About Waiheke Island

Beautiful Waiheke Island is famous for its scenery, vineyards, beaches, food and art but also boasts a wonderful wacky side. You’ll see primitive colourful baches nestled next to millionaire’s holiday homes but Waiheke Islanders still love things as they used to be. Aged hippies and barefoot kids queue beside suited commuters for the half hour trip from Auckland to the island.

Waiheke – its name means cascading waters – was settled first by Māori in 1200, rediscovered by the hippy generation in the 1960s and more recently by Aucklanders wanting holiday homes close by.

The island was originally covered in dense rainforest which was cleared for farming by early Māori and European farmers. Today much of it is being reforested with native bush which thrives next to long sandy beaches, olive groves and over 40 vineyards.

Waiheke has a vibrant community; all year round it hosts festivals for walking, jazz, art, wine, and books plus its wharf-to-wharf run attracts runners from all over the world. You can swim, fish, kayak, hire a bike or car, play golf and tennis, catch a scenic flight, learn to paddleboard, take an art, or wine tour or simply enjoy sampling local oysters and wines in some of Auckland’s top-rated restaurants.

Just 9000 people live here permanently, but this swells to around 25,000 during summer when families and tourists come to holiday in the sun and wedding couples tie the knot on their favourite beach.

Waiheke’s a microcosm of the best in New Zealand. The islanders would say it’s long been their best kept secret, but paradise has now been discovered.