Waiheke is a small island in the Hauraki Gulf to the east of Auckland. It’s a fun relaxing day trip or weekend getaway if you’re visiting Auckland.
TRANSPORTATION
Take a short ferry ride (about 35-40 minutes) from downtown Auckland. Or you can take an even shorter helicopter ride combined with lunch at a winery!
Once you arrive at the island, your transportation options are walk, taxi, bus, car rental, or scooters. Cars can be rented near the Matiana ferry terminal. The island is hilly and the wineries are spread out, so if you plan to go wine tasting, I’d recommend renting a car or going on a bus tour that will take you to a few wineries and around the island. Fullers offers a variety of tours to choose from.
THINGS TO DO
Waiheke has wineries, beaches, hiking, and art galleries. The main village Onera is about a 10 to 20 minute walk from the ferry terminal or a short bus ride away. Here you’ll find cafes, shops, and restaurants.
Sample itinerary for a day trip: Visit one or two wineries for wine tasting, have lunch, and take a stroll through the main village.
If you’re spending a few days here: Add on some beach time or hiking and take a scenic drive around the island.
WINE
Waiheke is a unique wine growing region. It has over thirty wineries and produces a number of award-winning wines. The island’s climate and long mild season make it ideal for varietals like Syrah.
We visited Cable Bay Vineyards which is in a modern building that showcases the beautiful views. It’s a very peaceful setting from the moment you walk down the steps. We tasted a variety of wines at the tasting room (cellar door) including Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, and Syrah from Waiheke. It was interesting to compare and contrast these wines styles to those from other parts of New Zealand and Australia. Cable Bay also has wines from other regions like Marlborough, renowned for Sauvignon Blanc, and Central Otago.
After wine tasting, spend some time outside to enjoy the grounds. There are also two restaurants onsite: the Dining Room and the more casual Verandah. The staff was very nice and helpful. It was overall a pleasant experience and I would recommend stopping in at Cable Bay if you visit Waiheke.
Other popular and highly recommended wineries that we did not get a chance to visit are Mudbrick and Stonybridge. Both have nice restaurants.
Check out the Waiheke Wine Association website for more info about wineries, accommodations, and restaurants.
Thanks for reading!
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