Introducing Waiheke Island
Waiheke is 93 sq km of island bliss only a 35-minute ferry ride from the CBD. Once they could hardly give land away here; nowadays multimillionaires rub shoulders with the old-time hippies and bohemian artists who gave the island its green repute. Auckland office workers fantasise about swapping the daily motorway crawl for a watery commute and a warm, dry microclimate.
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On Waiheke’s city side, emerald waters lap at rocky bays, while its ocean flank has some of the region’s best sandy beaches. While beaches are the big drawcard, wine is a close second. There are 26 boutique wineries to visit, many with swanky restaurants and breathtaking city views. On top of that, the Waiheke Arts Trail encompasses 26 galleries and craft stores.
Waiheke has been inhabited since at least the 14th century, most recently by Ngati Paoa, and there are more than 40 pa sites scattered around the island. Europeans arrived with the missionary Samuel Marsden in the early 1800s and the island was soon stripped of its kauri forest.
Last updated: Feb 17, 2009
Thorn Tree forum discussion
Recent posts
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RE: Auckland in 3 days
by LisaMNZ 06 September 2011
+Don't+ check out the new wynyard quarter. Unless it's made a huge amount of progress in the last two weeks since I was there, it is…
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RE: Auckland in 3 days
by toddb78 06 September 2011
Hi, Auckland is a cool city to spend three days in. Ponsonby has great food and coffee shops. It is at the bridge end of the city, jus…
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Re: Auckland in 3 days
by silverfern 05 September 2011
- Check out the new 'Wynyard Quarter'. - Auckland Museum in the Domain - fantastic views out over the harbour/Rangitoto. - Cafes in…
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Our favourite Waiheke Island Blogs (beta)
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Wine and Dine at Cable Bay Vineyards Waiheke Island
Blog: PassportChop.com Travel Blog - Reviews, Travel Experiences - 26 April 2011
Cable Bay Vineyards’ award winning Restaurant and Wine Bar on Waiheke Island have an enviable reputation for great food and wine with an unrelenting focus on quality.
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Kick Back on Waiheke Island
Blog: Brilliant Tips Travel Blog - 25 March 2010
Just a short 35 minute trip by fast ferry from downtown Auckland, New Zealand’s Waiheke Island is just the spot to get away from, …well, Auckland.
