Why Waiheke Island?
Many Things to See and Do
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Waiheke Island is in the Hauraki Gulf of New Zealand and is situated 18 kms east of Downtown Auckland City. (Travel time is approximately 35 min by fast frequent passenger ferry service from the City Ferry Buildings.). The island is serviced by two ferry companies, Fullers passenger ferries as above and Sealink fast catamaran vehicular/passenger ferries sail often from East Auckland’s Half Moon Bay suburb.
The Island is a picturesque blend of beaches, vineyards, olive groves, farmland and forest. It is blessed with awesome coastal scenery and is named by some as the Island of Many Views. The climate is temperate, sub tropical and considered to be two degrees warmer than Auckland.
The resident population is approximately 8000, a blend consisting of city commuters, vineyard staff, hospitality staff, property owners, social infrastructure staff, builders and retirees etc. There are a significant number of absent recreational property owners who visit the island for their holidays/breakaways. The facilities on the island includes a post office, banks, medical centres, small shops, one supermarket, builders handyman centre, council branch offices, ambulance and fire brigade to name a few.
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Accommodation on the island is geared for the visitor and there is a wide range of styles and quality to meet all needs.
Visitor infrastructure includes: Buses (meeting all passenger ferries), Taxis, Rental Cars (based at the ferry terminal), Day and Hourly Bus Tours, Specialty Island, Vineyard and Art Tours. There are numerous Café/Restaurants (some by the beach) and a range of good quality Vineyard Restaurants.
There is a light aircraft airfield and heliports, musical and historic museums, nine hole golf course, an outdoor activity centre and at the eastern end Stony Batter, a large Harbour Defence installation, which housed three World War II nine-inch guns and has extensive underground connecting tunnels.
The leading Island vineyards and restaurants continually receive both national and international awards proving the highest of standards and enjoyment.
The island is a very popular wedding destination as it has idyllic beach and vineyard settings. Some of the premium vineyard restaurants specialise as complete or partial wedding reception venues and can be booked out well in advance of the event. As well there are other prominent function centres on the island.
Visitors to the island are able to enjoy the close proximity of this idyllic island paradise to the countries largest city.
Some of the Things to See and Do on the Island
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- Breakfast in the village
- Lunch or dinner at internationally awarded vineyards.
- Visit Olive groves and taste high quality Olive oil
- Art galleries and artist studio's
- Experience a sculpture park and garden
- Take a guided vineyard or art tour
- Rent a car and explore
- Self tour the island for awesome coastal scenery
- Visit Fort Stony Batter for historic defence guns and underground tunnels. Fantastic views of the Hauraki Gulf from up here
- Historic and musical museums
- Take in the latest movie at the funky theatre.
- While time away at a beachside cafe's or Restaurant
- Have a swim at a safe white sand beach
- Fishing Charters
- Sea Kayaking
- Summer sailing charters
- Relax and read a book
