Find a bit of everything in Onetangi
Onetangi is a popular suburb on Waiheke. If you're a surfer you’ll be stoked to know this town is home to one of the longest beaches on Waiheke, with some mega waves going on. Onetangi is a fantastic place to set up a picnic for a long, hot day at the beach. This sparse stretch of sand is also home to the Onetangi Beach Races. Included in the lineup are horse & tractor racing, and even kids' karts. Starting in 1922, the races have now been going on for over 100 years and attract many tourists and locals alike over the February/March months. All year round Onetangi boasts some amazing swimming spots and may even be the go-to as far as the whole island is concerned. Onetangi is no stranger to Waiheke’s love of wine! It has vineyards including, Wild Estate, Stonyridge, Obsidian Wines, and Casita Miro.
Once you’ve indulged in all of the many vineyards on this island of plenty, it’s time to ease that adventurous spirit in you. For those who love heights and want to give a humble brag to their friends, Eco Ziplining sure fits the purpose. Swoop as fast as up to 50 mph gliding through forests and vineyards. It sounds as it is, a whole lot of fun for the adrenaline junkies.
Onetangi is the place to be and is quite the little hub to adventure in., especially if you are into hiking or bird watching. If you explore around Onetangi you will no doubt bump into the 62-hectare native bush reserve. Launch into one of the many walks here or take a quick 15-minute stroll. Long or short walks are picturesque in this lovely reserve. Expect to get taken aback by the beautiful native bushes and charming bird life.
Find the heart of Waiheke with Oneroa
Oneroa brings its ‘A game’ when it comes to showcasing Waiheke’s artistic side. This township has an area called the Oneroa Art Path, which falls on one of Oneroa’s main streets. Here, on the northern side of Waiheke, you will get to experience many creative pursuits and pieces of art that decorate the township. The Oneroa Art Path is home to the Sculpture on the gulf festival that happens every 2 years. Stroll along the track and be greeted with eclectic and truly unique sculptors by a range of curated artists. Just around the corner, is Little Oneroa beach which is very much a top-shelf swimming beach. To get two times the beach experience, at low tide you can walk right through from Oneroa Beach to Little Oneroa Beach, around the headland and rocky area.
Oneroa is also home to the prestigious Waiheke Community Art Gallery, which has been mentioned in publications like Lonely Planet and the New York Times. If you want to see a mix of creations, expect to get lost in the many awe-inspiring paintings, ceramics, photos, and jewelry. Of course, you also will be treated to some musical entertainment too- and why not when you have the Whittaker’s Musical Museum at your doorstep, here in Oneroa’s Korora Road. At the museum, you will get the chance to see some extremely rare instruments. Keep an eye out for their live concerts as well; the museum is a real treat for classical music lovers.
You could easily spend a full day at Oneroa beach. Oneroa is great for swimming during all levels of the tide, making it a versatile beach that you may come back to again and again. The town of Oneroa is home to art galleries, wine bars, cafes, restaurants, and malls.There’s also Matiatia-Oneroa Ratepayers and Residents’ Hall where you can get active and engage in some fun Waiheke activities if you so desire. This includes everything from yoga right through to table tennis. You could even catch a theater show or concert there! Also, If you're artsy you might want to check out some of the sculptures in Alison Park.
Ostend, a place to both shop and boat
Anchored boats position themselves around Putiki Bay because it’s quite the spot for boaties. Take in the scenery here on a calm day and explore all the bargains on offer at the shops. You will also find clubs galore such as the Waiheke Sports Club and of course the Waiheke Boating Club.
If you're eager to meet the locals or get some trinkets, perhaps tick the Ostend Markets off your list. These markets happen every Saturday on Belgium Street. Here you can find an eclectic mix of everything from second-hand clothes, through to organic fruit and vegetables as well as a crystal or two. In Ostend you will also find Waiheke’s only supermarket, so pick up some necessities here if you're low.
Get rustic with Surfdale
In Surfdale you’ll find yourself in the thick of stunning views that overlook central Auckland and the coastline. The beach is perfect for water activities like fishing, boating, and of course swimming.
Surfdale is home to many cafes, takeaways and of course, there’s the local pub to get a drink and relax after a hard day's work of fishing. Here, you will also find both a primary and secondary school. Make sure you catch some theater at the community hall or perhaps go for a bowl at the local bowling club.
In Between the 300 year old pohutukawas, lives Kennedy Point Vineyard. What makes this particular vineyard unique is that it’s the only certified organic vineyard on the island. This vineyard offers accommodation as well as lovely olive oil.
Pay a visit to the very popular Palm Beach
Palm Beach gets its quirky name after the lonesome, singular palm tree from back in the day that stuck out like a sore thumb on one of the main roads. This area is home to a beach known for being one of the ‘must visits’ to most Waiheke holidaymakers. At the beach itself, you will find a children’s playground with a huge grassy area. Settle down for the day and nab yourself a cozy picnic spot, there are plenty of tables. If you’re feeling particularly artsy you could stop off at the Red Shed Art Gallery. Here, 17 local artists on rotation run a series of workshops and showcase their beautiful art.
Get historic with Blackpool
Back in the late 1800’s Blackpool was a busy Maori settlement, where kumara was grown mainly. It was home to a historic school that had its last lesson in the early 1900s. The school now is used for a wide variety of leisure activities, including things like yoga and galas. If you walk along the beach you will find an old-fashioned wrecked sailing dinghy that gives the beach a pirate feel. Also watch out for weather patterns here, mostly rain, as the bank can get quite drenched and flooded. But on a good day, it truly makes for a stunning gram or picture, where you can literally see a view that overlooks Auckland city.
Unearth a stunning sanctuary of bush and birds in Whakanewha
You will discover such beauty in Whakanewha’s natural climate. It’s basically an entire regional park in your footsteps! Located on the southern side of Waiheke, it boasts some amazing spots to spend the day exploring. Walking through the bush, you will find forests of old kanuka, kohekohe, and taraire trees. If you are into bird watching, keep your eyes peeled within the park for tuis, fantails, silver eye, and grey warblers. At the wetland, you might identify bittern, banded rail, spotless crake wildlife, and maybe even dotterel. Get your best bird whistle out and grab those binoculars.