Spend your days exploring vineyards, art galleries, and coastal walks, or unwind on one of the many beaches. Whether you're into wine tasting, swimming, dining, or simply taking in the sea views, there's something here for every pace.
Check-out our guide below for ideas on what to see and do whilst you are on Waiheke Island. If you need help planning your stay, our friendly team are on hand 7 days a week to assist.
Waiheke Island is a renowned wine region that produces critically acclaimed artisan wines and provides distinctive wine and cuisine experiences.
Waiheke Island has become known as New Zealand’s ‘Island of Wine’ – home to a dedicated group of award-winning winegrowers who have successfully matched the unique maritime climate and ancient soil structures to the selection of classical grape varieties in order to produce red and white wines with distinctive varietal character.
With a total planted area of just 216 hectares divided among 30 growers, wine production is small and top vintages are keenly awaited with labels such as Goldie, Destiny Bay, Stonyridge, Te Motu, Mudbrick and Passage Rock having an international following and most small producers having a loyal mail order clientele.
Waiheke is often referred to as the island of wine tourism, attracting over 900,000 visitors annually and supporting the local economy for the island’s approximately 10,000 permanent residents.
The island is predominantly known for its red wine production, with red varietals accounting for 57% of all wine produced. The most widely planted are Merlot (19%) and Syrah (18%). However, white varietals have grown in prominence in recent years, with Chardonnay (16%), Sauvignon Blanc (12%), and Pinot Gris (10%) now among the most common.
Waiheke wines have earned numerous awards, medals, and trophies over the years. Further details on recent successes can be found on our Vineyards page.
Waiheke Island showcases a wide range of exhibitions that highlight some of the best of New Zealand art, while also bringing the island’s own creative output to a wider audience.
The island is currently home to over 100 working artists, including painters, potters, and glassmakers—many of whom have been drawn to Waiheke by its dramatic natural beauty. There is also a strong community of Māori and Pasifika artists who work with traditional materials such as wood, stone, and pounamu (greenstone), as well as in flax weaving and carving.
Waiheke hosts regular art programmes and festivals throughout the year. The island’s flagship event is the Perpetual Guardian Sculpture on the Gulf, a biennial outdoor exhibition held along the coastal walkway near Matiatia. Featuring around 40 large-scale works, it is widely regarded as New Zealand’s leading contemporary sculpture event and draws thousands of visitors over its three-week summer season.
Nestled among world-renowned vineyards, olive groves, and stunning beaches, you’ll find the Waiheke Community Art Gallery – Te Whare Taonga o Waiheke. The gallery promotes visual arts to an international standard and serves as a central hub for arts-related activity on the island.
Its diverse programme of exhibitions attracts and inspires visitors from around the world. The onsite gallery shop showcases a carefully curated selection of high-quality New Zealand ceramics, glass, jewellery, and other art forms.
The gallery hosts two national award exhibitions: the Walker & Hall Waiheke Art Award for two-dimensional works, and the Small Sculpture Prize, both attracting entries from across the country.
Established in 1995, the Waiheke Community Art Gallery is an incorporated not-for-profit society and a registered charity. Donations are tax-deductible and support the gallery’s ongoing work in the local and national arts community.
The Waiheke Community Art Gallery publishes an easy-to-read Art Map that outlines who’s who, what’s where, and how to get there—making it the ideal starting point for any Waiheke art tour. The gallery hosts around 30 exhibitions each year across three dedicated spaces, showcasing work by both long-established Waiheke artists and those newly connected to the Hauraki Gulf.
Local artists regularly staff the gallery, so visitors are often welcomed by a practising artist who can speak directly about the current exhibitions and their own work.
Since 1997, Waiheke Island has been producing high-quality, award-winning olive oils. The oils are fresh, healthy, and entirely natural. The island’s grassy slopes, abundant sunshine, and gentle sea breezes provide ideal growing conditions for olive trees. With small-scale groves, growers are able to take great care in both cultivation and harvesting to ensure a consistently premium product.
In addition to its rich flavour, Waiheke olive oil contains high levels of natural antioxidants, sterols, and polyphenols—making it a nutritious addition to your daily diet.
Olive oil tastings are available at Allpress Olive Groves, the island’s only dedicated tasting venue, where visitors can sample a range of oils and learn about the grove’s production methods.
Due to the absence of streetlights and a community-wide effort to minimise light pollution, Waiheke Island has maintained a naturally dark night sky. In support of this, the Waiheke Local Board is currently developing a Lightscape Management Plan, with the goal of achieving official recognition as a Dark Sky Sanctuary. With continued backing from local and international organisations, Waiheke is making steady progress toward gaining this accreditation.
Fort Stony Batter, also known simply as Stony Batter is a heritage-listed WWII coastal defence fortress located on the northeastern tip of Waiheke Island, within a scenic 50-acre reserve managed by the Department of Conservation. Built between 1942 and 1943, it features three large 9.2-inch gun emplacements and an extensive network of over 1.2 kilometres of hand-carved tunnels, chambers, and stairwells.
Although fully constructed, the guns were never used in combat and were eventually dismantled in the 1960s. The underground infrastructure—including plotting rooms, engine rooms, and ammunition storage—remains structurally intact and offers a remarkable insight into wartime engineering.
Today, guided tours are available year-round, providing visitors with a detailed look at the site’s history, construction, and its strategic views over the Hauraki Gulf.
EcoZip Adventures offers a three-hour eco-adventure experience in the heart of Waiheke Island’s scenic landscape. The experience begins with a guided “Waiheke Highlights” tour, followed by three dual ziplines stretching over 200 metres each. Riders soar side-by-side above native forest and vineyard valleys, enjoying panoramic views of the Hauraki Gulf and Auckland skyline.
After the ziplines, guests take a guided nature walk through regenerating native bush, where they learn about local ecology and conservation efforts. EcoZip includes pick-up from the ferry terminal and optional drop-offs to vineyards or beaches, making it a fun and convenient way to explore the island.
Waiheke Musical Museum - A small museum located in the Artworks complex, showcasing a collection of antique musical instruments. Guided tours and occasional performances allow visitors to hear and sometimes play the instruments.
Artworks - Waiheke’s main cultural hub, home to a community theatre, cinema, gallery, and event spaces. It hosts exhibitions, performances, workshops, and local gatherings.
Waiheke Early Settlers Museum - A volunteer-run museum in Onetangi featuring restored historic buildings and exhibits on early Māori and European life on the island.
Waiheke Cinema - A cosy, not-for-profit cinema within the Artworks complex showing independent, international, and mainstream films in a relaxed lounge-style setting.
A day at the beach on Waiheke Island is easy-going and relaxing. Start with a swim at Oneroa, Little Oneroa, Palm Beach, or Onetangi—each offering safe swimming and easy access. Grab a coffee or breakfast from a nearby café before settling in with a towel and sunscreen. For a touch of luxury why not hire a cabana and some beach chairs from our great local supplier Waiheke Beach Rentals.
Spend the middle of the day swimming, reading, or going for a walk along the shore. Some beaches have free BBQs, playgrounds, or rock pools to explore, and paddleboards or kayaks are available to hire at a few locations.
In the afternoon, pick up fish and chips or something from a local takeaway and eat by the water, or visit one of the beachfront bars or restaurants. It’s a relaxed way to enjoy the island, whether you're with family, friends, or on your own.
Beyond the vineyards and beaches, Waiheke offers a wide range of activities to suit different interests. Scenic walking tracks cover the island, from short coastal paths to longer bush walks. Scooter and e-bike hire let you explore independently, while fishing charters are available from several bays. Wine tours remain a major draw, alongside fine dining and casual meals at vineyard restaurants. You can also join a tea blending workshop or take part in a cooking class. Horse trekking and guided nature walks and a 9-hole golf course are also available for those wanting to see more of the island’s landscape.
There is so much to see and do on Waiheke, let Waiheke Unlimited help plan your perfect adventure, from accommodation to restaurant suggestions, activity guides and honest, unbiased local advice, we are here to help.
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