Waiheke Island, New Zealand

Who would have thought that just a forty five minute ferry journey from the city centre of Auckland lies a vineyard covered beautiful island? It is one of my favourite places in the world.

Waiheke is the most populated island in the Hauraki Gulf and is home to world class vineyards, white sand beaches and stunning viewpoints. On this particular visit I decided to concentrate on walking over the headland but I did manage to fit in one vineyard on the way back to the ferry terminal.

As you leave the ferry terminal walk about ten minutes up the hill and on the left there will be a track which follows the headland and eventually leads you to the main village on the island, Oneroa. The whole walk will take approximately three hours.

The views from the headland truly are stunning.

Hidden bays appeared around corners.

One of my favourite things to do was looking at all of the dream homes that must belong to some very wealthy people. The views from these houses were spectacular.

Views like these……..

And these……

More stunning coves kept appearing and unbelievably the views kept getting better and better.

The water was so still it was like glass.

 

The walk culminated in this beautiful lookout point. Probably one of the best views I have seen in New Zealand.

The walk eventually led us into Oneroa village.

We had lunch at Wai Kitchen overlooking this view.

I had the mushrooms on sourdough toast with goats cheese, walnuts and a poached egg.

On the way back to the ferry we stopped off for a glass of bubbles at Cable Bay Vineyard.

The view in the picture above is the view from the vineyard – breathtaking.

We had a great day on Waiheke Island and the best thing is how accessible it is from the city centre.

Find out more about Waiheke here.