Planning a Waiheke day trip from Auckland? This island nestled in the Hauraki Gulf is a real gem. With its white sandy beaches, renowned wineries, and breathtaking scenery, Waiheke Island is the perfect place for a day of relaxation and adventure. Let me share my experience exploring Waiheke Island on foot.

How to get to Waiheke Island: ferry and first steps

The ferry to Waiheke: practical information

To start our day on Waiheke Island, we first had to get there. We took the Fullers360 ferry. As recommended, we arrived 30 minutes before the ferry departed. So it was 8:30 a.m. and we were waiting patiently for our ferry. My only advice is to buy your tickets in advance, so you don’t have to queue. Also, depending on the season, there can be a LOT of people wanting to get to the islands. So I advise you to arrive well in advance, as the first to come will be the first to board the ferry.

After about a 40-minute crossing (and a nice view of the Hauraki Gulf) we disembarked on Waiheke Island.

Après environ 40 minutes de traversée (et une vue plutôt sympa sur le golfe Hauraki) nous débarquons sur Waiheke Island.

First glimpse of Waiheke island

Once we arrived, we had several options for exploring Waiheke Island. The most popular was to rent a bike or a car. Indeed, as the island is almost 20 kilometers wide, I must admit that it’s quite difficult to do everything on foot. Nevertheless, loving a challenge, we opted for this option. In the end, we weren’t disappointed, as it allowed us to discover little hiking trails that we wouldn’t have found if we’d gone by bike or scooter/car. I warn you (and your calves) in case you want to go by bike, the island is very hilly.

Waiheke Island on foot: my detailed itinerary

Oneroa: cafés and coastal paths

Having decided to visit the island on foot, we headed for the first hike we saw, namely Owhanake Bay Loop (3.1 km – 146 m ascent). Rather easy, it follows the coastline and offers pretty views over it.

It also takes you to the town of Oneroa, where there are lots of cute stores and cafés. Btw, we had a pain au chocolat with almonds (yes, I was also pleasantly surprised to see them and that they were good) at the café Frenchie, which we enjoyed on Oneroa beach.

We then set off again on the Oneroa Beach Track (3.5 km – 75 m ascent) and Fishermans Rock Track (1.61 km – 57 m ascent). Like the first hike, these are not difficult. But expect to climb 127 steps (yes, I counted) if you want to see Fisherman’s Rock.

Palm Beach: the gem of Waiheke

We continue our “short” walk to Palm Beach. We take the Hekerua Bay to Palm Beach Loop trail (7.4 km – 246 m ascent). This was my favorite hike of the day. The views over the bay and Little Palm Beach are just sublime! I’ll let you judge for yourself.

The hike takes you directly to Little Palm Beach, where you can swim if you wish. In our case, the temperatures were still somewhat cool (and we hadn’t brought our bathing suits like the dimwits we are).

I must confess, though, that the walk did whet our appetites. So we headed for Arcadia and we weren’t disappointed! Their burger was incredible! The best reward after such a long walk.

Onetangi Beach: the wild jewel

The main aim of our walk was to reach Onetangi Beach. This beach is famous for its 1.5 km of white sand and its peacefulness. To do this, we took the Onetangi Beach Walk (3.2 km – 19 m ascent). Similar to the other trails, this one doesn’t represent a major challenge.

Finally arriving at Onetangi Beach, we walk along the beach for a few minutes. It’s a very pretty beach with no bathing facilities. Perfect if you want to relax and chill out on the beach. Nevertheless, from you to me, I clearly preferred the views we had during the hike to when we were on the beach itself. After that, you should know that I’m not someone who likes to sit on the beach all afternoon.

Back to Auckland

Waiheke is known for its many vineyards. Initially, we had planned to go to Batch Winery for a tasting and lunch, as their menu looked incredible! However, due to a lack of time (and mostly a lack of leg strength), we decided to cut the trip short and head back to port. Yes, from Onetangi Beach, it was about a 2h30 walk.

However, as we walked along the beach, we noticed a bus stop and that the bus to the port would be arriving in just 10 minutes! I have to admit that the decision was quickly made, and we obviously opted for the bus. However, note that to take the bus, you can only pay via the AT HOP card that you buy when you get off the ferry… Something we didn’t know. We were lucky enough to find a nice driver who let us get on (without paying). Nevertheless, here’s a tip: if you ever plan to take the bus, buy the AT HOP card as soon as you get off the ferry. It’ll save you a lot of trouble.

Arriving at the port, we noticed a HUGE number of people waiting to board the 4.00 pm ferry. Being very far back in the queue, we still managed to get on. However, some people weren’t so lucky and had to wait for the next ferry, which was at … 5.00 pm, 1 hour later. Yeah, pretty annoying. So I’d advise you to arrive about 30 minutes early to be sure of getting on the ferry, especially if you’re going during the high season peak (November to February).

Budget for a day trip to Waiheke Island

To give you an idea, here’s what we spent on our day trip to Waiheke Island. Note that we opted to visit Waiheke Island on foot. So you’ll need to budget a little more if you want to rent a bike/scooter/car or take the bus.

Final Word and My Opinion of Waiheke Island

Visiting Waiheke Island was an experience I thoroughly enjoyed. Indeed, having landed in Auckland, I must confess I wasn’t charmed by the city. I didn’t really feel like I’d arrived in New Zealand. However, as soon as I set foot on Waiheke Island, I felt immediately out of place. It was the first time I said to myself “Okay, Gwen, you’re in New Zealand”. So I can only recommend +++ that you go there!

As usual, don’t hesitate to leave a comment if you have any questions about your future visit to Waiheke Island or any additional information you’d like to share.

La Bise,