Ease into your island escape with a day on Onetangi Beach, where the sand is soft, the water is clear, and there’s plenty of space for swimming, beach games, and sandcastle building. When hunger calls, head to Charlie Farley’s for a laid-back lunch with beach views and a menu that keeps both kids and grown-ups happy. In the afternoon, treat the family to ice cream from Island Gelato in Oneroa (closed during Winter) before grabbing Two Fat Buns burgers to enjoy back at your accommodation, a perfect, low-key way to end your first day.
3 Day Family Fun Adventure
Three days of sun, adventure, and discovery. Great for kids aged 5 and up, with a mix of beach time, active adventures, and creative island experiences.
3
Days
Make the most of your family getaway with three fun-filled days on Waiheke Island.
Stay close to the sand in Onetangi for easy beach access and plenty of free seaside fun. Mix relaxing moments with active adventures, from ziplining and archery to exploring art trails and boutique shops. With family-friendly cafés, hands-on activities, and plenty of space for kids to run, this itinerary blends paid attractions with simple pleasures, topped off with classic Kiwi fish and chips on the beach.
Get the adrenaline pumping at EcoZip Adventures, where you can soar over vineyards and native bush on dual ziplines (30kg–125kg weight range; under 18s must be accompanied by an adult). Next, test your aim with Clay Bird Shooting and Archery at The Untamed Winery, a hit with older kids and teens. When it’s time to wind down, head to The Heke for dinner and hours of family entertainment: a giant inflatable jumping pillow, Tonka truck fleet in the gravel “quarry,” giant sand river, mud kitchen for pretend cooking, Stormy the life-sized horse, lawn games, and even a golf simulator for parents.
Slow the pace and soak up Waiheke’s creative side. Stroll the coastal pathways and, if you’re visiting during the season, take in Sculpture on the Gulf or explore smaller outdoor artworks dotted around the island. Visit the Waiheke Community Art Gallery for an inspiring glimpse into local creativity, then enjoy a gentle walk from Oneroa to Little Oneroa, stopping in the village for some boutique shopping and sweet treats along the way. Finish your trip with the ultimate Kiwi tradition — fish and chips on the sand at Little Oneroa Beach as the sun goes down.
