Ambiance
The name Waiheke means "the descending waters" in Maori after an explorer Kahumatomomoe who landed on the island to urinate. Initially only a stream at Onetangi bore this name but now days, Waiheke refers to the entire island.
Waiheke is only a hop, skip from Auckland city and is the ideal place for a weekend getaway or as a base for overseas travellers to enjoy the beaches and explore Auckland.
The island is well known for its vineyards and produces some excellent wines. Needless to say, wine tasting is a "must do" activity on Waiheke. The island also offers exceptional cuisine from casual alfresco meals overlooking the ocean to fine dining experiences.
Waiheke has many resident artists with numerous small galleries and shops displaying unique artwork as well as an art trail, out door sculptures and festivals throughout the year.
For the more adventurous visitors, there are spectacular walking trails around the island and underground military tunnels at Stoneybatter to explore.
Getting There
Waiheke is only a short ferry ride (35 to 45 mins) from Auckland with regular ferry departures from the City, Devonport on the North Shore and Halfmoon Bay in the Eastern Suburbs. There are two major ferry operators, Fullers and SeaLink. All ferries have onboard Cafes where you can purchase a snack and a glass of wine and sit back and enjoy the view spectacular views of Auckland City and the Islands in the Hauraki Gulf. The ferries operate in all weather and it is usually a smooth enjoyable ride even in rough seas.
There are also fixed wing or helicopter flight services operating between Auckland and Waiheke. Its only about a 15 minute flight offering fabulous views and a once in a lifetime experience for many.
Fullers run a regular passenger ferry service departing from downtown Auckland Ferry Terminal every hour on the hour between 9 am and 5 pm with extra early morning and evening ferries. Some sailings go via Devenport – see their for further details and prices.
SeaLink runs a comprehensive car and passenger ferry service to Waiheke Island. Up to 14 return sailings a day depart from Half Moon Bay in Auckland’s eastern suburbs. A city ferry also departs from Brigham Street (opposite Auckland’s Fish Market) on Friday nights and weekends during summer – see their for more details and prices.
Waiheke is a 12 minute flight from Helilink’s base in Mechanics Bay in Downtown Auckland. This is a convenient way to transfer to Waiheke from the city and especially popular for weddings and other events. Contact for more details.
Beaches
Palm Beach is undoubtedly one of the best beaches on Waikehe Island. It is a protected north facing spot with calm waters, white sand and native bush. There is parking with easy access to the beach, safe swimming and plenty of fun in the sun to be had! It’s a perfect spot for families with a kids playground as well as a dairy that sells ice-cream. Best of all its just a couple of minutes stroll down the garden path from Palm Beach Lodge.
Discreetly located around the rocks at the west end of Palm Beach is Little Palm Beach, a "clothes optional" nudist beach. This popular little bay is a great spot for skinny dipping and avoiding those nasty tan lines!
With 50 miles of coastline there are plenty of other scenic beaches for you to explore on Waiheke. Oneroa beach is just below the main shopping area and is often the busiest beach on the Island. Onetangi is Waiheke's longest beach and is great for walks (although it can be quite windy!). Both Oneroa and Onetangi have numerous restaurants and cafes and are great places for a day trip.
Walks
Walking is the perfect way to take in the beautiful scenery and explore Waiheke Island. See the beautiful bays, stunning architecture, sculptures and natural beauty of the island.
There are plenty of scenic walks for all ages and abilities on the island, from a leisurely stroll along one of the beautiful beaches (Ontetangi and Oneroa are perfect for this) to challenging tramps for the more energetic and adventurous travelers.
Auckland City have excellent marked walkways around the island. Be warned that Waiheke is very hilly so some of the walks are quite steep and require a good level of fitness.
The walks below vary from one to three hours in length with most being aproximately two hours.
– Matiatia, Church Bay, Oneroa
– Matiatia, Owhanake, Oneroa
– Oneroa, Blackpool
– Herekua Bay, Palm Beach
– Rocky Bay, Te Whau
– Rocky Bay, Whakanewha
– Onetangi
– Orapiu, Pearl Bay
Waiheke Wedding Accommodation
A wedding is a very special occasion so it's no wonder that many couples choose to be married on Waiheke Island. It is the picture perfect destination and only a short ferry ride from Auckland city.
Palm Beach Lodge is the perfect place to accommodate your family and guests. With 8 double bedrooms that can be arranged as twin singles and doubles plus cots and mattresses for kids, there is plenty of space for your wedding party.