At a Glance
Experience Waiheke Island’s best walks in boutique luxury at your own pace, with this 4-day, self-guided package showcasing the island’s scenic coastal trails, bush hikes and vineyards.
Located 40-minutes by ferry from Auckland, Waiheke Island is bigger than you think! It’s the second largest island in the Hauraki Gulf – over 200-kilometres (124mi) long and teeming with pristine beaches, coastal headlands, seaside villages, olive groves and vineyards. This best way to experience this stunning natural beauty is by walking. The island is home to more than 100-kilometres (62mi) of trails just waiting to be discovered.
This self-guided 4-day hiking experience takes in the best Waiheke Island has to offer. Each morning, you will be transported to the start point for the day and you will be picked up at the end and ...
Trip Highlights
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What's Included
- 3 nights’ boutique luxury accommodation at The Boatshed in a “Boatshed Suite” twin share. Room upgrade is available at an additional cost
- Meals: 3 x full a la carte or room service breakfast, 4 x packed lunch & 3 x 4-course degustation dinner
- Pre-dinner drinks, non-alcoholic mini bar
- Arrival beverage and daily guest delighters
- Complimentary WIFI at the hotel
- Personalised itinerary, maps and other information
- Ferry from/to Auckland
- Transfers from/to Waiheke Island accommodation
Itinerary
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Walking information: 8-10km/5-6.2mi | 4-5 hrs | Elevation Gain: 246m Departing from Auckland, set sail to Waiheke Island, home to pristine beaches, stunning coastal headlands, vineyards, olive groves and seaside villages. The ferry journey takes approximately 40-minutes. Today, you’ll experience the twin headlands of Matiatia and Church Bay as well as the bush, beach, and vineyards. Set off around the Matiatia Headland and past Owhanake Bay, enjoying beautiful views of the Hauraki Gulf Islands, Great Barrier Island and Coromandel Peninsula. You’ll spot seabirds, native plants and, if you’re lucky, dolphins and orcas. In Oneroa, the “capital” of Waiheke, enjoy a picnic lunch on the beach and take time to explore the local arts and crafts stores, souvenir shops, cafes and restaurants. Then, continue around the Church Bay headland, exploring the Atawhai Whenua Forest and Pio Rehutai Reserve. Your walk culminates with a visit to the Cable Bay and Mudbrick Vineyards to sample their award-winning wines or enjoy a coffee and a bite to eat. Cable Bay boasts vineyards, olive groves, organic gardens and 2 restaurants, while Mudbrick is considered one of the “most romantic places on earth”, with spectacular views over the gulf back to Auckland City. You’ll stay the next 3-nights at The Boatshed. Set just above the sun-drenched bay and white sandy beaches of Oneroa, this boutique luxury hotel offers designer suites, each totally private, with panoramic ocean views. Enjoy pre-dinner drinks on the deck as the sun sets ahead of a decadent 4-course degustation dinner. Note: we can also arrange stay at Delamore Lodge. |
The Boatshed, Waiheke Island
Lunch, Dinner |
Walking information: 18.9km/11.7mi | 4.5-5.5hrs | Elevation: 619m Today, you’ll walk from Matiatia Headland to Onetangi , taking in some of the most spectacular scenery on the island. Ergo, this is a chance to see Waiheke Island at its most pristine. Start the first section from Matiatia Headland to Oneroa. You will have have spectacular views of the coast and the island sanctuaries of Motuihe, Rakino, and Tiritiri Matangi. The trail passes through a regenerating forest and small wetland before coming to a beautiful little bay. If you feel like it and the tide is in, it is a great place for a swim or a little rest stop. The track then climbs out of this bay to the top where you pass by olive groves and vineyards. There is a great lookout point to your left before you head into the vineyard. Walk out the lookout point where you have a great view of the northern coastline of Waiheke as well the Coromandel Peninsula and Aotea, Great Barrier Island. Next section is Oneroa – Palm Beach - Onetangi. Explore the Oneroa Village and its cafes, galleries and boutique shops. At the bottom of the track, Hekerua Bay is a lovely little local’s beach hidden from the view of tourists. Other hidden coves on today's walk are Sandy Bay and Enclosure Bay, very popular swimming beach for locals. Follow the track to Palm Beach and Little Palm Beach. Palm Beach (Mawhitipana) is a lovely swimming beach and Little Palm Beach is a very popular nude swimming beach for locals and is actually one of the nicest places to swim on the island, as it is very sheltered and warm even in winter. After pasting the Waiwata Estate's sculptures and taking in some fabulous views across the northern Gulf, you will reach Onetangi Beach - the longest beach on the island, where you can celebrate with a coffee or a drink on the beach until transfer back to The Boatshed. Enjoy pre-dinner drinks on the deck as the sun sets ahead of a decadent 4-course degustation dinner. |
The Boatshed, Waiheke IslandBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
Walking information: 7km/4.3mi – Trig Hill to Rocky Bay section, 13.5km/8.4mi Rocky Bay to Te Toki Reserve| 5 - 6.5hrs | Elevation Gain: 200m, Trig Hill – Rocky Bay, 509m, Rocky Bay to Te Toki Reserve Section Today’s walk is stunning coastal forest walking, taking in views of Rangihoua – the main Maori fortified pa (village) site for Waiheke Island, and enjoying the spectacular views from Putiki-O-Kahu, Trig Hill. Todays walk starts in historic Rocky Bay and walks around the Te Whau Peninsula before heading to Whakanewha Regional Park and up through the park to Putiki O Kahu (Trig Hill) to Onetangi beach. This trail winds around the Pohutukawa lined coast past a number of bays and has wonderful sea views. You head along the trail (Tawa Track) above Rocky Bay, with some climbing first, till you reach the top of the ridge line – you then head down the Cathedral Track through some stunning coastal forest of Nikau, Kohekohe and other species to enter the Whakanewha Regional Park. Whakanewha Regional Park, is one of Auckland’s Regional Parks and the only one on Waiheke. Walk past the Batch winery near the end. Again if you feel you have time and It’s open you can leave the trail here and do a wine tasting. If continue the walk, you will arrive at the lookout point at Trig Hill or Pūtiki O Kahu (the Top Knot of Kahu). This refers to the Ngati Awa ancestor, Kahumatamomoe (Kahu), renowned ancestor of the Te Arawa tribe who came here in the 1400’s and who named the island 'Motu nui nō Kahu' and established the first fortified pā, Te Pūtiki o Kahumatamomoe, on the maunga (mountain), now known as Rangihoua that you are looking across at here. Arrive at Onetangi beach. Onetangi means Weeping Sands and refers to a battle that was fought here in 1821. George Kahi, a Ngati Paoa kaumatua I worked with, referred to it as a parking lot as the visiting waka from all over the place would be drawn up on this beach. Time for a coffee or a beer or wine before pick up. Trail transfer back to the Boatshed. Enjoy pre-dinner drinks on the deck as the sun sets ahead of a decadent 4-course degustation dinner. |
The Boatshed, Waiheke IslandBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
Walking information: 13.6km/8.5mi | 5hrs | Elevation Gain: 381m - Orapiu to Awaawaroa section, 250m Awaawaroa – Trig Hill Today, you’ll walk from Orapiu to the Awaawaroa Valley, taking in remote, bush-draped bays and views of Rangihoua and Putiki Bay. Be aware this is the hardest day of the walk with 3 sections of very steep gradient. The first leg of the journey takes you along a nice seaside gravel road and track. Keep going along the bay and pick up the small track that leads you further along the coast, past Otakawhe Lodge. From here, go up and over to lovely Pearl Bay, that sits in Te Matuku Marine Reserve. The reserve is a great place to place to spot blue herons and other seabirds. Around lunch time, it is well and truly wine time. You’ll visit two wineries: Passage Rock and Poderi Crisci. Passage Rock is Waiheke Island’s most awarded winery – their Reserve Syrah has won more than 18 gold medals and 6 trophies alone! Poderi Crisci, meanwhile, is a family-owned vineyard and restaurant with Italian flair and a passion for traditional wine making. Their most popular varietals are Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio. The last stop of the day is Awaawaroa, with its pristine waterways and vineyards. The Awaawaroa Ecovillage is home to people who value ecologically sustainable lifestyles and community spirit. The local people follow organic practices and work to restore the natural habitat, while aiming to also reduce their carbon footprint and effect on the environment. Your journey concludes on the ferry back to Auckland. NOTE: This itinerary is provided as an example only – prevailing conditions and local arrangements may cause variation. |
NoneBreakfast, LunchAccommodation
Dates & Prices
Daily departure on request. Please contact us for group bookings. Single Supplement is available. Surcharge applies to Christmas and New Year holiday Season.
The price is based on a Boadshed Suite. Room upgrade to Bridge Suite/Lighthouse suite/Bungalow Suite/Water Tower/Owner's Cottage is available at additional cost.
More Info
The start and finish point for this tour is Auckland, New Zealand.
Waiheke Island, like Auckland, experiences subtropical climate with warm, humid summers and mild winters. Average max temperature in summer is 29°C, while average minimum temperature is 9°C. Rainfall is typically plentiful, though dry spells may occur in the summer months between December and March.
Onlyluxe Travel acts as travel agency and work with different tour operators.
Payment Detail
All pricing is in Australian dollars and are quoted on a per person twin share basis. A supplementary price is available (see below). Bookings are not confirmed until full payment and the signed Booking Form has been received by Onlyluxe Travel.
A non-refundable 30% deposit is payable within 7 days of your booking, with the final balance due 60 days prior to departure. If a booking is made 60 days or less before departure, the full payment is payable immediately. Last minute bookings are payable before arrival. Failure to pay on time may result in automatic cancellation of a booking with cancellation penalties payable to Onlyluxe Travel. If you pay by credit card or PayPal a surcharge will be added to the total price.
Single Supplement
All accommodation is twin share. Single guests will share with someone of the same gender. If a single room is demanded, a supplementary price of will apply. The supplementary price refers to our quotation and needs to be stipulated at the time of booking.
General Cancellation Policies
- Outside of 60 days monies will be refunded less 30% of full fee
- Within 60 days prior to arrival all monies will be forfeited
- No refunds will be given in the event of non-arrival, any unused services or unused nights due to flight or weather disruption
- We strongly recommend guests protect themselves with travel insurance and medical insurance
Please Note: Cancellations must be advised in email and will take effect from the date they are received.
Liability
The participant agrees to indemnify Onlyluxe Travel, and its servant, tour operator and agents, in relation to any liability, loss and damage which the tour operator, or its servants and/or agents may incur as a result of the participants, negligence or misconduct during the tour.
Smoking is not permitted on the bus, or in tents or in other accommodation being used by tour operator at the time that a trip is being conducted.
Child Policy
Please consult travel consultant on age limit.
Changes to Itineraries
Local conditions may necessitate changes to sightseeing, walking and driving routes, camping and accommodation locations. While every effort will be made to provide the services and experiences as offered in our brochure, on our website, and in our trip letters, we reserve the right to vary your itinerary. In the event that we are forced to change your arrangements, substitute arrangements of a similar standard will be provided. The tour operator will not be liable where interruptions to itineraries are caused by weather conditions, technical problems to transport used by the tour operator, industrial action, political or civil commotion or other circumstances beyond our control. We refer you to the conditions regarding travel insurance.
Changes in Prices
While we will do its utmost to honour its pricing unforeseen circumstances may mean that prices may be subject to change without notice.
Pre-Existing Medical Conditions and Age Limits
You need to advise Onlyluxe travel and the tour operator on any pre-existing medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability that might reasonably be expected to increase the risk of your requiring medical attention, or that might affect the normal conduct of a trip and the enjoyment of other trip members. Onlyluxe Travel and the tour operator may require an assessment of your medical condition from a qualified medical practitioner. If you fail to adequately notify the tour operator of any pre-existing medical conditions and/or disability, the tour operator reserves the right, at its reasonable discretion, to cancel your participation in a trip at any time, including after the commencement of your trip, with no right of refund if your medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability could be reasonably expected to affect the normal conduct of the trip and the enjoyment of other trip members.
Cancellation by The Tour Operator
The walks take place in very special wilderness settings. The tour operator is at the mercy of nature in all her beauty and all her fury. The tour operator will under no circumstance knowingly place at risk the health and well-being of our guests and guides. In the case of natural threats, acts of God and the like (e.g. bushfires, impassable snow, etc) the tour operator may need to cancel a walk with very little notice. In some cases, this can occur after the walk has commenced. The tour operator reserves the right to cancel any walk up to 60 days prior to departure if a minimum of 4 walkers are unable to meet for a tour. If the tour operator needs to cancel for any reason, the cost of the walk or any other costs associated with travel to the designated pick up point, overnight accommodation, meals, etc will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore we strongly recommend travel insurance be taken out prior to travel.
Force Majeure
'Force Majeure' means (without restriction) any event which Onlyluxe Travel or its third party providers could not, even with due care, foresee or avoid. Force Majeure covers events such as, but not limited to, adverse weather conditions, fire and all similar events beyond our control. In the case of Force Majeure Onlyluxe Travel will not accept liability, and reserves the right to change and cancel trips.
Evacuations
In rare circumstances, due to injury or unforeseen illness, the tour operator may need to evacuate you from a remote part of the walk. Helicopter evacuations are expensive and in most cases will be at a cost to the customer.
For Australian residents, under the Australian Government Medicare Act, it is prohibited for any domestic travel insurance product to provide any financial reimbursement with regard to ambulance or air ambulance services. We therefore strongly advise our customers to take specific ambulance cover through their health insurance provider. Evacuation cost will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore it is also strongly recommended that our customers take out travel insurance to cover (amongst other things) the costs associated with evacuation.
Travel Insurance
In view of the heavy cancellation penalties applied to cancelled reservations in certain circumstances, we strongly recommends suitable travel insurance be purchased at the time the holding deposit is paid. We recommend insurance cover that covers any loss which may be suffered due to cancellation. We also strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance against loss of baggage and medical expenses.
