Walk, zip and ride around Waiheke
Whether you like to get out and about on shanks’ pony or prefer an easier way to travel, Waiheke can satisfy any level of adventurer with plenty to do, see, and eat and drink, writes Pamela Wade.
You’re in Auckland, you want a change of scene and some fun, and you want it to be easy... Waiheke Island is the answer. It has so much to offer, whatever your tastes, and it’s just a scenic, 40-minute ferry ride from the central city.
It’s time to check it out: all you have to do is choose how.
Car
You can hire a car in the ferry terminal on arrival at Ma¯tiatia Bay, but be sure to note the big red sign as you head up the hill towards the little town of Oneroa: ‘‘Slow down, you’re here’’.
Slip to island time and ease back on the throttle as you follow the narrow, hilly, winding – and sometimes unsealed – roads that will take you past beautiful beaches and through farmland all the way to the eastern end where you can walk to the Stony Batter gun emplacements, or sample some world-famous wine at the Man O’ War vineyard.
Alternatively, you could work your way around the home galleries of some of the island’s many and varied artists.
Bus
From the ferry terminal, you can catch one a bus to Oneroa and beyond, past some of Waiheke’s 30-plus boutique vineyards, or to beaches such as sheltered Palm Beach or the long and glorious Onetangi, each with eatery options for when you’re done with swimming in the clear blue water.
If you want more information about the island, there’s also an Explorer hop-on, hop-off service with a live commentary along the way. Or, opt for a private minibus tour of vineyards, wine and food, or the island generally.
Bike
In Oneroa, you can hire an ebike, or an electric scooter, which will take all the effort out of the hills, allow you to hear the birds as you skim along through the bush, and make it easy to stop often to check out the views, the cafes and food trucks, and get to on to all those beaches.
See bikesandbeyond.co.nz.
Segway
You can be met at the ferry, given cheerful instruction on a grassy field and then head straight away, off-road through the bush to do a tour of the western end of the island. Roads and beaches, history and gossip, challenges and rewards (Island Gelato is a standard stop, and so is the Mudbrick vineyard), make this a very fun two hours. See segwai.co.nz
Horse
Take a leisurely guided ride on a well-mannered horse over farmland, along beaches, up hills for wide views, through bush, and even be delivered to a vineyard for lunch – if that’s what you fancy. See waihekehorsetours.net.nz.
Boat
You can hire a kayak, or a stand-up paddleboard, and tag along on a guided tour around some of the island’s many bays, stopping off at one of them for refreshments, or head off on your own expedition. You might encounter dolphins or orcas, and you’ll be smitten with some of the secluded houses you’ll discover. You can do a sunset or even moonlight kayak tour, too, or scale it up and go for a proper sail. See kayakwaiheke.co.nz.
Plane
There’s an airfield on the island where you can board a little plane for a circuit of the island, spying on a remarkable number of impressive mansions tucked away around the coast with their own jetties and even helipads. You’ll also be amazed at the neatness of all the vineyards from above, and maybe get hungry seeing Te Matuku Oyster Farm’s lines of baskets in the sea.
See aucklandseaplanes.com
Zipline
Or you could fly in the open air instead. You can race a friend along the double ziplines that take you over a vineyard and then ancient forest. You’ll
start gently, but end up (on the third zipline) scooting for 220 metres down a cable so steep that you’ll be travelling faster than the local speed limit. Then you can enjoy the guided bushwalk back up to the top. The EcoZip Adventures team will meet you at the ferry, and give you an island highlights tour on the way to the zipline, before delivering you to a beach, winery or maybe Wild on Waiheke for some archery or claybird shooting.
See ecozipadventures.co.nz
Flippers
Strap them on for a small-group shore dive (scuba or snorkel) at a couple of carefully-chosen locations. You can even get instruction for your Padi certificate there, and hire any gear you might need. See waihekedive.com.
Feet
Waiheke is threaded with enjoyable walks, whatever your fitness level. From Ma¯tiatia, head up through the bush to Cable Bay and Mudbrick, or into Oneroa to poke around the quirky shops, admire the art in the galleries, or just work your way around the many cafes and restaurants, including the famous Oyster Inn. There are loop walks around peninsulas, with glorious views over the city and Rangitoto Island, bush and beach walks, through reserves and along quiet roads. Super-keen types might like to tackle the 100km Te Ara Hura walk that encircles the island – or just do sections here and there. In November, there’s an 18-day walking festival that opens up private land for group walks. See waihekewalkingfestival.org.