Think walking trails meandering along cliff tops, down to white sandy beaches perfect for picnics, then explore enclaves of native forest before rewarding your inner foodie at one of the vineyard restaurants. There is no better way to unwind after a long flight to New Zealand. To give you a taste of what to expect from your visit to Waiheke Island, here's an overview of great itinerary ideas I've collated for you.
New Zealand's Waiheke Island is the ultimate island retreat. You’ll feel another world away, and yet Waiheke is just a 35-minute ferry ride from downtown Auckland City. Known as the island of wine for its many wineries and vineyards, a wine tasting or tour is a must. Enjoy a day trip or find accommodation and stay longer to really enjoy some of the fantastic activities on offer. Highlights can include:
the hub of Waiheke Island is delightful Oneroa Village, offering numerous interesting specialty shops, cinema, art gallery, cafes, bars and restaurants all with wonderful views of Oneroa Bay 🛍️
Waiheke Island of Wine is known for its Bordeaux-style blends but has branched out and recently is known for award wining Syrahs 🍷
Wine Connoisseur’s can indulge in their passion for fine wine in an exclusive tour where you'll taste a selection of premium wines and learn about them from the winemaker 🍇
the gorgeous white sands of Onetangi Beach make this a popular swimming option for locals and visitors alike 🐚
a unique relaxed low impact way of seeing the island is by SegWai - and one of their offroad segway journeys
perfect for adventure and nature lovers, EcoZip Adventures offer flying-fox ziplines and a stunning eco-immersive forest walk 🌱
Wild on Waiheke combines archery, laser claybird shooting with a restaurant and brewery all set within a boutique vineyard 🎯🍷🍺
The Sculpture Park at Connells Bay showcases New Zealand artists, a place where art and nature are united to create special spaces 🎨
WAIHEKE ISLAND AT A GLANCE 🛏️ minimum 2 night stay recommended 📅 visit any time of year
📍 5.5 out of 10 visitors include Waiheke Island in their New Zealand itinerary
🌦️there is a chance of rain 3.5 days each week on average each year 🍽️Food + Wine experiences in this region were almost always mentioned as a highlight 🏳️🌈 LGBTQI+ friendly 👍
This part of New Zealand is home to:
Largest town: Oneroa
Popular places: Onetangi, Ostend, Surfdale, Omiha/Rocky Bay, Palm Beach, Matiatia, Kennedy Point, Orapiu and more...
Accessible by:
✈️board a plane and fly from Auckland (AKL) or Great Barrier Island (GBZ)
⛴️take a ferry from Auckland City or The Coromandel
