Top picks:

• Hire a bike or scooter and explore the island on two wheels
• Sample the award-winning wine and delicious food
• Explore a piece of WW2 history at the Stony Batter tunnels and gun emplacements
• Chill-out on  the sandy beaches

Fact file:

• Waiheke has a permanent population of 8000 people, but this swells to over 50,000 in summer
•  Waiheke is the third most populated island in the country after the North and South Islands
• Waiheke means ‘cascading water’ in Māori

Why visit?

Just imagine lazy days and holidays, vineyards, olive groves, farmland and beaches all just a 35-minute cruise from downtown Auckland.

There’s no need to imagine – that’s what you get on Waiheke Island – the Island of Wine.

The mere mention of Waiheke is enough to put a smile on anyone's face. It’s a great place to go to loosen-up, kick back and have some fun. There are a wide range of things to do on Waiheke including adventure both on and off the water. In a day you could visit art studios, sample local olive oils and award-winning wines and even Go Mountain biking or sea kayaking.

Several local and internationally renowned artists have chosen Waiheke as the base for their studios, and the island is also home to a number of vineyards, some with a stellar international reputation.

During the summer months there are plenty of beaches to choose from. Whether you seek a lively atmosphere with a range of beach activities, a secluded hideaway where you can have the beach to yourself, a golden sand beach or a rocky bush clad bay, Waiheke will have it.

Waiheke Island is a taonga (treasure) with many special places. National reserves like those on Waiheke protect the natural, historical and cultural heritage for all New Zealanders, and help to safeguard the bio-diversity of the planet.

Explore Waiheke Island this summer on a free guided walk or hike - great for people wanting to explore the Island but are not quite confident enough to go on their own.  Find out more.

Location

View Waiheke Island in a larger map