Waiheke Island Information

Image courtesy of Tourism New Zealand

Photos | View more photos of Waiheke Island

Video | View Hi-Res Waiheke Island Video

Map | View detailed map of Waiheke Island

Highlights of Auckland Region

Auckland Information

Auckland is New Zealand's largest and most culturally diverse city. Consistently rated as one of..

Piha Information

Piha is a laid-back seaside village 45 minutes west of Auckland city. The dramatic beach, which is..

Karekare Information

In 1993, Jane Campion’s Oscar Winning The Piano made Karekare an international star, with..

West Coast Information

Auckland's west, including Waitakere City and part of Rodney District, is famous for its great..

Auckland Harbour Information

Waitemata or Auckland Harbour as it is commonly known is a peaceful, sheltered area that lies just..

Matakana Information

Just an hour's drive north of Auckland is the town of Matakana, best known for its community..

Rangitoto Island Information

As if by design, just 600 years ago a volcanic mountain emerged from the sea to create Auckland's..

Sky Tower Information

Auckland's Sky Tower is a striking telecommunications and observation tower set in the heart of..

Waitakere Ranges Information

The Waitakere Ranges Regional Park covers 28 square kilometres of native forest, rivers and beaches..

See all locations in Auckland Region

One of the larger Hauraki Gulf islands, Waiheke is just 14 kilometres by ferry from the heart of Auckland city. It's a place that visitors, and the people who are lucky enough to live there, find particularly relaxing.

Home to many of New Zealand's successful artists, Waiheke has a longstanding arts and crafts focus. You'll find a number of galleries and craft outlets in the seaside shopping areas. There are plenty of places to enjoy a good coffee or a taste of New Zealand's clean, fresh cuisine. And with more than a dozen high-quality vineyards, Waiheke is a wine lover's delight. Many of the vineyards include relaxing cafe-style restaurants that look out across the vine-covered valleys to the blue sea beyond.

Several well signposted walkways can help you work up an appetite or walk off an indulgence. The trails include cliff tops, beaches and native forest enclaves. At the eastern end of the island, the Stoney Batter walkway leads to fascinating World War II gun emplacements with underground tunnels that run deep into the hillsides. The tunnels are open to the public, so bring a torch and a sense of adventure.

The popular northern Waiheke beaches at Oneroa, Palm Beach and Onetangi look out over the waters of the Hauraki Gulf. These safe, white sand beaches slope gently down into the sea, making them ideal for picnics, swimming, kayaking or seaside strolls.

Getting around on Waiheke is easy. There are public buses and taxis or you can hire a mountain bike, motor scooter or even a car. If you have your own bike, you can bring it over with you on the ferry. Accommodation on the island ranges from backpacker dorms to luxury boutique lodges.

Visiting Waiheke Island?

Highlights of North Island

Wellington Region Information

Explore the great outdoors, shop till you drop, sample the culinary delights, and wander..

Rotorua Information

The Rotorua region was the birthplace of New Zealand tourism in the 1800s and it remains one of New..

Wellington Information

Wellington’s many charms lie in part with it's close proximity to the natural attractions of the..

Bay of Plenty Information

Gardens and art are the stars of spring in the Bay of Plenty. The mild climate makes it the perfect..

Bay of Islands Information

The Bay of Islands is a micro-region that includes the towns of Opua, Paihia, Russell and Kerikeri..

Northlands Information

Spring in subtropical Northland brings the senses alive. Imagine ocean waves lapping on white sand..

Coromandel Information

Spring signals the opening of the Coromandel scallop season. Dive for scallops to barbeque yourself..

Hawkes Bay Information

A Mediterranean climate with long, fine dry summers and mild winters not only makes this a great..

Lake Taupo Information

Situated in the volcanic heart of the North Island, the Lake Taupo region is home to New Zealand's..

Napier Information

The port city of Napier is a popular tourist destination with its sweeping views of Hawke’s Bay..

Hastings Information

Fruit, wine and 1930s architecture give Hastings an appealing point of difference. The area was..

See all locations in North Island

Waiheke Island Information

Highlights of Auckland Region