13 lavish things to do on Waiheke Island, New Zealand
Waiheke Island is famous for wine, beaches, and elegant accommodation. Here are the top activities on Auckland’s island of wine.
The first time I went to Waiheke Island was for a raucous wine tour with a hen’s party. That trip was a tipsy blur of vineyards, hot tubs, and an overwhelming awe at how pretty the island is.
The second time was a nature escape with a group of friends. I’ve been back solo, to hike around the island, and for more hen’s parties, festivals, and girls’ getaways.
All it takes is a 45-minute ferry ride from downtown Auckland to be whisked off to an island of wine, sun, and boutique brunches.
With white sand beaches, aquamarine water, sun-kissed vineyards and upmarket restaurants, Waiheke is one of the best overnight or day trip destinations from Auckland.
With so many things to do in Waiheke, it’s small wonder I’ve been back time and again.
Most people head to Waiheke for the picturesque vineyards, but there’s more to the island than sipping syrah. After exploring some of the local wineries, check out the many other wonderful things to do on Waiheke Island.
4 quick tips for visiting Waiheke Island
GETTING THERE: I recommend booking the Island Direct ferry instead of Fullers — the boats are smaller and with a guaranteed spot you can skip the lengthy queues for Fullers.
GETTING AROUND: It’s easy to get around on public buses, but you will need an AT Hop card, which you can pick up at the ferry terminal.
To get to the more remote parts of Waiheke, a rental car is the only option — bikes are a popular way to get around the centre of the island, but note that Waiheke has a few hills and it’s hot work pedalling in the summer sun.
BOOKING AHEAD: As a popular destination for Aucklanders, Waiheke gets busy on weekends. If you want to eat, make sure you call and make a booking in advance. Tables are at a premium on weekends, especially if you’re in a group.
WHEN TO GO: Many of Waiheke’s smaller vineyards are only open from Thursday or Friday through to Sunday. Check the opening times online before you go.
How to spend your time on Waiheke
What is there to do on Waiheke? Take your pick — you can be social or secluded, high end or low key, fashionable or laid-back.
Here are a few of my favourite Waiheke Island activities.
1. Visit the vineyards
Mudbrick vineyard
Casita Miro
Waiheke is the island of wine — most people flock to the island for wine tastings, or to enjoy a glass of vino in an idyllic island setting.
Visiting Waiheke’s vineyards is one of the best things to do in Auckland. What could be better than vineyards rolling down to the glittering Hauraki Gulf?
Waiheke’s wine isn’t as famous as Marlborough’s Sauvignon Blanc or Central Otago’s Pinot Noir, but you’ll still find some exceptional vintages.
The island is famous for its robust red varieties, with a lot of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Merlot blends.
Plus, the vineyards themselves are stunning. A tasting tour is definitely one of the best things to do on Waiheke, and can often be followed by a platter or vineyard lunch.
Waiheke has around 30 boutique vineyards, each one offering something different.
Whether you want small and intimate with a tasting guided by the vintner themselves, or a vineyard with a restaurant for lunch, every vineyard offers a tailored experience.
Personally, I prefer the smaller vineyards over the flashier numbers like Cable Bay, or the beer-garden-and-games vibe of Wild on Waiheke.
Some of my favourite vineyard spots are Casita Miro, Tantalus Estate, and Awaroa Winery.
Don’t miss: In summer, Casita Miro lays out bean bags and blankets under the olive trees on their hillside. It’s the ideal spot to enjoy a glass of wine and small plates.
Book a wine tour: The easiest way to get around Waiheke’s vineyards is to book a wine tour — I recommend this one.
That way, you’ll get to see the highlights, tick off several tastings, and not have to worry about transport when you’re stumbling out to the carpark of the third vineyard you visit.
Visiting the vineyards on a budget: The cheapest way to get around is via public bus.
Buses leave from right outside the ferry terminal and connect the main centres of the island, so you can get around pretty easily. Use the AT Journey Planner to see all your options.
Many of the vineyards are clustered together, so you can actually walk in between them.
From Tantalus, it’s only a five minute walk to Wild on Waiheke or a 15 minute walk to Te Motu Vineyard.
You can visit Waiheke’s vineyards on a day trip, but I think it’s worth staying overnight so you can enjoy a day of vineyard hopping without having to face a tipsy ferry ride back to the city afterwards.
If you’re short on time: The Waiheke Island Wine Centre in Oneroa has an excellent selection of wines from all over the island.
The team in store has a vast amount of local knowledge, and you can do a wine tasting in the shop — this is a great option if the vineyards are closed, or you don’t have time to visit multiple vineyards.
Waiheke winery map
2. Taste locally harvested oysters
The waters around Waiheke Island are just as bountiful as the lands.
Te Matuku Oysters are harvested from the clear waters of the Te Matuku Marine Reserve at the south east corner of the island.
The succulent pacific oysters flourish in the nutrient rich waters. They’re a favourite local delicacy to enjoy in New Zealand.
Oysters are best enjoyed on the day they’re harvested, so enjoying Te Matuku Oysters on Waiheke Island means savouring their plump, salty freshness — a culinary experience perfectly in line with Waiheke Island’s decadence.
You can sample local Waiheke oysters at the acclaimed Oyster Inn in Oneroa.
Run by chef Josh Emmett, the Oyster Inn is a simple, coastal inspired bistro and one of the best restaurants in Auckland. This means you can expect to find daily market fish alongside the freshly shucked oysters on offer, and ever changing seasonally inspired specials.
Other Waiheke restaurants serving local oysters include Mudbrick’s bistro, Cable Bay, and Casita Miro.
If you don’t have the chance to taste Te Matuku oysters on Waiheke, you can find them in some of Auckland’s top restaurants — check out Alma, Ahi, Cassia, or Cafe Hanoi.
3. Go for a hike around the island
There are plenty of things to do in Waiheke Island that don’t involve wine and food. Chief among these is walking the island.
The Te Ara Hura trail is a network of walking tracks that loop around the entirety of Waiheke Island. In my opinion, walking sections of this trail is one of the most overlooked activities on Waiheke.
One of the easiest parts of the Te Ara Hura trail to tackle is the section from Matiatia to Oneroa.
You can start the trail as soon as you get off the ferry. Just take a left from the Matiatia ferry terminal and follow the trail. It takes around two hours to walk around the coast to Oneroa village.
The track is gorgeous, looping past quiet bays and giant mansions alike. It’s nice to see more of Waiheke outside the polished vineyards and restaurants.
From Oneroa, you can walk back to the ferry terminal via the Oneroa Forest Path in around 40 minutes, so this walking trail makes a great option for a day trip from Auckland.
Whakanewha Regional Park is another of Waiheke’s hidden gems, and a great destination for a walk.
Although it’s located on the western side of the island, so the beaches aren’t as pretty as the white sand bays of the east coast, the regional park is an excellent spot for bird watching.
Fun fact | Whakanewha means “to shade the eyes from the setting sun” in Maori.
Waiheke Island is possum free, which means native bird and plantlife can thrive.
While walking through Whakanewha park, keep an eye out for endangered dotterels on the seashore, as well as tui, kereru, and other birds flitting through the trees.
A five kilometre walk — the Park Walk — loops around the park through coastal forest, past a stream with small waterfalls, and along the coast. It takes around 2.5 hours.
There are other options for walks around Waiheke, too:
From the ferry terminal, you can also turn right and follow a coastal path around the Matiatia Headland. This is a one and a half hour walk with views back towards Auckland city and the islands of Motuihe, Rangitoto, and Motutapu.
The Fisherman’s Rock path starts from Little Oneroa Beach and follows a coastal route past rocky coves and picnic spots.
4. Taste extra virgin olive oil pressed on the island
Cost: $10 for 15 minutes
As well as being an ideal climate for grapes, Waiheke also produces top notch olive oil.
Visit the Allpress Tasting Room and Store at Rangihoua Estate to try extra virgin olive oils crafted from hand-picked Waiheke olives.
The signature tasting experience is a fun way to learn more about varietals and blends of olive oil, just like a wine tasting.
You can also shop for extra virgin olive oils from Rangihoua Estate, Allpress, and number29, which capture the island’s golden sunshine in every bottle.
If your curiosity is truly piqued, you can even swing for a mill tour.
You can also purchase olive oil pressed from the island’s trees at the Tantalus Estate cellar door. The estate grows a variety of trees, which they hand harvest each year.
You can choose from full bodied and peppery Spanish varieties, or rich nutty Italian ones.
5. Sink your toes into white sand at one of Waiheke’s beaches
Onetangi Beach in the morning
The northern edge of Waiheke Island is lined with white-sand bays. Calm, still waters make these beaches perfect for swimming, and the soft sand is ideal for lounging.
Oneroa is one of my favourite beaches in the whole Auckland region. The water is like blue glass and the sand as soft and white as vanilla gelato.
Little Oneroa Beach, a small bay at the eastern end of Oneroa Beach, is a secluded spot to spend a few hours.
Onetangi Beach is also beautiful. It’s a longer stretch of sand, so a good place for beach walks.
6. Have a picnic
7. Go ziplining with EcoZip Adventures
Cost: $139 for an adult
EcoZip Adventures offers a different perspective of Waiheke.
The zipline cables are stretched high across a working vineyard and forest canopies. You’ll get great views as you whizz through the air.
Dual cables mean you can zipline alongside another person, taking photos of each other on the way.
As an added bonus, you get to go on a short nature walk too, and your guides will teach you more about the island and conservation efforts being made to protect the native bush.
EcoZip is just down the road from Batch Winery, so you can head there after for a celebratory glass and nibbles.
8. Visit the Waiheke Distilling Co for boutique botanical gins
Photo - Waiheke Distilling Co
Photo - Waiheke Distilling Co
Waiheke Distilling Co might be one of New Zealand’s most scenic distilleries, set on the ridge above Cowes Bay.
It’s a little out of the way, but worth the trip. Plus it’s only a 10-minute drive from Man O’War, so you can easily combine the two.
The craft distillery has a garden bar where you can enjoy a gin and tonic with a view. And what a view it is, looking out across other islands studding the bright blue water of the Hauraki Gulf.
You can also take home a bottle as a Waiheke souvenir — try the Spirit of Waiheke gin, which is crafted from dried New Zealand kelp.
8. Try your hand at archery at Wild On Waiheke
Wild On Waiheke is a one stop shop for fun on Waiheke Island. You can eat at their restaurant, order craft beer or boutique wine, and then go and enjoy archery among the vines.
There’s also the option of laser clay bird shooting, to test your hand eye coordination after a couple of drinks.
If archery or clay bird shooting isn’t your thing, you can also play giant chess or a game of petanque.
9. Eat ice cream at Island Gelato
You can’t leave Waiheke without a giant double cone from Island Gelato.
You’ll find this ice cream shop in the middle of Oneroa (and they also have an ice cream shop on Ponsonby Road). The decadent gelato flavours are all made from scratch, using ingredients from around New Zealand.
This is some of the best ice cream in Auckland — what better way to savour it than on a walk down to the stunning Oneroa beach.
10. Go for a nudie swim
Waiheke Island wasn’t always a luxury getaway. The island used to be the domain of hippies before fancy vineyards and swarms of hen’s parties took over the island.
The unofficial nudist beach at Little Palm Beach feels like a slice of the old Waiheke Island. You can catch a glimpse of a more bohemian way of life here.
This small bay is tucked away from the larger Palm Beach, so it has a lovely private feel. The beach is a pretty spot to swim and sunbathe. I came here with a group of friends unaware that people like to hang out here nude.
Although that was a surprise to realise, t’s not at all creepy and you’ll see people of all ages (and shapes and sizes) stripping off and enjoying the sunshine.
11. Relax at a forest spa
12. Go for a drink at The Heke
The Heke is a super fun bar, with lots of outdoor seating and games to get stuck into.
Food is prepared over a wood fire. It’s a great place to park up for the afternoon and enjoy a long island Waiheke iced tea (or four).
It also makes a nice change of pace from fancy vineyards, if you’re with a family or group.
13. Enjoy a long lunch at Poderi Crisci
Embrace the Italian tradition of a long and sumptuous weekend lunch at Poderi Crisci.
On Saturdays and Sundays, the Italian long lunch tradition is faithfully observed at this Tuscany inspired winery.
Their Italian lunch (il pranzo) is famous Waiheke wide, with a menu that changes weekly. Lunch begins at midday and goes until 4.30pm, so wear loose fitting clothes and settle in.
Make sure you book in advance, and check out transport options before you go. Poderi Crisci is a little out of the way, on the east of the island, so you’ll probably need to organise a shuttle there and back.
How do you spend a day on Waiheke Island?
If you only have one day, I recommend choosing two vineyards to explore — go for wine tastings and a fancy lunch. Then walk off the wine and food with a stroll around Oneroa, down to the beach or around the coast.
Explore Oneroa’s boutiques and galleries, grab a gelato, and enjoy the island atmosphere, before making your way back to Auckland.
How much time do you need on Waiheke Island?
Although you can visit Waiheke for a day, to get the most out of the experience I recommend staying for at least one night to enjoy the island vibes.
You can stay in holiday homes with glorious sea views, or find places tucked away in native bush. Accommodation on Waiheke Island is an experience in itself.
You can even stay in cottages at Mudbrick vineyard, for a fully immersive experience.
Waiheke is sprinkled with classic baches (holiday homes) as well as more luxurious options. The best place to look is on Airbnb or Bookabach.
There are a lot of romantic options, but plenty of larger homes for rent too — perfect for a girl’s getaway or weekend escape with friends.
Getting to Waiheke Island
Catching the ferry to Waiheke Island is easy, fast, and convenient. There are two passenger ferries that depart from the downtown Auckland ferry terminal:
Island Direct ($50 return) is a small, local ferry which you can book online in advance. I recommend this option as it’s far less busy onboard and you’re guaranteed to get on at your chosen time.
The Fullers passenger ferry ($55 return) also leaves from Britomart in central Auckland, but the regular ticket is walk up only (you have to pay more for a reserved time) which means queuing up at the terminal. It’s pretty busy and in peak times you might not get on the sailing you want, unless you arrive 30 minutes in advance. Ferries leave approximately every hour from 6am-midnight, and there’s no need to pre-book a ticket.
If you’d like to get around Waiheke in your own car, there is also the option of taking the Sealink car ferry across to the island.
How long is the ferry from Auckland to Waiheke Island?
The ferry from Auckland city to Waiheke takes around 40 minutes.
For more details on how to get to Waiheke, and how to get around the island once you’re there, check out my tips on getting around Waiheke.
Thanks for reading this far! I hope you found some ideas for things to do on Waiheke, and enjoy the island as much as I do — here’s a snapshot of me and my friends, happily drunk on several bottles of Waiheke wine.
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