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Waiheke Island, located in New Zealand, is the second largest island in the Hauraki Gulf. This island is famous for its beautiful landscapes of white sandy beaches, blue waters, amazing cuisine, world-class wines and many more. Because of its famous tourist spots, this place is considered to be the jewel of the Hauraki Gulf. This is the most populated island in the gulf. It is also famous for its beautiful vineyards, olive groves, and the experience of the seaside villages. This island is also considered to be the fifth largest island in New Zealand.
Waiheke Island Location
Photo: Ingolfson / Wikimedia Commons
The island is located in the Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand. It is situated on the western side of Matiatia Bay, which is also 13 km away from Auckland. This island is located off the coast of the North Island. The coastline of this island includes various beaches. The port of Matiatia is at the western end, Coromandel at the eastern end and Tarahiki to the east. This island has very few hilly areas, where the highest point, Maunganui, is at 231 meters.
How To Reach Waiheke Island
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By Air : Visitors shall land at the airport of Auckland. To reach Waiheke Island, there are helicopters or charter planes available from Auckland offered by Heletranz.
By Sea : the fuller passenger ferry is the most popular way to reach Waiheke Island from Auckland, which is about 40 minutes. After reaching the Island there are various public transport available to move around inside.
Places To Visit In And Around Waiheke Island
There are many amazing places to visit in and around Waiheke Island to have an amazing time.
1. Onetangi Beach
Photo: AlasdairW / Wikimedia Commons
Onetangi Beach, located on the north coast of Waiheke Island in New Zealand, is a long, white sand beach. The name of this beach translates to weeping sands in the Maori language, which came up after a battle in 1821. This beach is the longest one in Waiheke, which is a stretch of 2 km with many water activities like swimming and annual beach races going on. This beach is known for its clear turquoise waters, lush green surroundings and beautiful scenery, which is the ideal place for swimming, surfing and also having a peaceful dining experience at the cafes near the coast.
Location: Onetangi Beach, The Strand, Auckland 1081, New Zealand
Activities To Do: swimming and surfing
2. Te Motu Vineyard
Photo: russellstreet / Wikimedia Commons
Te Motu Vineyard is one of the oldest families that run vineyards in Waiheke. This vineyard was first planted in 1989 with a vision to produce wines that express the unique taste of Onetangi Valley, and they have been continuing to evolve and improve with age. This place also has an award-winning restaurant popularly known as The Shed, which is famous for its seasonal lead and garden-to-table cuisine. There are also wine-tasting activities available with premium wines and rare old wines available.
Location: Te Motu Vineyard, 76 Onetangi Road, Onetangi
Activities To Do: Wine tasting and exploring vineyards
3. Oneroa Beach
Photo: Avenue / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Oneroa Beach is one of the most famous beaches on Waiheke Island. It is a paradise for beach lovers because of its golden sand, clear water and beautiful scenery, which is an ideal destination for sunbathing, swimming and relaxing. This beach is surrounded by breathtaking views of the ocean and lush trees. There are also many water activities organised at this beach, like paddleboarding and kayaking. Many people also plan their picnic near the place to play various games on the beach and sit and relax.
Location: Oneroa Beach, 191 Ocean View Road, Oneroa
Activities To Do: swimming and sunbathing
4. Museum Of Waiheke
Photo: LittleT889 / Wikimedia Commons
The Waiheke Museum, located on Waiheke Island, is an ideal place to visit to learn more about the culture of the village and its history. This museum has a collection of artefacts in three adjacent cottages. This museum is a constructed woolshed housing, which is a 1930s-style island cottage used as a meeting room. There are three small beach-style houses with various photo exhibits and period rooms. It is one of the best places to visit on this island for people who are interested in knowing more about the livelihood of people, history, and culture of this place.
Location: Museum of Waiheke, 165 Onetangi Road
Activities To Do: Exploring the history and culture
5. Little Palm Beach
Photo: Kristina D.C. Hoeppner / Wikimedia Commons
Little Palm Beach is also one of the most famous beaches in Waiheke Island, which is located on the northern side of the island. It is famous for its beautiful scenery of white sand, palm trees and calm waters that are safe for swimming. Palm Beach has two picnic areas where there are playgrounds and barbecue areas, which is ideal for families to visit this place and enjoy an amazing weekend.
Location: Little Palm Beach, Miro Road, Auckland 1081, New Zealand
Activities To Do: swimming and picnicking
Where To Stay
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There are many hotels available in Waiheke Island that provide various facilities to tourists along with beautiful views of the natural scenery. There are many hotels that provide various amenities like a spa, swimming pool, free parking, wifi, beach access, room service, laundry service, children-friendly rooms, AC, hot tub and many more, along with dining options. Some of these hotels are Waiheke Island Resort, Kiwi House, Waiheke Backpackers Hotel, Onetangi Beach Apartments, Palm Beach Lodge, The Boatshed Hotel and many more.
Where To Eat
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There are many restaurants available in Waiheke Island that provide delicious food of various cuisines along with a beautiful view of the beaches. Most of these restaurants are located near the coastal area, which is an ideal place to enjoy a calm and amazing dining experience. There are many restaurants like Ki Maha Restaurant, The Archive Bar and Bistro, Fenice Cafe and Restaurant, Charlie Farley’s, Vino Vino Restaurant and Bar, Mudbrick Vineyard and Restaurant and many more.
Best Time To Visit
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The best time to visit Waiheke Island is between the months of October to November and March to April because during these months the weather is ideal for visiting beaches and exploring various activities on the island. During these months the entire island comes alive with lush green surroundings. To avoid crowds, it is ideal to visit this island during the late summer and autumn because the prices are cheaper and not much crowd is seen.
Other Factors To Consider
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Here are a few factors to consider while you plan your trip to Waiheke Island.
Average Cost Of The Trip
Taking into account the accommodation, food and tourism during the off-season, it costs nearly $34 for adults and during the peak season, it costs up to $44 dollars for adults.
Tips For Travellers
- Explore various water activities
- Visit the vineyards for a unique experience
- Avoid travelling during peak hours
- Plan a stay for at least two days
Waiheke Island, located in New Zealand, is one of the best places to visit in the country to explore the natural beauty. This place is famous for its amazing landscapes to spend time away from the busy city life. This is the best place to visit to enjoy time with family and friends amidst nature. From various beaches to waterfall activities, there are many things to explore on this island. To know more about this place and for further information to plan your trip, visit TripXL.
Cover Photo: Acp / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
