WHAT TO DO ON WAIHEKE ISLAND
There is no shortage of things to do on this island; whether you go there for sipping wine and relaxing or exploring, there is something for everyone.
“My favorite thing we did on Waiheke Island was driving around, exploring different vineyards and beaches while taking in the rolling green hills.”
What to Do
List of Services
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Hop Around the Stunning VineyardsList Item 1
Over the years I have been lucky enough to visit Napa, Sonoma, the Yarra Valley and some other gorgeous wine regions. Something about wandering around vineyards is so enjoyable and I also the vineyards have stunning views of the crystal-clear blue waters that surround Waiheke Island. One of the vineyards is actually right on the beach, and another has views of Auckland in the distance. They all have something unique and stunning to offer, but some of my favorites included Cable Bay and Mudbrick.
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Spend Time at the BeachList Item 2
If you are planning a trip to visit Waiheke, then you should definitely spend as much time at the beach as possible. There are tons of beaches located around this island and each one is unique in its own way. These are my favourite beaches on Waiheke that we discovered during our trip. I really loved Oneroa Beach and Man O’ War beach, but honestly each and every beach was so different, so exploring them was half the fun.
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Shopping in Downtown Oneroa
Downtown Oneroa is one of the most adorable little towns I have ever been to. It ranks in my top three little towns right next to Nantucket in Massachusetts and Downtown Annapolis in Maryland. There are lots of cute shops, art galleries, cafes, and an amazing gelato shop. You have to spend a few hours wandering around and enjoying this area. The best part? When you’re done you are a 2 minute walk from the stunning Oneroa Beach. My favorite places in downtown Onera were The Island Grocer, an adorable little grocery store featuring local artisanal items, and Island Gelato Company which is an amazing open air shop made from a shipping container featuring unique gelato flavors. Okay I’m drooling now just thinking about it, haha.
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Hike & Bike
Waiheke has a vast variety of hiking and biking trails that vary in level of intensity. So, after you eat that big gelato cone you can hit one of the many hiking trails to explore the island. Getting around by bicycle is also very popular, and a lot of people opt for electric bikes as Waiheke is actually quite hilly. Either by foot or by bike, there are tons of opportunities to get active.
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The Walking Trails
A unique thing about Waiheke is that there is an intricate system of walking trails, located all around the island. When you arrive on the island you can grab a free map of the trails at the ferry terminal. I highly recommend checking some of these trails out and exploring the island by foot.
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Self Guided Culinary Tour
I have been to New Zealand twice and each time i’ve been there I have been absolutely blown away by the food. New Zealand has a focus on fresh, wholesome, local ingredients in their dishes and you can taste the difference. The culinary scene on Waiheke Island was definitely a highlight of our trip, so I highly recommend hopping around and trying as many different dishes at as many different places as possible. Remember, there are a lot of walking trails so you can walk some of it off!
