Forty minutes from downtown by ferry: white-sand bays, olive groves and vineyards on every hill, and a pace of life that makes most visitors wish they'd booked a night.
Waiheke is the second-largest island in the Hauraki Gulf, a ferry ride from the city but a world away: rolling farmland, native bush, sheltered bays and around thirty vineyards.
Ferries land at Matiatia on the western tip. A short walk or bus ride away is Oneroa, the main village, strung along a ridge above its own beach and the smaller, sheltered Little Oneroa.
Further east, Palm Beach is a pretty cove and Onetangi is a long stretch of sand with beach bars. The hills above Matiatia hold some of the island's best-known winery restaurants, with views back to the Auckland skyline.
The island's own wines are known especially for Bordeaux-style reds and Syrah. Olive groves, art galleries and coastal walks fill the gaps.
Beach in the morning, vines in the afternoon.
Sit outside on the morning ferry for views of Rangitoto and the islands.
Walk up to Oneroa for coffee, then down to swim at Oneroa or Little Oneroa.
Ride the bus along the island to the cove at Palm Beach and the long sands of Onetangi.
Book a long lunch at a vineyard restaurant with a gulf view.
Walk down to Matiatia for an evening ferry, the skyline glowing ahead.
Passenger ferries run frequently from the downtown ferry terminal; a car ferry sails from Half Moon Bay.
Public buses meet every ferry. There's also a hop-on, hop-off bus, taxis, e-bike hire and winery tours.
Summer weekends are busy and popular restaurants book out; go midweek if you can.
Auckland practical notes →Photographs from Wikimedia Commons and Pexels under their licences.
