Lush landscapes, tranquil beaches and award-winning wineries combine on Waiheke Island, and its Hawaii-meets-Napa Valley vibe makes this one of the best day trips from Auckland.
This stunning spot is just a half hour boat ride from New Zealand’s capital, yet feels a world away from downtown’s hustle and bustle thanks to its coastal walks, picturesque vineyards and olive groves.
While our family only had two days in Auckland before jetting down to the South Island, on the recommendation of those in-the-know we made sure to dedicate one of those to Waiheke. It ended up being one of our favourite days of the trip: high praise, considering we enjoyed a lot of epic experiences during our two week visit!
Here’s why you’ll want to include a visit to Waiheke Island on your New Zealand itinerary, and everything you need to know to plan a fantastic day out.
Best things to do on Waiheke Island
The island is relatively compact, and only takes about half a day to get around the whole loop by car.
However, most visitors don’t end up going all the way to the eastern side as it’s less developed, so if you’re just staying in the more central area you can easily visit a few wineries and beaches, have lunch and wander through town during a day trip.
Wander through Oneroa Village
This is the main town on Waiheke Island, and the palm tree lined strip hosts boutiques, art galleries, a gelato shop, cafes and restaurants, with many of them overlooking Blackpool Beach.
Its name means “long beach” in Māori, as it sits just above a stretch of wide, white-sand shoreline and leads down to the Big Oneroa and Little Oneroa Beaches for swimming, kayaking, paddle-boarding and family picnics.
The Alison Park Sculpture Trail is located across from the Artworks Centre on the main road into Oneroa (Ocean View Road), showcasing several creations featured in previous Sculpture on the Gulf exhibitions.
Relax on the Waiheke Island beaches
Oneroa Beach: A few minutes’ walk from the ferry and close to shops and cafes, this sheltered bay is ideal for a quick dip or post-lunch lounge.
Onetangi Beach: This nearly 2 kilometre stretch of sand is one of the longest beaches on the island, and popular for swimming, fishing and surfing.
Shelly Beach: This secluded spot is best for picnicking, kayaking and paddling, boasting a boat ramp and jetty, BBQ facilities and washrooms.
Palm Beach: Best for families, Palm Beach has a great playground and grassy area with public toilets, a gas BBQ and picnic tables. The eastern end has another picnic area sheltered by giant phoenix palms. Do note that the western end has a small bay separated by an outcrop of rocks, where it’s ‘swimsuits optional’ if you get my drift.
Enjoy wine tasting on Waiheke Island
If you’re more into sipping than sunbathing, make a beeline for Waiheke’s wineries.
There are about 30 boutique vineyards around the small island, earning it the nickname ‘Island of Wine.’ Known for Bordeaux-style red blends which thrive in the warm, maritime climate and mineral-rich soils, some of the most popular wineries include:
Mudbrick Vineyard & Restaurant
I loved the laid-back yet elevated vibe at Mudbrick Vineyard, which is one of Waiheke Island’s premiere spots with a fantastic winery, dining, cottages and a lodge
Established in 1992, labour-intensive techniques like handpicking and gentle pressing ensure the character of their Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Syrah, Montepulciano and Petit Verdot, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Albariño varietals.
Mudbrick’s popularity meant it was packed with people when we arrived, yet still never felt too busy thanks to the sprawling French-inspired gardens with lots of indoor and outdoor seating. Tables have views overlooking the Hauraki Gulf and Auckland’s downtown skyline.
There’s a tasting room and two restaurants on site (book a reservation in advance during high season): Flagship Mudbrick is a higher-end dining experience, while the Archive is a modern bistro ideal for leisurely lunches.
Cable Bay Vineyards
Cable Bay Vineyards is another one of the most recommended wineries on Waiheke Island, just down the road from Mudbrick and close to Oneroa. This sleek spot is renowned for its water views, best seen from the stunning restaurant which has huge windows.
To be honest I preferred Mudbrick when it comes to ambiance, as Cable Bay felt a bit more stiff and the tasting room doesn’t take advantage of the scenic surroundings. Guests are also not permitted to enjoy their wine out on the lawn or walk past the fence adjoining the restaurant, which is where the best views are. However, it’s still worth a stop, and our lunch there was excellent.
Head into the Cellar Door to taste a selection of Cable Bay wines from both the Awatere Valley and Waiheke Island; there’s also a guesthouse and luxury villa for overnight stays.
Man O’War
Tucked away on the quiet eastern edge of Waiheke Island along a stunning turquoise bay, you’ll find Man O’ War winery.
With a beachfront cellar door, standout wines, and even ziplining through ancient kauri forests, this is the kind of place where you could spend an entire day (and many do!).
The first vines were planted in 1993, and today there are 75 vineyards on the working farm along with orchards, olive groves, restored native forests and beehives. Man O’War is the largest producer on Waiheke, known for their Syrah, Chardonnay and Bordeaux Blends, as well as their Pinot Gris and Rosé which goes down way too easy.
The family-friendly venue (dogs welcome too!) has picnic tables, a restaurant, fire pits, live music, lawn games and activities like guided e-bike tours and ziplining to keep everyone entertained for hours.
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Take a scenic walk
Explore the island on two feet along one of Waiheke Island’s walking trails. Top routes include:
- Oneroa Village to Matiatia Ferry Terminal: This 2 kilometre, 30 minute walk avoids the main road in favour of a ramble through the Atawhai Whenua Reserve.
- Vineyards to Matiatia Ferry Terminal: A similar option is the half hour, easy 1.1 kilometre walk back to the ferry, on a walking path that’s accessible from the Cable Bay, Jurassic Ridge and Mudbrick wineries and passes by the reserve.
- Onetangi Beach to Casita Miro and Obsidian Wines: This 1.8 km walk starts at Charlie Farley’s restaurant in Onetangi, along on the beachfront, then up the stairs at Seventh Avenue to the Spanish-influenced Casita Miro vineyard.
- Cascades Loop Track: Birders will appreciate this 2.6 km, 40 minute loop around Whakanewha Regional Park, which starts across from the Batch Winery parking lot and features native fauna and wildlife sightings.
See Waiheke Island from above
Here’s a unique way to get a birds-eye view of the sights: by zipline!
Soar through the treetops overlooking the Hauraki Gulf during an EcoZip Adventure Tour zipline tour. Guests are picked up at the ferry terminal, then driven to Trig Hill which has some of the island’s most panoramic views.
Clip into a harness and set off on three flights, gliding along the trio of 200-metre-long ziplines. The experience ends with a guided bush walk through ancient forests back to the visitor centre.
Man O’War Winery also has a 900 metre zipline course called the Forest Flight, with three tandem ziplines connected by an elevated boardwalk through groves of trees. Starting at the Eastern End Viewpoint, riders enjoy ocean views before gliding down through the protected native forest to drop down right at the tasting room for a well-earned glass of vino.
Scenic flights and helicopter tours are also available on Waiheke Island.
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How to get to Waiheke Island from Auckland
Catching the ferry from Auckland to Waiheke Island couldn’t be easier. It departs right from the main ferry terminal downtown at the bottom of Queen Street, and takes about 40 minutes to get to Waiheke.
SeaLink NZ and Fullers360 run ferries roughly once or twice and hour throughout the day, and you can buy tickets online or at the terminal. Pre-booked departure tickets are also available.
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Walk-up fares are cheaper, but since time slots aren’t reserved you’ll want to arrive in line at least 20 minutes before the sailing you’re hoping to get on, especially in the morning when there are lots of tour groups during high season.
Interested in visiting the popular Man O’War Winery? There’s an option to take a direct ferry there instead, since it’s on the opposite side of the island from the main terminal and harder to get to by driving due to rough roads.
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Getting around Waiheke Island
Even if you have a vehicle, I don’t recommend bringing it over to Waiheke as that specific ferry to Kennedy Point is shockingly expensive.
We rented a car on Waiheke Island for about $100/day, which was perfect for exploring at our own pace and getting to stop off at roadside viewpoints and beaches (especially helpful if you’re travelling with kids, which gives you more flexibility).
We booked through Discover Cars who I always use since they consistently have the best prices, and the pickup point was easy to find in the ferry terminal.
Driving on Waiheke Island is easy as there are only a few main roads and they’re not very busy, though you’ll have to be comfortable driving on the left side of the road.
The only big surprise was how pricey it was to top up the tank before dropping it off; it cost about $30 for only a couple hours’ worth of fuel.
Another great option is the Waiheke Island Western Explorer Hop-On Hop-Off bus, which operates an 80 minute loop around the island. There are 15 different stops including beaches, notable vineyards, villages and suggested walking tracks.
If you’re doing a day trip to Waiheke Island for the wineries, the Vineyard Explorer includes wine tastings at Cable Bay Vineyards, Stonyridge Vineyard and Batch Winery (with the bonus of a built-in designated driver!).
You can also use local buses which depart from the ferry terminal at Matiatia Bay, or book a guided tour for a local’s perspective. Scooter, bikes and e-bikes are available to rent.
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