Top Waiheke Island How to Get Around - page 3

Take a small-group guided walk on Waiheke Island so you don’t get lost exploring the beaches and forests on your own. Your guide will point out native wildlife and birds, and tell you all about the island’s unique plant life. This is an ideal day out for active travelers who enjoy being outdoors, plus you can go swimming or relax afterwards, as the tour ends near a beach.

Explore Waiheke Island on foot and gain insight into the region’s rich Maori heritage on a walking tour. Hike along winding trails and enjoy sweeping views over the beaches and Hauraki Gulf from the soaring coastal headlands. Along the way, listen as your Maori guide sheds light on the region’s deep roots and shares stories about the island’s past. Stop at a local vineyard and learn of the diverse grape varietals thriving in the fertile soils, then finish with a wine tasting.

Explore the North Head Historic Reserve (Maungauika) via Segway on this comprehensive guided tour. Once a defense site, you’ll see military fortifications, bunkers, tunnels, and more, and get the chance to dismount and explore them a little. Listen as your guide points out places of historic significance and shares anecdotes about the area. Finish up with a ride past beaches and through parks, back into the heart of Devonport.

This tour takes in all that Waiheke has to offer while also getting you off the beaten tourist trail. To truly understand our land is to understand it through the eyes of us, the indigenous people. You will be greeted by your local guide at the wharf upon your arrival. First is an orientation around Waiheke taking in stunning sea views of the Hauraki Gulf, Auckland City and the Pacific Ocean. You will visit pristine white sand beaches and hear the history and stories of the places you visit and see. You will visit the focal point of the Māori community on Waiheke, learn about the significance and importance of carving and traditional tattooing, the revitalization of Māori language and the impact of colonization on Māori people.

Delight in a dark sky experience on Waiheke Island. Join us for a night walk and a special stargazing experience on Waiheke Island – far enough away from the city to have a stunning night sky. We offer customised tours with telescopes, binoculars and the naked eye with our specialist guides. Learn all about the Southern skies and discover planets, constellations, distant stars and galaxies.

Discover the incredible hidden paradise of Waiheke Island with this wine tour. Board the ferry from Auckland City to arrive at the local Matiatia wharf to launch your adventure. Explore hidden beaches, and the town centre's art, before heading to local vineyards. Taste the wine of multiple vineyards, including Mudbrick, and sample olive oils on the Rangihoua Estate. After indulging in a delicious lunch, board the convenient return ferry.

IImmerse yourself in the living traditions, stories and landscapes of Māori culture on Waiheke Island. Travel with our Māori ambassador, Paoroa, who shares his whakapapa (genealogy), personal stories and deep connection to the island. Visit significant sites and a local village, hear powerful tales of land wars, resilience and present-day Māori life, and see how ancient customs sit alongside modern New Zealand. Along the way, you’ll step inside a contemporary art studio to see how local artists respond to the land and culture through their work. Between stories and art, you’ll enjoy a relaxed day of kai (food), wine and waiata (song). Taste boutique Waiheke wines, sample local produce, and sit down to a seafront lunch with beautiful island views. This small-group experience is welcoming, conversational and respectful, giving you space to ask questions, connect with the people behind the culture and leave with a richer understanding of Aotearoa New Zealand.

Delight in the birdsong on magical Waiheke Island, one of NZ’s best birding destinations. Waiheke is increasingly a bird lover’s paradise thanks to our extensive reforestation and government-funded predator-free Waiheke project, Te Korowai O Waiheke. Join us to discover seabirds, shorebirds as well as birds of the forest in our regional park. Spot all the major species that make their home here whilst learning about our conservation efforts, their habitat and what makes these species special.