wild on waiheke and surrounding vineyards, 15:30 – 19:00: explore oeneroa art café and beach, 19:00– 21:00: dinner at cable bay vineyard, where to stay in auckland.

From Albert park head North to Queens Wharf which is the closest port for getting to Waiheke Island. You’ll be walking through some of the fanciest parts of downtown Auckland and there are plenty of places to grab a coffee and a snack before you jump on the ferry. While you’re at the Waterfront, check out the beautiful harbor. You’ll be able to look out to Auckland Harbour Bridge and also check to see if there any Cruise Ships entering the harbor. These huge watercraft are hard to miss as they are easily the biggest boats in the harbor, towering over everything including a lot of the buildings on the mainland.

The best times to catch the ferry are at sunrise or sunset. If you’re visiting in June or July this means getting to the ferry for 6 o’clock and heading back after spending 12 hours on the island. That’s a long day, we understand so our advice is to aim to catch the ferry back at sunset which ranges from around 10:30 pm in the evening during summer and 6:00 pm in the winter.

Also, in the weekends and busy tourist months of December – February the ferry can be absolutely packed and you may need to arrive up to one hour advance to actually board your planned sailing…

Once you’ve arrived at Waiheke island it’s time to catch the 2/ 2x for about 15 minutes to the first stop on the itinerary, Arcadia Café just a few houses back from the beautiful Palm Beach. This friendly and welcoming café serves great seafood matched with fantastic wine pairings, but we’d recommend that you stop in for a beautiful brunch.

We’d recommend just a light bite here because soon you’re going to be heading on to Wild On Waiheke for lunch, but if you are looking for something more filling, here they have all the classics. The Eggs Benedict and Brioche French Toast are both dishes that are absolutely to die for, so take your pick depending on how sweet a tooth you’ve got. In terms of the lighter options, the cafe does great smoothies which will keep you refreshed and read ready to head to the beach and get some sand between your toes.

Palm Beach looks out and is a popular mooring spot for pleasure boats enjoying the beautiful island air. If you head West along the beach and over the rocks, you’ll find little palm beach, which is a great spot for a secluded dip in the beautiful clear waters.

The next step on the journey is out and on to Wild on Waiheke which just a 10-minute 2 / 2X bus ride from Palm Beach promises a host of activities including archery, laser clay pigeon shooting as well as tours around their fully operational vineyard. Summer is the perfect time for exploring their amazing vineyards.

They also offer group tastings of their specialist beers and wines were the local experts can talk you through the story of how Wild On Wines came to be and why Waiheke soil and climate make for such delicious and excellent flavors. Putiki O Kahu is in charge of the wine operations down at Wild On and recommends the wines taste best when enjoyed in beautiful relaxed surroundings and whilst playing a game of chess. It’s lucky that you can do exactly right there at Wild on where there is a free giant chess set and loads of spaces to sit and drink nestled between the hills and the gorgeous vineyards.

Wild On Waiheke offers an experience of the peaceful and playful nature of the island. Waiheke really is a place where you can get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and just enjoy delicious food and drink in beautiful green surroundings and there are plenty more vineyards within easy distance of Wild on Waiheke.

Within 5 minutes of Wild on Waiheke, you’ll be able to walk to the Tantalus Estate, Stonyridge Vineyard and Te Motu Vineyard. All the vineyards on this western side of Waiheke have taken their little slice of paradise to plant and grow beautiful grapes from around the world. Each offers a slightly different experience, and each has its own wine experts who have carefully crafted the taste from the surrounding land. If you’ve had a few glasses of wine already, just have fun exploring the hills in the interior of the island. Most of the landscape here is cultivated for wine production so it’s easy to spend hours wandering through row upon row of beautiful grapes.

Oneroa is the unofficial capital of Waiheke Island, and you can reach it by catching the Number 1/4/2 bus from just outside Wild On Waiheke. Again, look on Google Maps in advance, ask the staff or download the Auckland Transport app. The town features the main beach of the island which looks out to the north. Similar to Palm Beach you’ll find the bay packed with day boats on yachts. There is plenty to do in the hills and cliffs surrounding Oneroa including walking out to the headland or visiting the blowhole that separates Oneroa bay from Hekerua bay to the west.

The town proper is only a few shops, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t little gems to find here. If you think you’re going to need cash, here’s a good place to grab some as there aren’t loads of cash points dotted around the island. Many of the businesses here have been set up by retirees from Auckland , and shop owners are happy to welcome visitors and give them stories about the island. Shops that are worth looking out for are Victorian Gilt, a strange little vintage shop that sells antiques and collectibles. It’s a great place to get lost for half an hour as your rummage around its many corners, nooks, and crannies.

Another spot worth visiting is the community art gallery which was set up by a group of local artists. Here you can find 4 separate uncluttered exhibition spaces, that celebrate the light and air of Waiheke. There are original sculptures, bronzes and paintings, and drawings. It’s easy to see how Oneroa has become such a successful community for artists, so you might leave feeling inspired by the calm quiet atmosphere.

The final stop on our recommended tour of Waiheke is the beautiful Cable Bay Vineyard. It’s just a 20-minute walk up the road from Oneroa. The Cable Bay vineyard was first planted back in 1998 and the estate has now grown to include a winery, olive groves, organic gardens, not to mention a host of small lot vineyards.

The very first vintage produced from this incredible vineyard won a gold medal in London in 2002 and they’ve continued to produce incredible wine ever since. Amongst the restaurants and vineyards, you will find an impressive private art collection from some of New Zealand’s best artists. The art is on permanent display all year round, so keep your eye out for the beautiful works as you stroll around the complex.

Like so many places on Waiheke, Cable Bay champion sustainable and ecological ideas and have developed their organic gardens with that in mind. The gardens not only produce food for the restaurants but are also fed by let over waste from the kitchens, dramatically cutting down on the waste produced by the estate and also creating extra tasty food for the restaurants. When visiting Cable Bay try the food knowing that as much as physically possible is produced locally on the island, and nothing is wasted.

The most recent addition to the Cable Bay estate was added in 2016 when the olive grove was acquired alongside a small fruit tree orchid and 2500 manuka trees. The final ingredient in the recipe was the addition of several bee hives for honey production. Cable Bay truly is one of the jewels in Waiheke’s crown, with an incredible, sustainable complex delivers delicious food and experiences, all with incredible views over the hills, coast and back to Auckland and the mainland. It’s the perfect place to end your day on Waiheke. Watch the sun dip lower with a final glass of wine in hand before making your way back to the ferry with a 15-minute walk downhill. There is a forest trail if it is still daylight, or we recommend sticking to the main road in the evening. 

The journey back to the mainland under the setting sun is one that you simply won’t forget after a packed day on Waiheke Island.

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Albom Adventures

Capturing the essence of travel through photography

Inspiring New Zealand travel through photography

Day Trip to Waiheke Island: Vineyards, Beaches, or Adventure

So close to Auckland, yet a world away, a day trip to Waiheke Island is like a mini holiday. Here you will find some of New Zealand’s top vineyards, culinary excellence, unspoilt beaches, adventure opportunities, and historical sites all on a 92 square km subtropical paradise.

With easy 40-minute access by ferry (see below), no wonder it is such a popular destination for Auckland locals and visitors.

There are so many things to do on Waiheke Island; we have been known to go for days or even a week. However, with limited time or just a need for a break from the city, a Waiheke Island day trip always meets our needs.

Whether you are seeking a day of wine tasting with friends, romantic world-class meals overlooking expansive greenery, a day splashing in the water and building sandcastles with your family, or an adventure ziplining over vineyards, this island will quickly become your secret sanctuary.

Although, the secret is out now as Waiheke has earned worldwide recognition. So impressive is this tiny island that in 2016 it found itself listed amongst the world’s top ten travel regions ( Lonely Planet ), and more recently in 2021 on the reader’s choice list of the world’s top 30 islands ( Conde Nast Traveller ).

Photographers are drawn by the expansive views featuring vineyards on lush green hills gently rolling down to pristine beaches.

As American expats who have been living in and exploring NZ for over 20 years, we see things from both a local’s perspective and from that of a visitor. Therefore, we understand what it’s like to come here and have things be similar, but not always exactly what we are used to. We share the information on this page from this perspective.

Things to do on a Day trip to Waiheke Island

While we often combine a bit of everything when we head out on a Waiheke Island day trip, for easy reference, we have divided our list of things to do in Waiheke into five categories as follows:

• Wine and dine
• Sporting adventure
• Relaxing beach time
• Historical discovery
• Hanging around town

Wine and dine on your Waiheke Island day trip

Wine tasting is one of the popular things to do on Waiheke

Wine tastings and tours are one of the top reasons people take a Waiheke Island day trip.

After all, the region is well known for producing some of the country’s best wines. With about 30 wineries and vineyards to choose from, you are sure to find a new favourite wine . We recommend choosing a mix of both well-known and lesser-known labels.

You can just rock up to most of the vineyards, locate their tasting room, and be impressed by both the knowledge and passion of the sommelier as well as the rich round flavours of the varieties on offer.

However, if you want the advantage of a designated driver and someone to guide you at the wineries, check out one of these top-rated tours (note that ferry transport is not included on any of these tours):

• Premium Full-Day Waiheke Wine Tour : Spend the day with top-rated Enjoi Waiheke and visit 3-4 wineries, each offering 3-5 complimentary tastings. You will travel via a luxury air-conditioned shuttle. Pick up and optional drop off at the Mataiatia ferry terminal. Reserve your full-day tour here .
• Waiheke Double Decker Bus Wine Tour : Visits 2 wineries, each offering four tastings. Travel is on Daisy, Robbie’s fun bus, an authentic double-decker bus brought over from London. There will be time for a self-hosted lunch in Oneroa Beach. Pick up and optional drop off at the ferry terminal in Mataiatia. Reserve your (discounted) Double Decker bus tour here .
• Waiheke Island Premium Food & Wine Tour : This one is more than just wine tasting, it visits three boutique vineyards, samples fresh Waiheke oysters, and treats you to a vineyard platter lunch. Reserve your premium food and wine tour here .
• Self-guided hop-on-hop-off bus tour : With many of the 19 key island stops being Waiheke Island vineyards, the hop-on-hop-off bus is another great way to get around without having to drive. See “Getting around” for details.

Enjoy a meal

There are plenty of impressive restaurants, and having a meal is always on our list of things to do in Waiheke, and we certainly have not come close to trying them all. But amongst what we have tried, Casita Miro is our favourite and the one we tend to return to rather than trying somewhere new.

Located on the Miro Estate, Casita Miro features some of the best Spanish food we have had since our living in Costa Brava, Spain on a long term home exchange.

Sample some olive oil

It’s not just grapes that grow well here. In fact, Waiheke Island also grows and produces world-renowned olive oil. You can visit and sample at several olive oil mills, such as:

• Matiatia Grove
• Azzuro Epicurean
• Rangihoua Estate
• TROG (Totara Road Olive Grove)

Have an adventurous Waiheke Island day trip

Zipline over the vineyards

EcoZip Waiheke will pump your adrenaline as you fly over vineyards on a zipline, enjoying both the thrill of speed and the impressive 360° views. You will travel across three ziplines, each over 200m in length. Best of all, the dual ziplines allow sharing the fun alongside a friend.

All safety gear and a briefing are provided. The 1.5km return to base just adds to the fun, with a guided hike through the regenerating native rainforest. This link often has discounts for Ecozip .

Test your skills in clay shooting or archery

If you are looking for something a bit different, check out Wild on Waiheke . Here, you can shoot archery among the vines, or try your hand at laser clay-bird shooting. Plus, there are several free-to-use games like giant chess, noughts & crosses, petanque, and a trampoline. It’s also home to Waiheke Island Brewery, the Wild Estate Vineyard, and a restaurant.

Get on the water

With crystal clear waters, Waiheke Island is the perfect place to try out stand-up paddleboarding or to give kayaking a go. There are equipment rental spots on various beaches.

Horse riding Waiheke

If you want to enjoy vast island views from the vantage point of horseback, check out this option .

Waiheke beaches: perfect for a family Waiheke Island day trip

Pristine and unspoilt, there are many beaches surrounding this subtropical paradise. Best of all, the many inlets usually make finding a protected beach a possibility, even on a windy day.

Depending on our goal (relaxing, romantic, kids, water sports, or fishing), we have a few favourite beaches , although we have never made a bad choice.

If you only have time for one beach and you want a mix of it all, head to the calm blue waters and white sand of Oneroa Beach. A well-protected anchorage from the prevailing winds, it’s popular with visitors arriving via private boat, those arriving via ferry, and locals.

Discover some of the history at Stony Batter Historic Reserve

History buffs are fascinated by the remains of a World War II Counter Bombardment Heavy Coast Defence Battery at Man O’War Bay.

We visited Stony Batter years ago when the public was still permitted to enter the series of underground tunnels and concrete chambers and view the three gun emplacements. Read more on the history here .

Save time for a walk around Oneroa Village on your Waiheke Island day trip

Before heading back to the ferry, we stop in Oneroa Village. An artesian village, we like to pop into a few of the specialty stores and usually end up bringing home something new that has been created by one of the talented locals.

When we have a car, and when we are staying multiple days on the island, we also make our way to Ostend or Surfdale for more local shopping. And, if it’s Saturday morning, we head to the Ostend Market.

Oneroa village is filled with interesting artwork and sculpture, and we seem to find new pieces on each visit. Our final stop, if we haven’t already been, is Island Gelato, located in a converted container.

Getting to Waiheke Island

Located in the Hauraki Gulf , Waiheke Island is an approximately 40-minute ferry ride from Auckland CBD.

Unless you have a helicopter, you will need to take some type of boat to get to Waiheke Island. The three main options are:

Passenger ferry to Waiheke : Easy walk on and walk off; the 40-minute Auckland to Waiheke ferry is the most popular way to get to the island. Passengers can also board the ferry in Devonport. Reserve your ferry ticket here or reserve a ferry ticket with the hop-on-hop-off bus here .

Car ferry to Waiheke Island : If you want to self-drive on the island, you can either hire a car or bring your own on the car ferry. We have done both. Catch the vehicle ferry from either Wynyard Quarter or Half Moon Bay. There are often discounts available depending on the day and time of your sailing. Check for discount options for the car ferry from Half Moon Bay or the car ferry from Wynard Quarter .

Private boat to Waiheke : With protected inlets all around the island, it’s very popular with recreational yachts. When it’s windy, we simply sail around to a different anchorage.

Getting around Waiheke Island

Narrow and windy roads often find tourists driving slower than the locals. This is often an inconvenience for everyone, as the slower traffic annoys locals while the fast traffic is nerve-wracking to visitors.

That said, it wasn’t bad enough to scare us away and we have both hired a car and brought our own on different visits. We have also taken anchorage, thus being on foot in different parts of the island.

Remember: Always give way to sheep crossing the road .

Regardless of how you get to the island, here are the key options for getting around Waiheke:

• Self-drive – Either arrive via the vehicle ferry with your own car or hire one once you arrive.
• Taxi – There are usually several taxis waiting at Matiatia Bay, where the passenger ferry arrives.
• Public bus – The public bus will take you around the island, and there is a daily fare cap of $20 if you have an AT Hop Card .
• Hop-on Hop-off bus – If you’re visiting on the weekend (Friday to Sunday) you can customize your day with any of the 16 stops on this hop-on-hop-off bus. It includes key vineyards and beaches. Reserve the hop-on-hop-off bus only here or check for a discount on the hop-on bus with the return ferry ticket .
• Take a tour : See above.

Save on your NZ trip with these resources

These are our go-to companies when we travel. We believe this list to be the best in each category. You can’t go wrong using them on your trip too.

• Flights: we use Expedia for the best and cheapest flight options.
• Accommodations: we use Booking.com (hotels), Bookabach (self-contained in NZ), or Hostelworld (budget).
• Cars (gas or electric): we use RentalCars to search for deals and dealer ratings.
• Motorcycles : we have heard good things about BikesBooking .
• Campervans or Motorhomes : we use Campstar where Albom Adventures readers get a 3% discount.
• Activity discounts : we check Bookme.com for discounts of up to 70% on activities.
• Private guides : we love the private guides at Tours by Locals .
• Travel Insurance: while not required, we always opt for travel insurance and start at InsureMyTrip to compare coverage plans.

Check out our travel resources page for more companies that we use when you travel.

Save for later

If you enjoyed this article, please share it on social media and save it for later on Pinterest.

How will you enjoy your Waiheke Island day trip?

More from Auckland you might also like … starting with these 75 free and nearly free things to do in the city

Rainbow’s End Stratosfear: Join the Thrills at this Auckland Theme Park

Gluten-Free Hibiscus Coast Restaurants: Orewa to Gulf Harbour

Queen Street Auckland: Self-Guided Walk Uncovers Quirky Facts

Auckland to Tauranga Itinerary Loop: 16 Unique Stops

For more tips … join Explore New Zealand, the country’s largest NZ travel and photography group on Facebook (free).

About Rhonda Albom

Capturing the essence of travel through photography, Rhonda Albom is the primary author and photographer at Albom Adventures. She is an American expat based in New Zealand. She travels the world with her husband.

Reader Interactions

August 26, 2020 at 5:22 pm

Nice post. Thanks for sharing your wonderful experience with us. Loved your blog!

Paul Pietrangelo

August 18, 2020 at 7:27 am

You know, I would love to go ziplining but $119 in a very short time is a waste to me. The beach sound better for me. Have a great day Rhonda.

Cruiin Paul

August 14, 2020 at 6:55 pm

I’d definitely be trying out the ziplining! Oneroa looks lovely too.

August 14, 2020 at 5:13 am

I’m so afraid of heights and would definitley skip zip lining, but clay shooting sounds like fun! I also am a huge of wine tastings, so I wouldn’t mind going to Waiheke Island just for the wine tours.

August 14, 2020 at 3:23 am

I’ve always wanted to visit New Zealand but I’d never heard of Waiheke Island! It looks incredible, the beaches, stand up paddle-boarding and the wine tour! Wow!

August 14, 2020 at 12:29 am

Looks like a great place to go for a day trip or a weekend getaway. My list of things to see in New Zealand keeps getting longer and longer.

August 14, 2020 at 12:24 am

Historical discovery would feature first in my list. It must be thrilling to visit the underground tunnels and concrete chambers and view the 3 gun emplacements. Thanks for the tips on how to get to Waiheke Island and the tips on how to get around Waiheke.

August 14, 2020 at 12:10 am

WOW! It all sounds so amazing, I would have trouble deciding what to do haha!

August 13, 2020 at 11:47 pm

This looks so beautiful! Wine tasting on an island seems like the perfect way to relax. I really want to visit NZ someday!

August 13, 2020 at 9:39 pm

I simply love versatile places, this would be a spot I’d pick to stay a couple of days and from there do and see all that is on offer. Lovely!

Punita Malhotra

August 13, 2020 at 7:23 pm

We missed this trip when we were in Auckland, but looking back, it seems so perfect for a day. So close and so different from the big city. Wine country and beaches always delight.

August 12, 2020 at 9:49 am

So many fascinating possibilities for the traveler to NZ! Lovely!

August 11, 2020 at 12:29 pm

Ah, wineries, culinary delights and unspoiled beaches! What can be better? I’ve never heard of Waiheke Island, so thanks for letting me know about it. Like always, your post provides a lot of detailed information on things to do on the island, as well as practical information for accommodations and transportation. I’d love to paddle board there, the water seems very calm. Another beautiful spot to add to my long bucket list!

Linda (LD Holland)

August 11, 2020 at 11:49 am

It looks like we will definitely have to plan a visit to Waiheke Island when we finally get planning for New Zealand. A place with award-winning wine and food would certainly be a great reason to visit. I like the idea of a bus tour or premium tour with food. But with fun adventures and beaches too, we might want to plan for a longer stay. Good to know there are some AirBNB options.

L. Diane Wolfe

August 11, 2020 at 9:42 am

That’s a lot for one small island.

August 11, 2020 at 2:40 am

This post makes me miss New Zealand so much! Sadly, I wasn’t able to visit any wineries when I was there. I can’t wait to go back and explore more.

Alex J. Cavanaugh

August 11, 2020 at 1:50 am

Ziplining over a winery would be really cool.

August 11, 2020 at 1:41 am

I would love to go paddle boarding and then wine tasting. Sounds lovely! And I would make someone else drive!

August 10, 2020 at 3:10 pm

I always love an island. I’ll have to check it out when I go back to NZ. Wine tasting and beaches I’d try out.

August 10, 2020 at 3:02 pm

Such a cool island with so much to do – art, history, beaches, wine, food…would love to visit!

August 10, 2020 at 8:35 am

I’d never heard of Waiheke Island before but have now added it to my bucketlist. This post is so helpful- I’d especially love to check out the beach

August 10, 2020 at 8:33 am

Woww, such an awe post. You have covered everything that I don’t have to look further. New Zealand is in my bucket list and I have saved this post for my future travel to NZ. Thanks for sharing this.

August 17, 2020 at 10:49 am

I think this island has everything! But you had me at the beaches and vineyard! I’d love to travel to New Zealand soon

samantha karen

August 10, 2020 at 7:30 am

I love both beaches and vineyards so you’e got me hooked! Waiheke Island is a new destination to add to my travel list becuase it looks amazing. I would love to walk Stony Batter, the views are stunning!

August 10, 2020 at 5:30 am

Never heard of this place but looks amazing! Will Pin for my next NZ trip.

August 10, 2020 at 2:25 am

I love the idea of dual zip lines over the vineyard! Adding this to my NZ bucket list!

August 10, 2020 at 1:51 am

I remember going to Waiheke Island on my trip to New Zealand and it was one of the highlights of my Auckland stay. I didn’t do half the fun activities you mentioned since I was a young traveler on a budget but spent the day on the beaches and walking around the island. I’d love to go back now and try some of these things including getting some nice food and wine

August 10, 2020 at 12:32 am

Wow what a great place to go for a day trip! I’ve never heard of it but it looks amazing!

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Waiheke Island: The Complete Guide

TripSavvy / Taylor McIntyre

Waiheke Island

With around 10,000 residents, Waiheke Island is the most populated island in the Hauraki Gulf, one of Auckland's two principal harbors. It's located about 12 miles from downtown Auckland and is accessible by ferry or charter plane. While it's a popular destination for overseas and domestic travelers, it's also home to a thriving community. Many Waiheke Islanders commute to Auckland to work, while others are involved in the island's booming wine production .

Waiheke Island is an ideal day or overnight trip destination from Auckland, as it offers many natural attractions but is very close to the city. A major drawcard is the island's many wineries—there are about 30 dotted around the hilly island. Other attractions include the beaches, nature walks, sailing adventures, and pure relaxation.

If you're thinking of adding some time on Waiheke Island to your Auckland itinerary, here's everything you need to know.

How to Get to Waiheke Island

It's possible to get to Waiheke Island by ferry or air, but most travelers take the ferry from central Auckland because it's the cheaper option. The journey is between 40 and 90 minutes, depending on the service you choose and where you're coming from. It's a very scenic cruise as you sail through the Hauraki Gulf, with the Auckland skyline receding behind you.

Many ferries run between Auckland and Waiheke Island every day. These are not just tourist boats, as many Waiheke Island residents use them to get to central Auckland for work. Ferries depart from the Auckland City Ferry Terminal on Quay Street in central Auckland. This ferry terminal is most convenient for travelers staying in or around the central city. Other ferries also leave from Half Moon Bay in north-east Auckland and Devonport on the North Shore. Ferries run from early in the morning to after midnight, so you're likely to find one that suits your schedule.

Most ferries arrive on Waiheke Island at the main port, Matiatia Wharf, but some go to Orapiu Wharf and Kennedy Point. Most services are passenger only, but there are some car ferries too. If you don't have your own car, this isn't a problem, as there are bus services on Waiheke Island connecting the main settlements. Many travelers also opt for some kind of guided tour (a particularly good idea if you plan on drinking at wineries, as nobody has to be designated driver and miss out!).

What to See and Do on Waiheke Island

The main town on Waiheke Island is Oneroa, from where there are views of the Coromandel Peninsula. Oneroa is close to the main port at Matiatia Wharf, so it is easy to reach, even if you don't have a car. It's a great place to hang out for a while, as there are boutique shops, cafes, bars, art galleries, and even a little cinema in Oneroa.

With so many vineyards on the island, there are many places to drink and eat. Guided vineyard tours are a good idea, as you'll be driven around to some of the best. These usually include some tastings, and often a meal as well, or you can purchase a meal extra.

The beaches of Waiheke Island are beautiful, and perfect for some downtime after sightseeing in busy Auckland. Oneroa Beach is ideal if you're just on a day trip to Waiheke, as it's easily accessible. Native New Zealand pohutukawa trees along the coast provide some shade. If you're staying a bit longer, add Palm Beach, Onetangi Beach, Enclosure Bay, and Sandy Bay to the itinerary.

Waiheke is a very hilly island, and there are many walking tracks with sweeping views. A walk through the Onetangi Reserve will take you through kauri and nikau forests, and can take up to two hours, depending on how far you want to go. The reserve is near Onetangi Beach, so you can combine a walk with some beach time. The Church Bay Circuit is a three-hour loop that's easily accessible from the passenger ferry terminal. The Whakanewha Regional Park also offers moderate walks of around 2.5 hours. Although Waiheke isn't a pest-free reserve (as some other islands in the Hauraki Gulf are), you may still see a kereru, grey warblers, fantails, kingfishers, tuis, blue penguins, dotterels, and kaka parrots while walking on the island.

With a long coastline and pretty beaches, kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding are fun activities. Various tour operators offer guided tours of the coastline from your watercraft of choice.

To take the activity level up a few notches, cycling and mountain biking is also big on Waiheke Island. You can hire bikes near the ferry terminal, or join a tour. Be warned that the terrain is hilly, so if you're not an experienced cyclist, you might want to stick to walking. If you're into your mountain biking, though, you'll enjoy the tracks on Waiheke.

Where to Eat and Drink

There are many wineries on Waiheke Island, and many of these serve snacks or full meals. For a special lunch or dinner, you can't go past a winery. But, there are other types of establishment, too, including cafes and bars in Oneroa and elsewhere.

Among the plethora of wineries, Wild on Waiheke  is especially good fun because, along with wine and beer tastings, it offers free activities like petanque and volleyball. You can also pay a bit extra and have a go at archery and laser clay bird shooting!

Aside from wineries, another beautiful spot is the Waiheke Honey House and Cafe . Set amid regenerating wetlands and hundreds of olive trees, the Honey House serves meals, ice creams, and of course honey. There's a shaded deck to sit out on, and a boardwalk.

Seafood lovers shouldn't pass up the chance to try fresh Waiheke Island oysters. The Te Matuku Oyster farm sits in the unpolluted Te Matuku Marine Reserve off the coast of Waiheke Island, and the oysters it produces are regarded as some of the best in New Zealand. They're available at restaurants throughout Waiheke.

Tips for Visiting

• Despite being part of Auckland and close to the city, Waiheke Island has a slightly different climate compared to elsewhere in Auckland. It's a bit drier and gets more sunshine hours. This makes it an ideal environment for both wine growing and lounging at the beach.
• Waiheke Island is a very popular summer destination, and it's especially busy during the New Zealand summer school holidays, which run from mid-late December to the end of January/beginning of February. Locals book out accommodation, including campsites, weeks, and even months in advance. If you want to stay on the island, you'll need to book early or come at a different time. Outside of the school holidays in the summer, it's still busy on weekends but less so mid-week.
• Every second year, Waiheke Island hosts the Sculpture on the Gulf arts festival. The work of New Zealand and international sculptors and installation artists is displayed around the island. A walking trail can be followed around the island to see the various sculptures, which are set up in beautiful locations, and make for great photo subjects. The last Sculpture on the Gulf festival was held in 2019, so the next will be in 2021. It's usually in late summer or early autumn and runs for about a month.

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11 of the Best Things to Do on Waiheke Island (And Is It Only for Wine Drinkers?)

By Author Jon Algie

Posted on Last updated: February 7, 2020

Categories New Zealand , Oceania

Waiheke Island, in Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf, is home to some of New Zealand’s most scenic vineyards. That obviously means wine is a big reason for visiting, but is it the only one? I’m not a wine drinker (maybe my taste buds haven’t matured yet…?) but still found heaps of fun things to do on Waiheke Island, including beaches, hikes and viewpoints. Oh, I also tried some wine (my wife is a fan) — keep reading for a look at what Waiheke Island has to offer.

Getting to Waiheke Island

Ferries leave from Auckland Harbour every half hour — it takes around 40 minutes and you’ll see a couple of other Hauraki Gulf islands, including Rangitoto (which apparently has some nice hikes). Ferries start from Auckland at 5.30 am (6 am on Saturday / 7 am on Sunday) and the last boat back to Auckland is at 12.30 am (11 pm on Sunday). If you’re taking the hop on hop off bus like we did, the last bus arrives at the ferry terminal in time for the 7 pm ferry. If you want to stay longer I’d recommend finishing your day at Mudbrick Vineyard or Cable Bay Vineyard, as they are a short walk from the ferry terminal. The ferry drops you off at Matiatia Bay and from there you can rent a car, travel by hop on hop off bus (which is what we did) or public bus.

Walks Around Matiatia Bay

Walk to the left of the ferry terminal and you’ll find a rugged beach which leads to some hiking trails. We walked up to a track above Owhanake Bay and got some great views. You can walk all the way to Oneroa on these tracks — it takes around two hours and it seems like it could be fun.

Oneroa Village

The first stop on either bus is Oneroa Village — it’s only around 2 km from Matiatia and is the main tourist town on Waiheke Island. This tiny beach town has some cool places to eat and drink (including the all-important gelato stall) and a few galleries and shops. You could easily hang out in Oneroa for a few hours (or the whole day if you’re feeling lazy). From a few places in town you can see right over Oneroa Beach, one of the best beaches on Waiheke Island.

Oneroa Beach / Little Oneroa Beach

From town you can easily walk down to the beach. It’s a good place to hang out on a summer’s day (bring your own shade though) and the walk to Little Oneroa Beach is a good excuse to stretch your legs. You can walk there along the beach at low tide or there’s a path / road above it.

Goldie Estate

This is the first winery you’ll come to if travelling by bus and it’s probably the prettiest of the lot. It’s also the oldest vineyard on Waiheke Island, having been established in 1978. We arrived a bit late to try any wine (not that I would have appreciated it anyway) but we hung out above the vines for a while — such a peaceful spot! Goldie’s Estate is open from 12 pm – 4.30 pm and you can do some wine tasting for $15.

This is a slightly less touristy village, but it does have a few eating and drinking options as well as some places to stay (including Waiheke Island’s only motel). We stayed a 15-minute walk from Ostend, at Waiheke Guesthouse, and it made for a decent base for exploring the island.

More Vinyards

Just after Ostend you’ll find a big clump of vineyards, including Tantalus Estate and Stonyridge Vineyard. If you want to visit a few different vineyards and are short on time this is a good place to go. The only downside is that these vineyards don’t have the views that you’ll see at some of the others. Spending time at a vineyard is one of the best things to do on Waiheke Island and it can be a bit hard to choose which ones to visit — you can’t go wrong with the ones in this area but there are heaps of others.

We did a wine and beer tasting at Tantalus Estate and it was a good introduction to the tastes of the region. There’s also a small museum across the road which could be worth a look.

Onetangi Beach

This long stretch of beach is good for a walk or a drink by the water. You can also walk up the hill at the south end of the beach for some nice views. This is rated as one of the best beaches on Waiheke Island, and it didn’t disappoint. If you want to hang around a while you’ll find a couple of bars / restaurants and a small shop.

Palm Beach (and Little Palm Beach)

Palm Beach isn’t on the hop on hop off route, so we ended up walking there from Ostend (around 2 km). You can also take the public bus. Palm Beach itself is really nice, but the real highlight was the walk to and from Little Palm Beach.

You can walk to Little Palm Beach easily at low tide (although your feet might get a bit wet), but make sure to take the hilltop track either there or on the way back. The views over Little Palm Beach are the best on Waiheke Island (the best we saw at least).

We decided to try and walk from Palm Beach to Goldie Estate and saw some awesome views from the road. Then a friendly woman stopped and gave us a ride!

Batch Winery

Next up on this things to do in Waiheke Island is, you guessed it, another vineyard. Batch Winery is the highest vineyard on the island and has some awesome views. We ate lunch there and had a free wine tasting (they are free if you spend over $20 on food). I can’t say I enjoyed the wine (Gia did though) but the food was excellent, and you can’t argue with the views.

The Cascades

Just across the road from Batch Winery you’ll find a track to the cascades. I thought there might be some views along the way, but you could barely see the ocean below and the cascades were disappointing to say the least. Skip it and have an extra glass of wine at Batch Winery if you’re into that kind of thing. There are other walks in the area too — let me know if you’ve done any and if you’d recommend them!

Mudbrick Vineyard / Cable Bay Vineyard

We finished up our time on Waiheke Island with a drink at Cable Bay Vineyard. There are some nice views from the bar / restaurant but good luck getting a table that take advantage of them. We also stopped off at Mudbrick Estate and again, the views were great. You can’t go wrong with either of these places, so pick one (or both) and enjoy a relaxing couple of hours before your ferry back to Auckland.

Other Things to Do on Waiheke Island

We, and most other tourists, stuck to the bus routes on our trip to Waiheke Island. If you rent a car you can see a lot more. Man O’ War Vineyards looks cool and there seems to be some nice walks on the eastern side of the island. I wouldn’t worry too much though — there is a lot to see on the “tourist trail” and you can easily fill up a day or two by sticking to the bus routes.

Waiheke Island Itinerary

Most people visit Waiheke Island on a day trip from downtown Auckland, and a day is long enough to see most of the things on this list. If you only have a day I’d recommend spending some time in Oneroa, then to Goldie’s Estate for a bit of wine tasting, followed by some more wine related fun at one of the inland vineyards, before heading to either Palm Beach or Onetangi Beach. On the way back stop at Mudbrick or Cable Bay for a final drink.

If you’re not into wine you’ll want spend most of your time in Oneroa, Palm Beach and the hiking trails around Matiatia. If you have two days, you can do all that and have heaps of time to relax. We really enjoyed our time on Waiheke Island and were glad we decided to stay the night.

Getting Around Waiheke Island

The hop on hop off bus is a good option — it takes you to most of the popular spots and you get an informative commentary along the way. The only weakness are that it doesn’t go to Palm Beach, costs a little more than the public bus and doesn’t start as early.

The public buses get quite full (we saw heaps of people standing at times) but it’s a bit cheaper and there’s a service to Palm Beach. The local bus doesn’t go up to Batch Winery though. Or, you can rent a car. This would be a good option if you want to explore the island more thoroughly. There are lots of places you can’t get to by bus, including some hiking trails, viewpoints, beaches and vineyards.

Where to Stay on Waiheke Island

Your best bet is to stay in either Oneroa or Ostend – those towns have the best eating and shopping options and well connected by bus. There are also heaps of holiday rentals on Waiheke Island – these are very popular with locals over the summer period. There are a few options on Booking.com – if you’re only staying a night or two those are probably better options than organising a holiday rental.

Are you planning a trip to New Zealand? Check out my other posts (I have over 40 now!).

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Waiheke Island

• Food and wine-tasting
• Flying-fox zipline
• Beaches and walking trails

40 mins from Auckland

Waiheke is a haven of beautiful vineyards, olive groves and beaches, all just a 40-minute ferry ride from downtown Auckland.

Things to do in Waiheke Island

Explore the Island of wine and the best culinary experiences it has to offer.

In landscape, lifestyle and experience, Waiheke is a world away.

The white sandy beaches at Oneroa, Palm Beach and Onetangi slope gently down into the Hauraki Gulf and are perfect for swimming, kayaking, or having a picnic.

If you’re a walker, explore the island’s trails which meander along cliff tops, down to the beaches and into cool enclaves of native forest. At the eastern end of the island the Stony Batter walkway leads you to a system of World War II gun emplacements and underground tunnels. 

To stay overnight, rent a beach house and wake up to the sound of the waves, if you’re on a budget, go to a friendly backpacker hostel. 

Getting around is easy too. Catch one of the regular ferries that run to Waiheke from downtown Auckland. Once on the island, there are public buses and taxis, or you can hire a mountain bike, motor scooter or car. And if you've already got a car or bike, you can bring it over with you on the car ferry.

Explore Waiheke Island

Find things to do, find places to stay, find transport, find a multi-day tour.

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Finding Alexx

| Bucket list adventures around the globe

Australasia , New Zealand · March 25, 2022

15 Epic Things to Do on Waiheke Island

Planning a Waiheke Island day trip and not sure where to start? There are loads of things to do on Waiheke Island whether you’re looking to drink, dine, explore or all three.

I have a confession to make… I lived in Auckland for a full five years before I ever made it to Waiheke Island. I know, useless! I was a student when I first moved up there and Waiheke Island conjured up images of fancy dresses and expensive wineries, neither of which I could afford.

While I wasn’t entirely wrong (the wineries can be pricey!), on my 15+ visits since then, I have learnt that there are plenty of things to do on Waiheke Island no matter your budget or your travel preferences.

So from vineyard tours to adrenaline activities to some of New Zealand’s best beaches, here are 15 epic things to do on Waiheke Island, plus some tips on how to get to Waiheke, how to get around the island and where to stay while you’re there.

Waiheke Island travel guide: A summary How to get to Waiheke Island: Catch the passenger ferry from downtown Auckland or the car ferry from Half Moon Bay, or book a helicopter flight if you’re that way inclined! How to get around Waiheke Island: You can catch local buses, book a hop-on hop-off pass , hire bikes or ebikes, catch taxis or rent a car Where to stay in Waiheke Island: Jake’s Place Oneroa for somewhere mid-range or Omana Luxury Villa if you want to splurge Best wine tour: We absolutely loved our day with Waiheke Wine Tours Best winery: So hard to pick one but my top three are Tantalus, Mudbrick and Man o’ War Best meal: Hands down the High Tea at Batch Winery, three tiers of seasonal, local bites topped off with a pavlova that will blow your mind

The best things to do on Waiheke Island

Visit your favourite winery.

Let’s kick this list off with one of the most obvious things to do on Waiheke Island, a visit to some of New Zealand’s best wineries.

There are more than 25 vineyards that take advantage of the island’s microclimate to produce award-winning vintages, with a particular focus on reds like Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. But if you’re not a red wine drinker (I’m not!) don’t stress, there’s plenty of other options to suit your palate.

The two most popular wineries on Waiheke Island are Cable Bay and Mudbrick, both in Oneroa within walking distance of one another (900m apart). Waiheke Island is a super popular day trip from Auckland and many local revellers will hop on the ferry, make their way to Cable Bay or Mudbrick, and enjoy the food, wine and views for the day before heading home again.

Other wineries that are worth adding to your list are:

• Tantalus Estate
• Casita Miro
• Batch Winery
• Wild Estate
• Passage Rock

All of these wineries offer cellar door wine tastings (usually at a cost of $5-15 that’s redeemable if you buy any bottles) and some offer full winery tours that show you the behind the scenes process.

Do a wine tour

If you want to make the most of your time (and want to avoid having to draw straws for a sober driver…), booking a wine tour is by far the best way to see Waiheke’s wineries.

My top Waiheke wine tour recommendation is the aptly-named Waiheke Wine Tours , they’re locally owned and operated and offer a bunch of different tour options from budget-friendly shared tours to private tours for your group to food and wine tours and even gin tasting tours!

A group of friends and I recently tried out their boutique wine tour, where our legendary driver Dave took us to Stonyridge, Tantalus, Batch, Mudbrick and Cable Bay, with short and sharp Waiheke history lessons as we drove from A to B. You get to choose your wineries and lunch stop on the private tours but we took their expert recommendations to ensure we experienced a good range of what Waiheke has to offer.

The cheapest option is $110 for a shared tour , you can catch the 10am ferry (ticket purchased separately) and will get picked up at the wharf at 10.40am for a five hour tour around three vineyards for a total of about 15 tastings, plus a lunch stop (lunch at own cost). You’ll get dropped back at the ferry in time for the 4pm sailing, or you can book the tour with a local bus stop pick up and drop off if you’re staying on the island.

A Waiheke wine tour is one of my favourite suggestions for an Auckland day trip or girls’ weekend!

Explore by bike

Waiheke is covered in steep, windy roads, but if you’re up for a physical challenge, another popular way to see the island is by bike or e-bike. I highly recommend an e-bike, unless you’re used to cycling in hilly terrain.

Full day e-bike hire through WaihekE Bikes costs $110 with free delivery to the wharf or your accommodation and 12 hours of ride time. If you’d prefer the added security of following a guide, you can book a guided tour for $150 per group.

There’s an array of bike itineraries to pick and choose from, like a 2 hour coastal ride along the best beaches, or a 3 hour loop on the lesser visited eastern side of the island.

Try the hop-on hop-off bus

If you’re visiting on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday between December and April, the Fullers Hop-On Hop-Off bus is a brilliant way to explore the island.

For just $68 per adult you’ll get a return ferry ticket from downtown Auckland as well as a day pass to hop on and off the bus at 16 different locations around Waiheke.

Enjoy high tea

One of my personal favourite things to do on Waiheke Island, high tea at Batch Winery is one of those meals that will live in my brain rent-free forever.

I discovered this incredible gastronomic experience on one of my earliest Waiheke visits and now I have to go back every single time I’m on the island!

The high tea is $48 per person which is excellent value, and it comes out on a three-tiered platter with NZ cheese and accompaniments on the bottom, tapa-style bits on the middle tier and a life-changing pavlova covered in berries and passionfruit compote on top. Absolutely delicious.

Taste some gin

A relative newcomer to the Waiheke Island scene, Waiheke Distilling Co. is a great option if you or one of your travel buddies aren’t so sold on the whole wine thing.

Located on the less commercial side of the island, you’ll head down some winding, rural roads to reach the distillery but it’s totally worth it. The Gin Garden offers one of the best views of the island, boasting a spray-free, bee-friendly garden that is the starting point for the botanicals you’ll soon be drinking. Ah, the circle of life!

Savour some local seafood

The culinary offerings on Waiheke are diverse, but if you’re a seafood lover, you need to try some of the local kaimoana.

The Oyster Inn is the best spot in town for fish and shellfish, with options like a brioche oyster roll, ceviche, mussel linguine and classic fish and chips. Travelling with a group or reckon you’re up for a challenge? Their $150 seafood tower has three tiers of ocean-sourced dishes.

Go ziplining

If you aren’t super keen on all the eating and drinking, or if you want to get your heart racing after a busy weekend of too much eating and drinking, EcoZip Adventures is one of the coolest things to do on Waiheke Island for active adventurers.

The zipline tour includes pick up and drop off from the ferry or from Oneroa, a 20 minute Waiheke Island highlights tour on your way to the zip HQ, then jump in your harness and get ready for a couple of hours of fun! You’ll zip your way across three ziplines that take you over 2000 vines of Syrah and thick native bush, with the option of racing a friend on each section as they’re all dual lines.

After your sky-high adventure you’ll come back to earth and see the forest from the ground, learning about EcoZip’s conservation efforts to protect Waiheke’s wetlands.

Try your hand at archery and clay bird shooting

Wild on Waiheke is one of the most unique wineries on Waiheke Island. Not only is it one of the few wineries that also brews their own craft beer, but they also offer activities like archery, clay bird shooting, petanque, giant chess and volleyball.

It’s also one of the few kid-friendly wineries on the island, with an epic playground and trampoline to keep your young ones entertained while you indulge in the wine or beer.

Find a good view

With hundreds of hills looking out to the ocean, Waiheke is packed with different viewpoints to find and photograph. If you do a wine tour you’ll see some amazing views from the drive, or if you have a rental car I’d recommend just zipping around for an hour or so to find the best spots.

Hit the sculpture trail

Held biennially (I’ll save you the Google, it means every two years), Sculpture on the Gulf is one of the coolest things to do on Waiheke Island if your trip aligns.

During the 3-4 weeks that the Sculpture on the Gulf is on, Matiatia Coastal Walkway hosts around 30 incredible outdoor contemporary sculptures along a 2km walkway that takes 1.5-2.5 hours to complete. Entry is $15 per person and the next SOTG will likely be held in March of 2024.

Venture to the other side of the island

If you are lucky enough to have a weekend on Waiheke or have visited before and already ticked off the main things to do, why not explore beyond the usual spots and head out to the eastern side of the island for some wine, pizza and beach time?

The roads are narrow and windy, with some gravel/dirt roads some of the way, but the final destination is worth it: the magical Man o’ War Bay and Winery.

Man o’ War pinot gris is my favourite New Zealand wine so I knew I had to tick this off before I left New Zealand for round two of my round the world solo adventure , and I managed to make it out there with my mum and two of my girlfriends at the end of summer. I was not disappointed. Man o’ War is the island’s only beachfront winery and it serves up a selection of food from platters to pizza to heartier dishes, and you can have a dip after your afternoon of food and wine.

On the way out to the eastern side you’ll also pass Passage Rock Wines (the winemaker is known as one of the most talented on the island), the Cowes Bay viewpoint and the Waiheke Distilling Co.

Waiheke enjoys a microclimate which is generally a couple of degrees hotter than Auckland City despite only being a 35 minute ferry away. The water is warmer too, so pack your togs if you want a midday dip.

The main beaches are Oneroa Beach, Palm Beach and Onetangi Beach, but my favourite is Little Oneroa which is a bit quieter and has an epic woodfired pizza food truck in the carpark.

See the island from the sky

Waiheke Island is one of the best locations in New Zealand to try a scenic flight, because you’ll get to see the island’s unique, jagged shape, endless lines of grapevines and bright blue water lapping at golden beaches, plus you’ll see Auckland’s CBD and Rangitoto Island too.

A 30 minute scenic flight only costs $149, such a bargain!

Taste test some local honey and olive oil

Fancy yourself as a bit of a foodie? Throw a spanner into the mix and enjoy a wine tasting alongside some honey and olive oil too.

Kennedy Point Vineyard is Waiheke’s first and only certified organic vineyard, and they offer tasting platters with French cheeses, smoked salmon and local oysters (seasonal) along with wine, honey and olive oil tasting from their estate.

Where to stay on Waiheke Island

Budget | Waiheke Backpackers Hostel is rated 8.9/10 on booking.com with both dorm beds and private rooms, Waiheke Island Guesthouse is a basic but budget-friendly option, and Boatsheds on the Bay is probably the cheapest sea view accommodation on the island.

Mid-range | Jake’s Place Oneroa , Sea La Vie and Boho Hill are some of the best options from $200-$300 per night.

Luxury | Omana Luxury Villa , the Boatshed and Delamore Lodge are all top-rated luxury accommodation spots if you want to treat yourself.

For a group | Kereru Villas is a stunning holiday home with space for six people, Oneroa Views has room for eight and also boasts a spa pool, or Palm Beach Lodge has space for a group of 16 travel buddies in total.

I hope this guide of the best things to do on Waiheke Island has helped you plan out your Waiheke itinerary! If you think I’ve missed anything important then let me know in the comments.

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Waiheke Island Day Trip: 21 Things to Do in One Day

Table of Contents

If you love wine, go to Waiheke. At least, that’s what everyone told me when I moved to Auckland.

Waiheke is a small island off the coast of Auckland. It’s easily accessible by a 30 minute ferry that runs regularly throughout the week.

The island is known for its wineries and restaurants.

Since I’m not a big drinker, I was more excited about the food. But I have to say, the wine was pretty excellent on a boiling day.

But it’s not just all about food and drink. Waiheke has something for everyone! The island boasts hiking trails, sand and rock beaches, eclectic shopping, stunning views, water sports, bicycling, olive oil and activities like ziplining.

I don’t think it’s possible to be bored when you visit Waiheke!

Waiheke is the perfect day trip from Auckland . Make the most of your experience by finding the best things to do in Waiheke island with this guide.

👉 This is my favourite tour of Waiheke

How to Get to Waiheke Island

Waiheke Island is easily accessible on a day trip from Auckland.

Fullers Ferry runs a regular service to Waiheke every 30 minutes until 11:45pm Mon-Sat and 10:15pm on Sunday and holidays.

The ride takes about 40 minutes and costs $40NZD return.

You can find accurate timetables for the Fuller’s Ferry here.

Although you can also catch Fullers Ferry rides from Devonport or other local islands, it is most common for visitors to embark from Auckland to enjoy Waiheke’s activities.

If you’re planning to visit Waiheke, be warned that a lot of hen dos visit on weekends in the summer in New Zealand. If you head out after 9:30 am, you’re likely to find the two storey boat will be absolutely packed, often meaning you’ll have to wait for the next one.

Don’t delay your trip by getting caught behind the partiers: go early to avoid the lineups.

Getting Around Waiheke Island

Although Waiheke seems small, there’s actually a lot to do around the island.

The Fuller’s Ferry terminal is located on one side of the island, closest to the main town and a plethora of vineyards. To see more of the island, consider these methods of getting around Waiheke:

Hiring a car is one of the easiest ways to get around Waiheke.

Most people don’t opt for this method, as their primary activity will include a lot of drinking at the different vineyards, so it’s not very difficult to rent a car when you arrive on the island.

The easiest way to rent a car is through Fuller’s – the ferry company. You can get a package for $99 NZD that includes your round trip ferry ticket, a one-day car hire, pick up and drop off at the terminal, options for baby seats, and car insurance.

Public Buses

The public bus is an excellent option for people who aren’t on a strict schedule, want to make their own route, and are looking to save some money.

I bought the $12 NZD day pass when I bought my ferry ticket, which includes unlimited bus rides so you can see as much of the island as you please.

The public buses go to all of the main areas on Waiheke Island; however, they do have some gaps in their stops. For example, they don’t include the various wineries that can be up to 30 minutes walks away from the towns. You’ll also have to be prepared to wait for the buses, as they sometimes only come once every hour.

I used the buses to get around and, for the most part, found it really easy. It became more challenging when I went off the beaten path to do some beach hikes and hit a patch of construction where the bus route had been moved. Or when I had to wait for an hour in the sun beside an olive oil factory when the schedule said one arrives every 10 minutes.

Renting a Scooter or Bicycle

If you’re looking for an authentic Waiheke experience that will allow you to have the ultimate day trip, rent an electric scooter or bicycle.

You can find electric scooters, electric bikes, and manual bicycles on the island at the ferry terminal. You may need to book in advance, as many of the scooters sell out in the summer.

I love the freedom of driving an electric scooter (the Vespa kind, not the Lime Scooter kind) along the winding roads of Waiheke. It gives you the freedom to explore the ruins on the eastern side of Waiheke Island and to tackle the long stretches of hilly roads without your legs burning.

Electric scooters can be rented for $85 NZD from Bikes and Barbers.

Fullers Ferry offers deals for bicycle rentals. For $99 NZD you can rent an e-bike and get a return ferry ticket. For $70 NZD you can get a mountain bike and a ferry ticket for the day.

Other options include an off road segway tour .

Hop-on Hop-off Bus

Explore Waiheke at your own pace from the comfort of a modern coach bus with Fullers Ferry’s Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour.

For $68 for one day or $99 for two days, you can explore the island from the comfort of their Explorer Bus. As a bonus, your round-trip ferry ticket is included in the price!

The bus is better than public transport because it offers 16 stops that include the most popular vineyards, restaurants, nature walks, and shops along the island. Or you can stay on the bus for a 1.5 hour scenic bus tour with an audio commentary by a local.

The tour operates every day from 9 am to 5pm, with the last departure from the ferry terminal arriving in time to meet the 7pm ferry back to Auckland. The tour does not run on some national holidays.

👉 I recommend this bus tour of Waiheke

Waiheke Island Tours

Sometimes the easiest way to enjoy local activities is with a guided tour. I’ve compiled the best Waiheke Island tours to ensure you hit all of the best things to do in Waiheke.

Whether you’re going for an adventure day trip, a wine tour, or are looking to explore some art, these tours will ensure you have an epic day trip.

• 30-Minute Scenic Flight Over Waiheke
• Guided Art Exploration Walk
• 4 Vineyard Winery Tour
• Private Personalized Walking Tour
• Archery and Clay Pigeon Shooting Tour
• Full-Day Waiheke Food and Wine Tour
• Private Maori Walking Tour

Free Things to Do on Waiheke Island

1. Best Waiheke Beaches

One of New Zealand’s best features is i ts beaches. You can find epic white sand beaches to enjoy from Hot Water Beach in the North to Queenstown in the South.

Waiheke is no exception.

Waiheke Island is home to both white sand and rocky beaches. You’ll find the sandy beaches on the Western side of the island, nearest to the Ferry Terminal. The rocky beaches are along the East Coast, where you’ll also find some interesting Maori ruins.

Don’t forget to pack your must-have beach essentials!

If you’re looking for the best beach on Waiheke, I recommend going to Oneroa Beach . This sheltered bay is perfect for relaxing on the sand, going for a paddleboard ride, or barbecuing some supper. Locals and visitors alike adore this stunning beach.

Other beaches you may want to check out:

• Little Oneroa Beach – separated by a small headland, this beach is often more deserted and offers a silent refuge from the popular Oneroa Beach.
• Palm Beach – A sheltered beach similar to Oneroa with safe swimming and a children’s playground.
• Matiatia – North of the ferry terminal, Matiatia is a rockier beach where boats often moor. You may be able to spot sting rays and dolphins playing in this bay.
• Blackpool Beach – Best for kayaking, windsurfing, and paddleboarding.
• Surfdale Beach – Named for its popularity with kite surfers, this beach is ecellent for dog walking. You can reach Blackpool Beach by walking The Esplanada route.
• Ontetangi Beach – The longest beach on Waiheke that also claims to having the largest Pohutukawa trees (the New Zealand Christmas tree). A perfect spot for swimming, fishing, and Auckland’s famous Onetangi Beach Races.
• Cactus Bay and Picnic Bay – Little rocky bays with perfect orientation to watch the sunset and have a picnic.
• Man O’ War Bay – the Eastern beach is less popular than others due to its rockier beaches. It’s a great access point to the Stony Batter historic site.

🌊 Need help getting to the beaches? I recommend this tour !

The rolling hills of Waiheke make for excellent hiking. There are a number of walks around the island that vary from 30 mins to 5 hours long.

Plan ahead for your hikes, as Waiheke can be very hot and has few grocery stores. Pack lots of water and snacks to keep you going during your adventure. Be sure to know what to wear hiking.

There are many trails on the island. I’ve gathered some of the best to help you plan your day trip to Waiheke:

• Church Bay Circuit – 3 hour loop from Matiatia Bay to Oneroa Bay and back.
• Whakanewha Regional Park – A number of epic tracks. The Nikau Track (2.5 hours) or the Pa Loop Track (30 minutes) are my favourites. The forest, beaches and streams are stunning to explore.
• Matiatia – Owhanake Loop – 3 hour loop from Matiatia to the Owhanake Bay with coastal views.
• Little Oneroa Beach Walk – 2 hour loop that joins the Oneroa Beach to the Newton Reserve. An easy walk but has long staircase options.
• Hekerua Bay to Palm Beach – 2 hours in one direction on a concrete zig zag track past a number of beaches.
• Te Whau Loop – 3.5 hour walk from Onetangi Sports Park to Kaukaru Bay Forest Reserve.
• Ontetangi Reserve – Hikes ranging from 10 minutes to 2 hours. A great spot for bird watching and kauri tree spotting.

🥾 Stay safe by joining my favourite Waiheke hiking tour !

3. Bird Watching

New Zealand is famous for its wildlife. You can spot little blue penguins in Dunedin , swim with wild dolphins in Kaikoura, and spot rare bird species on Waiheke.

The Tui and the Kaka are the two most common birds you can spot on the island. At certain spots you may be able to see the Korora – the smallest species of penguins in the world.

The best trails for bird watching are:

• Waiheke Island Short Loop
• Rocky Bay and Whakanewha Loop
• Onetangi Track
• Ontangi Forest Reserve – any hike
• Matiatia Southern Walk Track
• Kennedy Point (blue penguins)

🦜 This tour includes great views of wild birds!

4. Watch the Sunset

Sunsets on Waiheke Island are said to be some of the most beautiful in New Zealand.

Basically every guide you’ll ever read about Waiheke tells you that you cannot miss the sunset.

Luckily, the ferries back to Auckland run until late in the evening, offering you plenty of time to camp out on the beach or enjoy dinner at a hilltop winery so you can watch the pink hues bathe the island in their glow.

If you’re worried about staying up late enough to see the sunset , book accommodation on the island and turn your one-day trip into an overnight adventure.

Explore the island on my favourite sunset tour !

5. Stay the Night to Star Gaze

Although Waiheke isn’t a dark night sky reserve like Taupo, you can spot some truly amazing stars on the island. Away from the light pollution of the city, the campsites of Waiheke are well known for their stunning midnight views.

Technically this activity isn’t free, as you do have to pay to camp on the island. However, since you’ll already have paid to stay overnight, getting the experience of star gazing is free bonus!

6. Olive Oil Tasting

I’m not a big drinker, so I was thrilled when I discovered that the wine island of Waiheke has activities that aren’t wine-focused.

Although nowhere near as good as the olive oil I had when living in a small, hillside town in Italy, Waiheke has some damn good olive oil!

Visit Rangihoua Estate to sample some free olive oil.

You can take a tour for $7 NZD to see their whole estate. Or pop in for a visit and try three different types of olive oil with a guided taste test.

My guide explained the differences between three types of olive oils that I got to taste, allowing me to examine their flavour profiles in a way I didn’t think was possible with olive oil. I honestly think the differences between the olive oils were starker than the differences between the wines!

The tasting included a sample of the herb sauce that all of my coworkers demanded I try. It’s like a less finely ground pesto, with larger chunks of herbs. I nearly bought four jars.

But the real showstopper of the day was the tamarind chutney. I’m still not really sure what tamarind is, but I ate about half that sample bowl by myself. It was like a sweet jam with a slightly curried aftertaste. You can’t get it in Auckland, so stock up while you’re in Waiheke.

If you have the time, consider taking the short tour through the orchard to see the rows of trees and learn more about olive oil production.

There are a few places to taste olive oil on the island, beyond with your dinner at a nice restaurant:

• Rangihoua Estate
• Azzuro Groves

I recommend this Waiheke winery and olive oil tour !

7. Walk the Oneroa Art Trail

Discover the local art in Waiheke by taking a 3km walk that starts at the Matiatia ferry terminal and ends at Oneroa Beach.

This self guided tour will take you past stunning natural beauties like the bush reserve and local parks. Along the way, you’ll pass Alison Park, where you’ll find several sculptures. Stop in at the Artworks Centre, Whittaker’s Musical Museum, Waiheke’s Cinema, the new library, Toi Gallery, Space Gallery, and many art shops along the way.

This free walk is one of the best things to do in Waiheke if you’re interested in art and going for a lovely stroll.

👉 I recommend this tour to discover Waiheke art!

8. Stony Batter Historic Reserve

Waiheke is home to a large WWII ruin.

It seems odd that this unassuming island would hold the large gun emplacements and tunnels on a remote side of the island, but it’s there for you to explore.

Near Onetangi on the Eastern side of Waiheke, you can visit the Stony Batter Historic Reserve.

It’s an open air museum that’s free to visit, surrounded by nature.

Most people don’t even realize it’s there, so it’s definitely a unique thing to do in Waiheke.

9. Search for Wild Penguins

Did you know there are New Zealand penguins on Waiheke Island? Neither did I!

You can spot my favourite species of little blue penguins by Kennedy Point Marina when you visit. They’re most active at dusk when the raft comes back in from fishing and basically screams at the top of their lungs to find their way home.

It’s very hard to miss their chatter!

This is a great opportunity to spot these tiny penguins on the North Island, as they’re more common in the South in the Otago Peninsula.

Amazing Waiheke Island Activities to Do on a Day Trip

1. Wine Tasting

Wine tastings are the most popular things to do in Waiheke. Whether you’re visiting solo, out on a girls trip, or celebrating a life event, most people visit the vineyards while they’re in Waiheke.

I’m not a fan of wine and even I got on board!

When every winery offers a $10 NZD tasting menu, it’s easy to see why so many people end up absolutely shattered before they make their way home.

If you want to visit more than one vineyard, I recommend booking a wine tasting tour with a company who can help arrange your tastings and drive you between them.

I did mine on my own.

If you’re going solo, be prepared for some disappointments. Sometimes wineries are closed for private events, meaning that you’ll have to go a bit further to find one with availabilities.

However, for the most part, you can walk in without a booking and partake in the classic Waiheke activity.

Tastings include 3-4 samples of wine. The sample pours at Mudbrick were generous, meaning that I probably had the equivalent of two glasses of wine by the time I was done with my tasting.

The tastings often have multiple options, with the ability to upgrade to fancier packages to try their vintages as well.

My package from Mudbrick included a white, rose, red and bubbles!

Stroll around the vineyard with glass in hand, lounge on the sunny patios or cool down in the cellars. Take in the gorgeous views of rolling green hills or the strikingly blue sea.

Sampling New Zealand wine in Waiheke should definitely be on your must-do list.

The most popular vineyards are:

• Kennedy Point Vineyard (Organic)
• Wild Estate Vineyard (Also known for their beer)
• Man O’ War Vineyard

I recommend this full day food and wine tour in Waiheke!

2. Wild On Waiheke

If you’re looking for an adventurous day trip, check out the things to do at Wild On Waiheke!

This company is well known on the island for their incredible day adventures. Whether you’d like to go clay pigeon shooting, zipline over the forests, or try your hand at archery, you’ll find ways to have an epic day on the island.

If you’re on a budget, you can visit for free and check out some of their fun games, like human sized chess, trampolines, and volleyball.

Wild On Waiheke is the best thing to do for all ages.

Book your ticket now!

3. Sculpture on the Gulf

Visit Waiheke in March to explore this amazing sculpture exhibit.

Sculpture on the Gulf is an incredible thing to do in Waiheke for anyone – even if you’re not that into art. The sculptures are set against the stunning backdrop of Waiheke’s shore. Walk the sculpture walk to see some of New Zealand’s finest artists’ work.

Tickets are only $10 NZD, but they go fast, so book early.

I don’t often give in to the urge to shop, but Waiheke makes it hard to deny.

Explore the small towns across the island to find local boutiques with amazing one-of-a-kind finds.

The island has a good mix of simple beachwear and nicer clothing. The jewellery is absolutely beautiful. I’m so glad I don’t wear jewellery or I might have bought it all.

Most of the shops are in Oneroa. Check out Veranda, The Oyster Inn Shop, We’ar, Himilayan Trading Post, and Timmy Smith for a variety of goods.

If you head to Ostend, try out True Blue. In Surfdale, head to Eclectic Boutique for some interesting finds.

Jet skis are my favourite water transportation method. I love riding them on lakes in Canada, like Muskoka , and tackling larger swells in the ocean.

Rent a jet ski on Waiheke to explore the bay between the island and Auckland. You can search for sealife, jump waves, and have fun racing past other boats.

Prices vary from $140-$400 NZD depending on the length of your rental.

You must have a valid driver’s license to rent a jet ski.

If you need some guidance on how to use a jet ski and where to go, check out some local jet ski tours.

6. Kayak or Paddleboard

Sometimes the best way to explore the water is to be close to it. Rent a kayak or SUP to have the opportunity to paddle alongside wild dolphins, see amazing coral, and get up close with the local bays.

The best location to rent water toys is Matiatia Bay. You’ll be able to walk to your rental from the ferry and enjoy the calm side of the bay.

Prices start at $15/hour.

🚣‍♀️ I recommend this inflatable kayak

Rent your own snorkel gear to explore the coasts of Waiheke or go on a guided snorkelling experience that will take you through the reefs.

Waiheke Dive offers rentals from $30 NZD for the day and gioded tours for $70. You can even combine the experience with a wine tasting!

The crystal clear water makes it so easy to see the diverse underwater life in the harbour. You may be able to spot stingrays, dolphins, and more!

If you bring your own gear, this can even be a free thing to do in Waiheke.

Auckland is the city of sails, which means every summer the harbour is absolutely full of beautiful white sails taking advantage of the strong headwinds.

Join in on the local activity by going on a sailboat excursion while you’re on Waiheke. You can take a classic yacht sailboat, rent your own private sailboat, or even go on a lovely sunset sail through the harbour.

The water is pretty calm in the area, so sea-sick individuals like myself are safe from the rocking you find elsewhere in New Zealand.

With the wind in your hair, the sun on your face, and a private cruise through the harbour, you’ll have an incredible day trip to Waiheke.

⛵️ I recommend this sailing adventure around Waiheke!

With so many hen dos visiting Waiheke, it makes sense that the island has almost as many spas as they have vineyards.

Whether you’re looking for a day of pampering or a longer weekend spa getaway, the island has you covered.

Book ahead to ensure you get a spot. I recommend doing the spa experience before any wine tastings, or you’ll be likely to sleep through most of your treatments.

The best spas on Waiheke are:

• Delamore Lodge
• The Boatshed Hotel Spa
• The Cottage Massage Waiheke

10. Saddle Up

Did you know that riding horses is one of the most unique things to do in Waiheke? Or anywhere in New Zealand really.

Horses aren’t indigenous to New Zealand (no mammals are – except for a species of bat!), so you don’t find a ton of horse back riding experiences like you would in Canada.

Waiheke Horse Tours offer a boutique experience where you ride along beaches, explore the ancient native flora, and even take a dip in the water!

This unique Waiheke activity is sure to be the envy of all your friends, especially after you post a pic on Instagram with an epic solo travel caption .

11. Take to the Sky

One of the best ways to experience New Zealand is from above. You may not want to skydive in New Zealand, but staying inside a plane can offer equally stunning views.

There are a number of companies that offer amazing flights in seaplanes to view Waiheke from above.

You won’t have to worry about catching a bus to make it across the island to see the ancient settlement ruins, because you can do it all from above!

You’ll even have a chance to spot whales and dolphins while you’re in the air.

Book your flight today!

12. Ostend Market

I’m a huge foodie fan. In fact, I fell in love with traditional New Zealand food and unique produce when I lived in NZ.

Visit Waiheke on Saturday from 7:30am – 1pm to shop local food and crafts. You’ll find clothes, toys, herbal remedies, and more!

Unlike Auckland farmers markets, there are more local vendors and less shops with stalls selling you the same wares they have indoors.

Although it’s free to attend, you’re sure to spend a few dollars buying some of the local food. I recommend trying a fejoia in the autumn!

Best Restaurants in Waiheke Island

What goes better with good wine than good food?

I assume that was the thought behind all the amazing restaurants on Waiheke.

From fish and chips to fine dining, you can find something to fill your belly. Vineyards and olive oil estates boast some of the best dining on the island. Put on a nice outfit to enjoy a fresh meal, usually with a view of the water.

If you’re not looking for a fancy meal, pick up some ice cream or a burger and eat on the beach. Food just tastes better around the ocean air (or maybe it’s just saltier).

Want to try it all? Book a food tour that will take you around the island for the day. You can even pair a food and wine tour to have an epically decadent experience.

There are so many places to eat around Waiheke. Some of the best restaurants (for all budgets) are:

• Te Motu’s “The Shed” (Known for their sunset view and fresh produce)
• Casita Miro (Spanish tapas)
• The Oyster Inn (Enjoy their fresh fish on their upper patio)
• Island gelato (Try their bagels!)
• Two Fat Buns (Delicious burgers)
• The Local (Fish and chips)
• Charlie Farley’s (Diverse menu options)

Waiheke Island Accommodations

Waiheke retains its island charm with no big businesses like fast food chains or global hotels. For visitors, that leaves a few options for accommodation: a lodge, renting a house or camping.

The best hotels on the island are:

• Starfish on the Bay

If you want to camp on the island, look up one of the island’s many campgrounds.

The most popular is at the Poukaraka Flats in Whakanewha Regional Park. Camping is a great budget option with rates running at $15/night per person.

What to Wear to Visit Waiheke

As I stood in line to board the ferry, I realized I was VERY underdressed. Everyone around me had on pretty sundresses, designer T-shirts or fancy hiking gear. I seemed to drift somewhere in the middle with my worn-in running shorts, blue tank top and dusty New Zealand hat.

Since I was planning to try out a bit of everything the island had to offer, I didn’t really fit into the categories around me: hen do, vineyard attendants, beach goers and hikers.

If you care more than I do about showing up to a fancy vineyard in sweaty running gear, bring a change of clothes.

I recommend the following outfit options for a day trip to Waiheke:

Wrap Up Of Things to Do in Waiheke, New Zealand

That’s a lot of information for a little island, but I had to include it all to capture the magic that is Waiheke. It truly fits the cliché that “it has something for everyone.”

Waiheke easily calls you back with the promise of another unique and delightful visit.

You could return every weekend for a year and find new Waiheke island activities and tours to enjoy.

I found so much to love on the island: from delicious olive oil to gorgeous views to kind strangers who wanted to chat.

My only issue was getting tired and lost – two things that often happen to me on day trips.

If you’re looking for an amazing day trip in New Zealand or want to find things to do off the beaten path, visit Waiheke. You won’t regret it!

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🌎 What is the best country to live in as an expat?

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Meetup.com – Meet likeminded people who share a similar hobby with Meetup! It’s free to join, but some activities may cost money, like if you go to a cafe and get a coffee.

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✈️  What’s the best site to buy cheap flights?

To find cheap flights, I recommend  Skyscanner . ( Read more )

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To find cheap hotels, I recommend  Booking.com . ( Read more )

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To find cheap rental cars, I recommend  Discover Cars .

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To find epic tours, I recommend  Viator .

Nina Clapperton is the founder of Nina Out and About. She has lived in 18 countries in the past 10 years, explored more than 30 countries, and has done most of it solo. A Canadian native, she also shares her favourite things to do in the True North. She helps over 100,000 people per month plan their expat adventures and Canadian trips.

Want to move abroad, but don’t know how to start?

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Take A Day Trip To Waiheke Island

Our guide to experiencing the best of Waiheke Island in a day

Book Top Experiences and Tours in Auckland:

Auckland: half-day scenic sightseeing tour.

• Auckland: Ship to Shore Half-Day Excursion
• Waiheke Island: Zipline and Native Forest Adventure Trip
• Auckland Harbour 3-Course Dinner Cruise with Welcome Drink

Auckland Harbour 1.5-Hour Sailing Cruise

With its fantastic assortment of beaches, boutique restaurants, wineries and festivals, Waiheke Island caters for jandal clad beach goers as well as lovers of gourmet food and wine. But that doesn't mean you can't slot in a bit of everything on a day trip. Waiheke Beaches: Waiheke Island is blessed with some superb swimming beaches with fresh, clean water and pristine stretches of white or golden sands.   Oneroa Beach is a popular choice for being close to Oneroa Village, and the first bus stop from the ferry.  Any of the walking paths leading from the main street will take you to this sizeable golden sand bay with its calm, blue-green sea, shady trees and picnic tables.

Venture just out of Oneroa Village and you'll come to Little Oneroa, which is smaller, family friendly (it has a children's playground) and has good amenities.  You can walk between the two beaches at low tide with a short clamber over the rocks.

Waiheke's micro-climate is perfect for grape growing and there are a number of award-winning wineries on the island.  So brush the sand from between your toes and check out a few while you're there!

If you've booked a wine tour or are using the Vineyard Hopper then you will be able to visit several of the best vineyards on your day out, including Mudbrick, Stoneyridge, Cable Bay, Casita Miro and Jurassic Ridge.  Those after a fine dining experience for lunch are in luck as the winery restaurants of Stoneyridge, Cable Bay and Te Whau are all excellent, and Spanish influenced Casita Miro is another highlight.

For those short on time Wild on Waiheke is just down the road from Onetangi and on the bus route. Providing an all-in-one vineyard, activity venue, cafe and bar, you can sample local wine and food, practise your clay shooting or archery skills and buy local art and crafts. Booking is recommended in summer.

There are a variety of annual festivals and events on Waiheke Island's social calendar and these can make an ideal focal point for a day trip.

As to be expected, artisan food and wine festivals are held all over the island in summer. These showcase some of the island's best local wine and speciality food, and make an enjoyable day out. 

Waiheke is a haven for creative types such as artists, writers, potters, sculptors and this fact is celebrated every two years in February with New Zealand's biggest outdoor sculpture event, the Headland Sculpture on the Gulf .  This three week event attracts many local and international visitors to the island.

On sunny weekends, queues for the Waiheke ferry can be lengthy, especially if there's a festival or event on the island.  So it pays to arrive early at the ferry terminal on Quay Street to ensure you get a seat on the boat.  The journey takes around 35 minutes and Fullers ferries run regularly on the hour.  Whatever you plan to do on Waiheke, make sure you bring water, a hat and sunscreen to avoid the lobster look!

If you only want to visit a couple of beaches, the cheapest way of getting around Waiheke is to catch the Fullers island bus which meets the ferry service.  For those who want to visit several vineyards the Vineyard Hopper is your best option.  You can buy a day pass which also includes your ferry ticket.  Other transport options for Waiheke include renting a car, scooter or bikes for the day, or catching a taxi.  If you have your own car, you can take it across via the Sealink car ferry which leaves from downtown Auckland .

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• How To Get Around Waiheke Island (By Car, Bike, Bus & On Foot)

Last Updated On 6th February 2024 By Lauren | Wild Lovely World

Are you planning your trip to Waiheke Island and wondering how to get around the island once you get there? You’ve come to the right place! In this post, you’ll learn how to explore Waiheke Island by walking, using the bus, cycling and driving .

Once you arrive on Waiheke Island by ferry , there are numerous options for getting around and exploring the island.

Waiheke Island has a good public bus system. Using the bus network, you can explore Waiheke’s major townships, as well as beaches and wineries. If you prefer the ease of a tour bus, the Explorer Bus is a great option which will take you to Waiheke’s best tourist attractions.

Keen to explore at your own pace? Then consider taking your car or hiring a car on the island. If you enjoy walking trails, Waiheke has many of them. You can visit the best of Waiheke in one day by exploring on foot .

A popular option for getting around Waiheke Island is to cycle. Take your bike on the ferry or hire an e-bike when you arrive.

Keep reading to learn more about all these options and more!

Find out everything you need to know about the ferry to Waiheke Island in this post: How To Get To Waiheke Island From Auckland (Fullers360 vs Sealink)

How To Get Around Waiheke Island

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16 Fun Things To Do On Waiheke Island Without A Car

10 best beaches on waiheke island & what to do there.

• 11 Awesome Things To Do In Oneroa, Waiheke Island

Exploring Waiheke Island On Foot / By Walking 👣

If you choose to explore Waiheke Island on foot, then you’ll be pleased to hear that there are many awesome places you can visit within walking distance to the Matiatia Ferry Terminal. Check out this post with 8 Best Things To Do Within Walking Distance To The Matiatia Ferry Terminal .

It is possible to enjoy much of what Waiheke Island has to offer on foot if you stick to the western side of the island. A 20-minute walk from the Matiatia Ferry Terminal is Oneroa , one of the island’s main townships. Oneroa has plenty of awesome things to do . There are many cafes, restaurants and shops here, as well as the beaches.

A little further is the village of Surfdale , which also has a beach and a few cafes and restaurants.

Walking is also a good way to explore Waiheke Island’s hills, bush and beaches. All over Waiheke Island, there are many tracks and paths in the bush or away from the roadside so you can walk peacefully away from traffic. See a map of walking tracks on Waiheke here.

Around the Matiatia area, there are plenty of lovely coastal and bush walks that can keep you occupied.

Waiheke has a hilly terrain so be prepared to walk up and down hills to reach your destination, wherever it is on the island.

If you want to explore deeper into the central and eastern sides of the island, then you will be better off making use of the bus system, having a car or a bike. Keep reading to learn more about how to explore the island by bus, car and bike.

Discover all the best things to see in Oneroa in this post: 11 Awesome Things To Do In Oneroa, Waiheke Island

Exploring Waiheke Island By Bus (Public Bus Or Explorer Bus) 🚌

There are two ways to explore Waiheke Island by bus – you can use the public bus system or get a pass for the Hop-On Hop-Off Explorer Bus . I will explain more about these two different options below.

How To Travel Waiheke Island On The Public Bus

Waiheke Island has a good public bus network . The buses operate frequently and travel to the major townships, villages and points of interest on the island. You can easily explore Waiheke Island just by using the public transport system. If you’d like to know the best places you can visit on the bus and which bus routes to take to get there, check out this post: 16 Fun Things To Do On Waiheke Island Without A Car

AT HOP Card

If you want to travel by bus, then you will need to purchase an AT HOP card if you don’t already have one. The AT HOP card is Auckland’s public transport system card. It can be used all over Auckland to travel on buses, trains and ferries. The public bus system is cashless and cannot yet accept EFTPOS payments.

It can be a little annoying to have to purchase a card to use the public bus system. However, if you are planning to take a few journeys then it will be worth the expense.

How To Get An AT HOP Card

The AT HOP card costs around $10 and can be purchased from convenience stores anywhere in Auckland. If you arrive on Waiheke without one, you can purchase one at the Four Square grocery shop in Oneroa. Once purchased, the card must then be pre-loaded with credit (for example, $10) that can be used to pay for your rides.

How To Save Money Using An AT HOP Card

Travelling by bus is a great way to save money as the fares can be quite cheap. The bus is an affordable way to explore Waiheke Island.

The card is used to tap on and tap off when you board or exit the bus at the start and end of your journey. The card automatically calculates how much you should pay for your journey.

By using the AT HOP card, you will access discounted fares (for example $2 rather than $4 for the journey). Fares are usually a few dollars per journey.

You can use one card to pay for more than one person riding the bus. For example, if you are a couple then you will only need to use one AT HOP card for both of you. If you do use one card for more than one person, then the first person’s fare is at a reduced rate (for example $2). The next person will pay the standard fare (for example $4). If you want to pay for more than one person, then let the driver know how many passengers you want to pay for and where you are going when you board the bus. The driver will then deduct the fare from your card. You also need to scan the card again before you get off the bus, to make sure you are charged correctly.

If you do end up getting an AT HOP card, you can also use this to travel all around Auckland. By using the card, you will also pay reduced fare rates than not using the card, so in the long-term, it makes it a good value for money option.

For more information about AT HOP, check out their website here .

Where Can You Visit By Public Bus On Waiheke Island

You can explore much of Waiheke Island by using the public bus system. The buses travel to beaches, wineries, museums, art galleries, shops and more.

There are five major bus routes on Waiheke. They are the 50A, 50B, 501, 502 and 503.

All of the buses begin their journey at the Matiatia Ferry Terminal on the western side of Waiheke Island. This is good to know because if you are travelling to Waiheke Island and want to explore by bus, it is recommended to arrive at the Matiatia Ferry Terminal. The Fullers360 ferry will take you to the Matiatia Ferry Terminal on Waiheke Island from Auckland. Make sure that you get the Fullers360 ferry , rather than the Sealink ferry which arrives at a different terminal on Waiheke Island (Kennedy Point).

To learn more about travelling to Waiheke Island from Auckland by ferry, read this post here: How To Get To Waiheke Island From Auckland (Fullers360 vs Sealink)

Here is where all of Waiheke Island’s public buses travel to:

50A – Onetangi Beach (The Strand)

50B – Onetangi shops (Third Avenue)

501 – Kennedy Point Ferry Terminal

502 – Palm Beach and Omiha (Rocky Bay)

503 – Oneroa (operates in summer only)

All of the buses travel through Oneroa and the 50A, 50B and 502 also travel through Ostend . Oneroa is one of the major townships on Waiheke Island. Ostend is the place to go food shopping as they have the island’s only major supermarket (Countdown).

To see Waiheke Island’s public bus network, visit their website here .

Discover the 8 Best Places To Visit By Bus On Waiheke Island

How To Travel Waiheke Island On The Hop-On Hop-Off Explorer Bus

If you want an easy option for travelling around Waiheke by bus, then I recommend the hop-on-hop-off Waiheke Island Explorer Bus .

The Explorer Bus is a tour bus that does a continuous loop around the island all day and has 8 major stops . The journey starts and ends at the Matiatia Ferry Terminal and passes through the main townships of Oneroa, Ostend and Onetangi as well as the best tourist destinations and attractions . Travel across Waiheke Island on the Explorer Bus to visit vineyards, beaches and much more.

Buying your ticket for this bus is a set price of around $69 . You don’t need to think about fares or buy an AT HOP card! You can simply jump on board the Waiheke Explorer Bus and get off where you like.

By using the hop-on-hop-off bus you’ll not have to worry about getting off at the right stop. There is a tour guide and live commentary on board the bus so you’ll know exactly where you’re going.

Once you purchase your ticket, you can use the bus as many times as you like . Jump on board at your leisure throughout the whole day. Buses run from Matiatia from the first ferry at 9 am to the last ferry at 7 pm.

You can see all the stops and book your tickets online here . Simples!

For more information about the Explorer Bus, to see the timetable and book your tickets, click here* (Viator) .

Where You Can Visit On The Waiheke Explorer Bus

The Waiheke Explorer Bus visits the best tourist spots that Waiheke Island has to offer. Starting and finishing at Matiatia Ferry Terminal, the bus travels in a continuous loop throughout the day.

You can travel on the bus to Waiheke’s top vineyards and wineries , including Mudbrick and Cable Bay.

The Explorer Bus also goes to Waiheke’s best beaches , such as Onetangi and Oneroa.

The Waiheke Museum and Waiheke Community Art Gallery are on the route.

If you like shopping , then the bus will take you to boutiques in Oneroa as well as the major supermarket and weekly market in Ostend.

I’ve written this post that explains the best places to visit on the Explorer Bus and the stops to hop on and hop off at. Check it out here: 16 Fun Things To Do On Waiheke Island Without A Car

Exploring Waiheke Island By Bike 🚲

Cycling around Waiheke is a popular option for many visitors to Waiheke Island. A lot of people enjoy hiring an e-bike for the day and cycling around all the wineries. However, many people do not know that many of the wineries can be accessed on foot or the bus. Therefore it is not necessary to hire a bike to get around. Also, I would suggest that if you are visiting many wineries and drinking a lot then you will be better off walking or using the bus to get around!

Waiheke has many hills so it can be challenging to cycle. The island is also much bigger than you might expect and many of Waiheke’s best attractions are spaced out across the island.

That said, it can be really fun to enjoy Waiheke’s scenery and enjoy the nature outside on a bike. If you put in the effort to cycle then you will be rewarded with beautiful views and you can give yourself a well-deserved treat from the cafes and restaurants you can visit.

Cycling On Waiheke Island

Waiheke does have cycle paths along the main roads and the locals are quite used to cyclists across the island. Therefore Waiheke is seen as quite cycle-friendly so it is reasonably safe. You should still be careful of cars and wear a visibility jacket if you have one.

Wearing a helmet on a bike is a legal requirement in New Zealand. If you don’t wear one, you could get a fine if the police spot you!

Hiring An E-Bike

If you are keen to explore Waiheke by bike, I would recommend hiring an e-bike . As mentioned earlier, Waiheke is quite hilly so you will save some energy by using an e-bike. The island is also quite big and much bigger than many people expect. So with the assistance of an e-bike, you will be able to travel further and see more without getting so tired.

Check out this offer for full-day e-bike hire here *, including helmet (legally required in New Zealand), lock and maps/itineraries (Viator).

Explore Waiheke Island on foot, by bike and by bus: 16 Fun Things To Do On Waiheke Island Without A Car

Exploring Waiheke Island By Car 🚗

If you have a car on Waiheke Island then you will have no restrictions on where you go! You will have the ultimate freedom to do and see as you wish all across the island. You can take your car to Waiheke Island or hire a car when you get there. Discover more about these two options below.

Taking Your Own Car

You can take your car on the ferry to Waiheke Island with Sealink. It will cost you a pretty penny to do so, but you will have the freedom to explore the whole island if you choose. Find out everything you need to know about taking your car on the ferry to Waiheke Island in this post: How To Get To Waiheke Island From Auckland (Fullers360 vs Sealink)

Hiring A Rental Car

Car rentals are available on Waiheke Island as well. To search for a rental car, try these companies:

• Discover Cars
• Rental Cars

Tips For Driving On Waiheke Island

If you are going to drive on Waiheke Island, then there are a few things to note.

Besides the main roads between the villages, many of the roads on Waiheke are narrow, winding, single lanes and have poor visibility. This includes the suburban areas surrounding the villages and up in the hills. Waiheke is quite a hilly island so there are some steep drops and bendy roads to navigate. Drive at a sensible speed and take care when driving in these conditions.

If you venture further east on Waiheke, towards Stony Batter Historic Reserve for example, then you will encounter many unsealed, gravel roads . They are unsealed for many km, so makes for a bumpy and dusty ride! Make sure that you check your tyres and vehicle condition before taking your car on unsealed roads. If you rent a car, double-check if you are allowed to take the car on unsealed roads as part of the hiring policy.

There are petrol stations on Waiheke as well as tyre shops and mechanics in case you get into trouble. However bear in mind that prices on the island are much higher than on the mainland, so I would recommend you try to avoid any mechanical repairs while you are there if you want to save money.

More Ways To Explore Waiheke Island

We’ve explained how to get around Waiheke by bus, bike, on foot and by driving, but what about other options for exploring? Check out these other ways to get around the island if you want to try something different.

Small-Group Tours (Wine Tastings) 🍇

A great way to explore the vineyards and wineries on Waiheke is to join a small group bus tour . These tour buses take you around to the best cellar doors on the island so you can try all of Waiheke’s famous wines. Waiheke is known as the ‘Island of Wine’ in New Zealand, so wine tasting is a must-do activity!

There are many tours to choose from. I recommend checking out these top Waiheke Island bus tours on Viator* . They all have awesome reviews, so you are bound to pick a good one! If you need a recommendation, then try the Enjoi Premium Full-Day Waiheke Wine Tour . This excellent tour will take you to 3-4 award-winning vineyards with a knowledgeable local guide. Try 3-5 wines at each vineyard and travel in a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle.

Hiring A Scooter 🛵

If you fancy doing something a bit different, then you could hire a scooter to explore Waiheke Island. Local company Island Scoot rents out retro scooters for the day from $89. Rental includes insurance and a helmet.

For more information on scooter rental on Waiheke Island, visit the Island Scoots website here .

Waiheke Taxi Companies 🚕

Waiheke Island does not have Uber or Ola, but there are local taxi companies on the island to help you get around. Check out these companies if you are looking for a taxi:

• Waiheke Shuttles – offer group transport shuttles
• Waiheke Island Taxis – have set fares to vineyard restaurants and do taxi tours around the island
• Island Taxis – offer tours around the island and transfers to and from the ferry terminals
• Waiheke Express Taxis – offer tours to vineyards, restaurants, beaches and general sightseeing and you can create your own tour

The Best Things To Do On Waiheke Island

Now you know how to get around the island and discover all the best things to do there. From wineries, beaches, shopping, tours, adventure sports and much more, there is so much to do on Waiheke Island. For inspiration on the best things to do on Waiheke, check out these suggestions:

11 Awesome Things To Do In Oneroa

Oneroa is one of the main townships on Waiheke Island. The village is charming and quaint, with lots of eateries, beaches, walks, galleries and boutiques. Discover everything you need to know in this post:  11 Awesome Things To Do In Oneroa, Waiheke Island .

Waiheke Island has some of the best beaches in New Zealand. Each beach has its own character and is best suited to different activities. In this post,  10 Best Beaches On Waiheke Island & What To Do There , find out the most spectacular beaches on Waiheke Island and what you can plan to do at each beach.

If you’re travelling without a car to Waiheke Island, then check out this post: 16 Fun Things To Do On Waiheke Island Without A Car . The post explains all the best things to do by walking or using the bus to explore Waiheke and how to get there.

Full-Day Bike Rental

Discover Waiheke’s best beaches, activities and wineries at your own pace with an e-bike! An e-bike rental will help you cycle Waiheke’s hilly terrain with ease! Rental includes the bike, helmet, a lock and itineraries/maps. Once you’ve finished, the bikes will be collected from you making it a stress-free experience. Get a full day’s rental  from $110 per group (up to 8 people) .  For more information on Full-Day Bike Rental in Waiheke Island click here* (Viator).

Explorer Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tickets

Catch the ferry from Auckland and explore Waiheke on the  hop-on/hop-off tour  bus. Taking the bus is a flexible and cost-effective tour option on Waiheke Island. The  Explorer bus  goes to all the major stops on the island, including vineyards and beaches. The bus stops at 16 stops including the Matiatia Ferry Terminal, Oneroa Village, Onetangi Beach (another awesome beach on Waiheke), Mudbrick Vineyard and Cable Bay Vineyard and more! Tickets  from $68 per person.  For more information on the Explorer Bus click here* (Viator).

Zipline & Native Forest Adventure Trip

The  Zipline & Native Forest Adventure  is a different activity to do on Waiheke Island. Glide over a forest canopy in native New Zealand bush. You can go with a friend and enjoy 3 200-meter ziplines together. The zipline glides over a vineyard! You will also get panoramic views of the beautiful Hauraki Gulf. The trip includes pickup and drop off from the Matiatia Ferry Terminal.  From $129 per person .   For more information on the Waiheke Island Zipline Adventure click here* (Get Your Guide).

Premium Full-Day Waiheke Wine Tour

Explore Waiheke’s top vineyards with a knowledgeable local guide and enjoy wine tastings on this fun premium wine tour . The small-group tour onboard the airconditioned minibus will give you a personalised and luxury adventure. This tour lasts for around 6 hours and has 5-star reviews. From $179 . For more information on the Premium Full Day Waiheke Wine Tour, click here* (Viator).

Premium Food & Wine Tour With Platter Lunch

Make your own way to Waiheke Island and then discover local produce and wines from top boutique vineyards on this fully-guided food and wine tour. The  Waiheke Island Premium Food & Wine Tour  lasts around 5.5 hours. Your guide will meet you at the Matiata Wharf (or your Waiheke Island accommodation) and will transport you across the island. Taste fresh and award-winning local foods of the island along with great wines. Your tour also includes a platter lunch at one of the island’s top vineyard restaurants. This is a really popular tour with 4.9/5 star reviews from previous visitors!  From $215 per person .   For more information on the Waiheke Premium Food & Wine Tour click here* (Get Your Guide).

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Search for accommodation on waiheke island.

Finding a place to stay for your trip to Waiheke Island? Take a look at options on  Booking.com , Hostelworld and  Tripadvisor . Or use the search box below:

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How To Get Around Waiheke Island (By Car, Bike, Bus & On Foot) – Thanks For Reading!

In this post, we have looked at various options for getting around Waiheke. From cycling, driving, using the bus, joining a tour and walking, there are many options for exploring the island. With this information, you can make the best decision on how to get around based on what activities you hope to do, what is most convenient for your itinerary and for your budget. I hope that this post helps you to explore Waiheke to the fullest!

Did you find this article useful? Let me know in the comments or join me on Twitter , Facebook , Pinterest and Instagram . Buy me a coffee here!

If you enjoyed this post, share it with a friend! 💌

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My Travel Resources guide will help you get the best deals when booking your next trip – check it out here !

Lauren | Wild Lovely World

Lauren is a coffee and cat obsessed travel writer from the U.K., specialising in solo female, couple travel and budget backpacking. She has previously lived in Australia, New Zealand, Japan, England and Scotland. Follow her adventures around the world on her blog WildLovelyWorld.com

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How to Plan a Trip to Waiheke Island

When an internationally recognized publication like ‘Travel + Leisure’ lists Waiheke Island as the Best Island in Australia , New Zealand , and the Pacific , and the fifth-best island in the world in 2018—and “Lonely Planet’s Best In Travel’ lists it as one of the ten best regions in the world in 2016—then you know for sure that there must be something extra special about this place! And there certainly is!

Table of Contents

Why Visit Waiheke Island

Waiheke Island boasts sandy, pristine, tree-fringed beaches on 40 km of beach coastline, boutique vineyards with tasting rooms, and a variety of amazing restaurants with stunning views. There are also olive groves, a bohemian art scene, a network of walking tracks showcasing the New Zealand flora and fauna and birdlife, and outdoor activities for the energetic: kayaking, sailing, boating, surfing, snorkeling, mountain biking, or zip-lining through the trees. In short, why not visit Waiheke Island? There’s something to do for just about every type of traveler.

3 Best Things to Do on Waiheke

Sample wine at vineyards.

The vineyards are definitely one of the most popular reasons to visit Waiheke Island. Serious winemaking started in the 1980s and grew very rapidly. Now there are over 30 vineyards on the island and they all offer something different and unique. 

Onetangi Road has four wineries next to each other, with cellar doors and restaurants. Start your wine tasting experience at Wild Estate, then walk over to Stonyridge Vineyard?(amazing atmosphere) followed by a walk over to their neighbors at Te Motu (great wine and food) and finish with a visit to the spectacular Tantalus Estate?(they have an amazing beer brewers lounge called The Alibi).

Batch Winery has the highest elevation on the island with stunning 360-degree views. They have become well known for their high teas and bubbles and sunset vistas.

Mudbrick Vineyard is a well-established winery with magnificent views all the way to Auckland. They are a popular wedding destination and have lots of award-winning wines available from their Cellar Door. They have two restaurants and offer luxury accommodation .

Cable Bay is another well-established winery with award-winning wines. It’s the only winery on the Island with a female winemaker (Chloe Somerset). It also offers spectacular views and two restaurants. The Bistro restaurant showcases its seasonal produce from its own organic garden. Displayed throughout the building, it has an impressive private art collection from Kiwi artists. Like Mudbrick, it also offers beautiful accommodation .

Kennedy Point is Waiheke Island’s only certified organic vineyard, set among 300-year-old Pohutukawa trees overlooking Kennedy Bay with stunning accommodation .

Wild Estate Vineyards or W ild on Waiheke offers a huge range of activities along with its wine and beer tasting, and is great for families, too. It offers archery, clay bird shooting, petanque, giant chess, and a great kid’s playground area.

There are so many other great vineyards on Waiheke Island.

Casita Miro has a great ambiance and Spanish cuisine from a Metro Award Winning team. Poderi Crisci wins with its long slow Sunday lunches in its Italian restaurant, which start at 12.30 pm and progress through various courses until 4.30 pm. You can book the Man O’ War Vineyards bus to take you on a scenic tour to its winery at the eastern end of the island—it also offers accommodation.

Relax on Magnificent Beaches

With 133 km of coastline and 40 km of beaches, there are plenty of options to find your kind of beach to swim or engage in your favorite water sports. On the ocean side of Waiheke are the sandy beaches and on the landward side are the more shelly, rocky bays. 

The longest beach is the two-km long Onetangi Beach. It’s great for swimming, fishing, paddle boarding, and beach walking—and when the north wind blows, the surf gets up and the surfers come out. There a couple of good cafes at Onetangi, too. 

Oneroa Beach serves the most populated area and has the town of Oneroa, with picture-postcard pretty Little Oneroa Beach around the rocks at the eastern end. Both provide safe anchorage for boats. 

Palm Beach, located between Oneroa and Onetangi Beaches, is another popular beach. Sandy Bay is a northern coast secluded beach and Cactus Bay is only accessible by boat or kayak, The very sheltered Enclosure Bay with its rockpools is enjoyed by families.

On the landside of the island, Blackpool and Surfdale Beaches are very tidal and popular for kayaking, paddle boarding, and windsurfing.

If you’re a keen camper, Whakanewha Regional Park, on the southern side of the island, has a campground. It has a beautiful bay and child-friendly beach, a large wetland area, and a mature coastal forest. It’s great for bird watching, too.

Immerse in the Arts

Waiheke Island was once considered an alternative, arty, hippy place, and the art scene is now one of the island’s key attractions. The biggest art event is probably the biannual Headland Sculpture event, where the southern headlands of Matiatia Bay and two kilometers of coastal walkway show an exhibition of outdoor contemporary sculpture from both Waiheke and international artists.

If you’re not lucky enough to be on Waiheke Island when the festival is on, you can view some of these works at Alison Park on Waiheke, because the Waiheke Local Board has a tradition of purchasing one work from each exhibition for public display on the island, and it exhibits some of them in the park. 

There are plenty of local art galleries and the Waiheke Community Art Gallery is probably a good starting point and can direct you to the galleries you’re most interested in seeing.

The Waiheke Jazz, Art and Music Festival runs every year around Easter. This hugely popular festival incorporates Jazz concerts, exhibitions and painting workshops, performance art, and wide-ranging music genre, including DJs, bands, and solo performances (including non-jazz).

And then there’s always that wonderful option of just putting your feet up in Waiheke, enjoying the view, chilling out, and recharging!

Why not also visit Great Barrier Island , another amazing island also located in the Hauraki Gulf.

Best Time to Visit

Waiheke Island is a popular destination all year round. In the summer months (October/November to March/April) swimming and boating activities feature prominently, but there is plenty to see and do during the winter months too. (May/June to August/September). 

Locals swear that Waiheke Island has its own microclimate and is warmer and drier than Auckland, the nearest city, year-round. The temperatures average about 29 °C (84 °F) in summer and 18 °C (64 °F) in winter dropping to about 8 or 9 °C (46 °F) at night in winter.

How Long to Stay

Many local Aucklanders escape to Waiheke Island on a day trip. They enjoy a swim at one of the beaches and snorkeling , or a chance to check out the art galleries , and then head to the vineyards for a long lunch .

Weekend stays are also popular as there’s plenty to see and do, and a chance to unwind, for a one or two-week stay. One of the road signs that greets you as you arrive is, “Slow Down! You’re Here!”

How to Get There

There are four options for getting to Waiheke Island.

The most popular option is going by ferry from the Ferry Building in downtown Auckland. The scenic trip runs regularly and takes 40-50 minutes. It may stop at the picturesque village of Devonport on the way there or back.

By Rental Car & Ferry

Rental cars are available on the island, but if you wish to take your car to the island, Sealink car ferries leave from Wynyard Wharf in downtown Auckland, or Half Moon Bay in the eastern suburbs about 30 minutes from the city.

Half Moon Bay is the more convenient option if you are flying into Auckland airport, picking up a rental car, and heading straight over to Waiheke Island or vice versa.

The third option is flying. Several small seaplane, airline, and helicopter companies can whisk you over to Waiheke Island on a very scenic flight in twelve to twenty minutes. In Flight Experiences and Heletranz both offer these types of flights, or you can book a full day tour: Waiheke Island & Hauraki Gulf Scenic Seaplane Flight .

By Water Taxi

You can also book a water taxi from Auckland to Waiheke or vice versa through Hauraki Express, By Sea, or Auckland Sea Shuttles.

Getting Around Waiheke Island

Local buses meet the ferries at Matiatia Bay. Routes 50A and 50B are a frequent service, running every 15 minutes from 7 am to 7 pm from Matiatia Bay to Onetangi Beach via Oneroa, Ostend, and Surfdale.  

The 502 route runs every 30 minutes from Matiatia Bay to Rocky Bay (Omiha Bay) via Oneroa, Blackpool, Palm Beach, and Ostend. 

During the summer months, a 503 bus runs from Matiatia Bay up the hill to Oneroa Village (one way).

At the moment, the buses do not meet the Sealink car ferries that come into Kennedy Point Wharf, but when upgrade works are completed in 2020 this wharf will also have a bus service to meet foot passengers.

The hop-on, hop-off bus has 17 stops at beaches, vineyards, and restaurants. Or you can stay on for the one and a half-hour complete loop tour. Check out times, prices and at a variety of very interesting itineraries for these buses.

Where to Stay

You won’t find any huge international resorts dominating the coast on Waiheke Island!

At the top end of the market are places like Delamore Lodge with its stunning infinity pool and helipad and a range of luxurious private villas.

Many of the vineyards also provide accommodation .

There are boutique resorts and villas, self-catering holiday homes, apartments, typical New Zealand baches (cottages), and some motel units.

Both Booking.com and Airbnb offer great accommodation options on the island.

By Maureen Spencer from “ So Many Places! So Little Time! ”, an online travel magazine & blog. 

When is the next total solar eclipse in the US after 2024 and what is its path? What to know

The highly anticipated 2024 total solar eclipse will cross North America on Monday , giving millions of sky-gazers the chance to see a rare cosmic event that won't be viewable again for 20 years.

The eclipse's  path of totality  will travel over a portion of northern Mexico before entering the U.S. It then it will cross 13 states  from Texas to Maine, where the spectacle is expected to attract huge crowds.

If you aren't lucky enough to be in the path of totality this time around, you will have another chance - you'll just have to wait until the 2040s.

Here's what we know about the next total solar eclipse to cross over the U.S.

Eclipse playlist: Fans return to Bonnie Tyler's 'Total Eclipse of the Heart' ahead of total solar eclipse

When is the next total solar eclipse visible from the U.S.?

It will be 20 years before there's a chance to  witness a total solar eclipse  in the United States again.

According to NASA, after Monday's total solar  eclipse , the next one viewable from the contiguous U.S. will be on Aug. 23, 2044.

2044 total solar eclipse path of totality

Unfortunately, the 2044 total  solar eclipse  won't have the broad reach across the U.S. as the 2024 eclipse.

The path of totality during the 2044 eclipse will only touch three states, according to the Planetary Society, a nonprofit involved in research, public outreach, and political space advocacy.

The eclipse will begin in Greenland, sweep through Canada and end around sunset in Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota.

Pets and the eclipse: Will my pets be safe during the April 2024 solar eclipse? What experts say.

2045 solar eclipse

While the 2044 total eclipse will only touch three states, a 2045 eclipse will have a more robust path across the U.S.

Expected to occur on Saturday, Aug. 12, 2045, this solar eclipse will trace a path of totality over California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Florida, and Georgia.

A partial solar eclipse will also be viewable in 35 other states, according to National Eclipse.com

What is a total solar eclipse?

Any celestial object like a moon or a planet that passes between two other bodies can create  an eclipse  by obscuring the view of objects like the sun.

In the event of a solar eclipse, the moon comes in between the Earth and the sun, blocking its light from reaching a small part of our planet. Partial eclipses, when some part of the sun remains visible, are the most common, making total eclipses a rare sight to behold.

Total eclipses can lead to a period of darkness lasting for several minutes, during which time nocturnal animals stir while confused birds and insects may fall silent, NASA says.

When a solar eclipse reaches totality, people are able to see the sun’s outer atmosphere called the corona, which is usually obscured by the sun's bright surface. This offers scientists an uncommon opportunity  to study the corona .

Totality also offers spectators a chance to gaze upon the spectacular sight with the naked eye, though  proper  safety  glasses  are still required for the rest of the time.

What states are on the 2024 eclipse path of totality?

Mexico's Pacific coast will be the first location in continental North America to experience totality, which is expected to occur at about 11:07 a.m. PDT,  according to NASA .

As the moon's shadow will northeast, totality in the U.S. will begin in Texas at 1:27 p.m. CDT. The path will then cut diagonally across the country, traveling through Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont and New Hampshire.

The eclipse's path is expected to end in Maine at 3:35 p.m. EDT before visiting the maritime provinces of Canada, according to estimates.

See  interactive maps of the 2024 path .

Contributing: Doyle Rice, Ramon Padilla & Janet Loehrke, USA TODAY

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Rep. Young Kim Meets with Elected Officials, Business Leaders on Bipartisan Trip to South Korea

Apr 8, 2024 | Economy , National Security & Foreign Affairs , Press Releases

Washington, DC – U.S. Representative Young Kim (CA-40) traveled to South Korea with a bipartisan Congressional delegation to lead meetings with senior Korean elected officials and leaders in business and academics. 

Rep. Kim is chairwoman of the House Foreign Affairs Indo-Pacific Subcommittee and is co-chair of the Congressional Study Group on Korea.  

Rep. Kim met with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, Minister of Unification Kim YungHo, Minister of Defense Shin Won Sik, and Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul. She also met with leaders from Hanyang University, the American Chamber of Commerce, and from automotive and airline industries. 

“The U.S.-ROK alliance has grown into a strong economic and security partnership for both countries and is more important than ever as we see growing aggression on the Korean Peninsula and in the region,” said Rep. Young Kim. “I appreciate the opportunity to have productive conversations with President Yoon and other government officials and business leaders as co-chair of the Congressional Study Group on Korea through Former Members of Congress. Our work together is critical as we face shared threats and instability in the region, and I’ll keep working as Indo-Pacific Subcommittee Chairwoman to strengthen the U.S.-ROK alliance.” 

Photos courtesy of Former Members of Congress can be found HERE .

This trip was sponsored by the Former Members of Congress and the Korea Society.

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Travel tips for passengers departing Indianapolis International Airport after total solar eclipse

INDIANAPOLIS – The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) doesn’t want passengers departing Indianapolis International Airport (IND) to be caught in the dark: Tuesday, April 9 is expected to be a busy day with high throughput volumes.

Currently, travel volumes at IND for next Tuesday are projected to be about 40 percent higher than the volume seen on a typical Tuesday. The busiest times of day will be 5-8 a.m. and 2-5 p.m.

“Planning is critical when traveling on busy days like this,” TSA Indiana Federal Security Director Aaron Batt said. “Arriving at the airport with extra time and knowing what can and can’t be packed in carry-on and checked bags will save you time and keeps things moving quickly at checkpoints.”

Here are a few tips that will, beyond a shadow of a doubt, help passengers navigate the screening process efficiently and safely.

• Arrive to the airport at least two hours before your scheduled flight, and give yourself plenty of time for every step of your travel journey – including parking or being dropped off, checking bags, and making your way to your gate.
• Be ready at the checkpoint. Before you approach, take a few moments to find your ID and secure any loose items in your carry-on bag. All screening lanes at IND are equipped with state-of-the-art Computed Tomography (CT) technology, which allows passengers to leave liquids, laptops, and other electronic devices inside their carry-on bags. If you have any questions, ask an officer, who can help shed light on the best way to move through the process.
• Remember the 3-1-1 rule when packing liquids for carry-on bags. Liquids are limited to 3.4 ounces or less, packed in a quart-sized bag and limited to one bag per passenger. Solid foods (like sunflower seeds and moon pies) can be carried on, but if you can spill it, spray it, spread it, pump it, or pour it, it needs to go in checked baggage.
• Unsure if an item should be packed in a carry-on bag, checked bag, either or neither?  Download the free MyTSA app , which has a handy  “What can I bring?” feature  that allows you to type in the item to find out if it can fly. Or ask on X or Facebook Messenger at  @AskTSA . Travelers may send a question by texting “Travel” to AskTSA (275-872).
• Travelers or families of passengers who need assistance may call the TSA Cares helpline toll-free at 855-787-2227 at least 72 hours prior to travel with any questions about screening procedures and to find out what to expect at the security checkpoint. TSA Cares also arranges assistance at the checkpoint for travelers with specific needs.