At a Glance
Uncover the natural beauty and fabulous food and wine of Waiheke Island at your own pace, with this 5-day, self-guided walking tour of the Te Ara Hura Track.
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. The 100-kilometre (62mi) Te Ara Hura Walk is the ultimate Waiheke experience, taking you right around the island from the bustling west to the remote east, stopping at the best wineries and local producers along the way.
Over 5 thrilling days, traverse the Te Ara Hura with an experienced and knowledgeable local guide, in 15-25-kilometre segments. Each morning, you will be transported to the ...
Trip Highlights
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What's Included
- Personalised itinerary, maps and other information
- Transfers from/to accommodation
- Ferry from/to Auckland
- 4 nights’ accommodation in an apartment on Onetangi Beach twin share
- 4 x packed lunches including fresh brewed coffee or tea
- All food including breakfast and dinner each da
Itinerary
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Walking Information: Matiatia to Onetangi: 18.9km/11.7mi | 4.5-6hrs | Medium (the walk is up and down hills throughout the day) Departing from Auckland, set sail to Waiheke Island, home to pristine beaches, stunning coastal headlands, vineyards, olive groves and seaside villages. The ferry journey will take you approximately 40-minutes. Today, you’ll walk from Matiatia to Onetangi Beach. From the ferry terminal, head east through the regenerating forests of the Matiatia Headland, taking in spectacular coastal views of the surrounding islands and islets all the way to the Coromandel Peninsula. Depending on your walking pace, you’ll stop for lunch in Oneroa, Hekerua, Sandy or Palm Beach. In Oneroa, take time to explore the arts and crafts shops, souvenir shops, cafes and restaurants before continuing onto the bays and hidden coves. Don’t forget to grab an ice cream at the Palm Beach store! Upon arrival at Onetangi Beach, there will be time for a swim in some of the Auckland region’s cleanest waters. Alternatively, you can take it easy on the pristine, white sand or beachcomb for tuatua, pipi and cockles at the estuary mouth. You’ll stay the next 4-nights in an apartment on Onetangi Beach. |
Onetangi Beach Apartment
Lunch, Dinner |
Walking Information: Onetangi to Orapiu: 25.2km/15.7mi | 5-6.5hrs | Medium (the walk is largely on road and is gentler than the previous day) Today, you’ll walk from Onetangi to Orapiu, taking in some of the most spectacular scenery on the island. There are no public buses and most tour companies do not run standard tours to this side of the of the island due to the distance and terrain. Ergo, this is a chance to see Waiheke Island at its most pristine. Enjoy lunch overlooking a pristine bay before stepping back in time at Fort Stoney Batter. Located at the eastern end of Waiheke Island, this World War II coastal defence fortress was chosen for its strategic advantage overlooking the Hauraki Gulf and shipping approach to Auckland city. Commissioned in 1942 under absolute secrecy, the complex comprises 1.2-kilometres (0.7mi) of subterranean passages, chambers and stairwells all tunneled by hand. Next, pay a visit to Man O’ War, a 4,500-acre family farm with over 75 vineyards. Sample the winery’s famous Syrah and Chardonnay and Waiheke Island’s signature Bordeaux Blends. You may also explore the orchards, olive groves, restored native forests and beehives, and cool off with a swim in the eponymous bay. Continue on to Cowes Bay, where you will find Waiheke Island’s newest gin distillery and garden bar. Make sure to try the signature “Spirit of Waiheke”, a classic dry gin that pays homage to the island, infusing both dried New Zealand giant kelp and cardamom. The last stop of the day is historical Orapiu, the largest – and most remote – settlement on the eastern part of the island. The wharf is a popular fishing spot and a great place to take in the unusual views across the Poinui and the Tamaki Strait. |
Onetangi Beach ApartmentBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
Walking Information: Orapiu to Awaawaroa: 13.6km/8.5mi | 5hrs | Challenging (this is the hardest day of the walk with 3 sections of very steep gradient) 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 2 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. |
Onetangi Beach ApartmentBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner  |
Walking Information: Trig Hill – Te Toki Reserve: 20.5km/12.8mi | 5-6.5hrs | Medium (the walk is up and down hills and a mix of track and road) Today, you’ll walk from Trig Hill to the Te Toki Reserve via the Whakanewha Regional Park. With its name meaning “to shade eyes from the setting sun”, Whakanewha is known for its mature coastal forest with taraire, kohekohe and old kanuka trees, cascading streams, and crescent-shaped beaches with forested headlands. It also has a large wetland, home to some uncommon birds, bittern, banded rail, spotless crake and the New Zealand dotterel. After a picnic lunch by the sea, continue on to Omiha (Rocky Bay) and Rangihoua Estate, an award-winning olive oil business. At Rangihoua, all the olives are handpicked at the optimum level of ripeness, using small hand rakes to comb the olives from the tree. Within 24 hours of picking, the olives are processed and pressed into olive oil using a mill especially imported from Italy. While in the area, travel back in time at the Rangihoua Pā and kainga (village site) and explore the nearby houseboat communities. You will also traverse the Te Toki Reserve, a large open grassland with sea views. On summer days, it is a great kite flying spot and very popular with dog walkers. |
Onetangi Beach ApartmentBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
Walking Information: 11.8km/7.3mi | 3.5-4hrs | Easy (this walk is a mix of road and track walking) Today, you’ll walk from Te Toki to Matiatia, completing your circumnavigation of Waiheke Island. Follow the beach along the west side of the island, passing the quaint villages of Ostend and Surfdale. Visit the Piritahi Marae, the only marae (Maori meeting place) in the Hauraki Gulf and keep your eyes peeled for endangered dotterel nesting grounds and godwit feeding grounds. Call into the Cable Bay and Mudbrick Vineyards to taste their famous wines. 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 Hauraki Gulf back to Auckland city. From here, traverse the Church Bay headland, past gracious homes and mansions and through the forest and bird reserve, to Matiatia. On the way, stop for a swim at secluded Te Rere Cove. A perfect end to the perfect walk! 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. |
Onetangi Beach ApartmentBreakfast, Lunch, DinnerDates & Prices
Daily departure on request. Please contact us for group bookings. Single Supplement is available. Surcharge applies to Christmas and New Year holiday Season.
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.
