Top Things to do in Waiheke Island
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What to do and see in Waiheke Island, North Island: The Best Free Things to do
Artists and free-spirits mingle with the rich and famous on this blissful island, a haven of beautiful beaches, gastronomical treasures and small wineries. Browse the dozens of art galleries and craft stores of the Waiheke Arts Trail between dips in the emerald waters. Soar above the landscape on a chartered scenic flight, then refuel your engine with a casual beachfront café meal or an upscale, multi-course affair. Waiheke boasts several boutique vineyards, perfect for sipping, sampling and savoring New Zealand’s fine wines.
Restaurants in Waiheke Island
1. Onetangi Forest and Bird Reserve
2. Rangihoua Estate
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 94 reviews
Located on beautiful Waiheke Island, Rangihoua Estate are olive growers and producers of premium, internationally-awarded Extra Virgin Olive Oil.We welcome visitors during opening hours to try our oils. The Tasting Room is open during the Summer Season (1 October - 31 May):Monday - Saturday: 11am - 3pmSundays & Public Holidays: 11am - 2pmWinter Season:Wednesday - Sunday: 11am - 2pmIf you would like to learn even more about the making of Extra Virgin Olive Oil and all its taste and health benefits, please call or email to book a friendly and informative tour. If you are looking for a gift or treat, in addition to our Extra Virgin Olive Oil, the Tasting Room stocks other complementary products including artisan foods, pottery, natural beauty products, books and candles. Rangihoua Estate also has lovely gardens surrounded by olive groves and native New Zealand Forest, forming a natural amphitheatre. Through-out the year we host public events including the Waiheke Olive and Artisan Food Festival each November and the Waiheke International Jazz Festival every April.
Reviewed By 840gabrielh - Bellaire, United States
Rangihoua Estate is located on the lower slope of a hill in Waiheke Island and focuses on growing various species of olive trees. It produces excellent olive oil, and the range of flavors is quite pronounced. Your host(ess) will give you a tour that explains the process of harvesting and pressing olives, as well as the various types of olives used in the process of making first class extra virgin olive oil. We were also shown a short video, which was quite informative. The estate also produces honey, including Manuka honey, a New Zealand specialty. While you are tasting olive oil, try the various salsas and other concoctions on offer. They are fabulous! The tasting room also has an eclectic collection of souvenirs, including a large, rustic, hand-carved chess set.
3. Obsidian Vineyard
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 199 reviews
Obsidian wines are the true embodiment of their place of origin. Every exquisite glass of Obsidian speaks of this unique terroir, encapsulating not only the character of the weathered soils at Onetangi, home to Obsidian's vineyard on Waiheke Island, but the coastal beauty of the surrounding environment. Tucked away in an amphitheater setting amongst the vines, Obsidian offers wine tastings in a relaxed and friendly environment. Our knowledgeable cellar door staff will take you through a range of Obsidian Reserve & Non-Reserve wines. All are available to purchase in the shop. We're currently just operating on Saturday's and Sunday's 11am to 5pm however please check Google, or our website for the most up to date information on our opening hours. Thank you.
Reviewed By shionac219 - Waiuku, New Zealand
This was the last stop on our winery tour, beautiful wine, brilliant service cannot ask for any more than that!
4. Man O' War Vineyards
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 478 reviews
Reviewed By milliesmum2016 - Christchurch, New Zealand
This lovely winery at the beach on Man O' War Bay is rather out of the way, accessed by a long gravel road - very dusty. However, the trek is worth it because the setting is lovely and the wine, honey and olive oil they have to offer is GORGEOUS! There is a cafe - we didn't eat but ran into some people we kew so were chatting with them while they ate. I think I coud say that I wouldn't choose this for my lunch place on the island but the total experience is certainly very worth the drive. It's a good thing to combine with an expedition to Stoney Batter as it's on the same out of the way end of the island. Lovely.
5. Peacock Sky Vineyard
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 159 reviews
Our cellar door and restaurant have now closed to the public. Visit our online shop to order your favorite wines!
Reviewed By I7500WYjm - Cincinnati, United States
We toured a few wineries on Waiheke Island and Peacock Sky was our favorite. The wines were excellent, in fact I ordered some to be shipped home. I finished them so quickly that I ordered more online! Connie had prepared some small bites to accompany the wines, a nice added touch to the experience. I would love to head back someday when things get back to normal.
6. Waiheke Wine Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 11 reviews
Reviewed By DownhillDan - Auckland, New Zealand
We stopped in at the Wine Centre to try and get some bottles of wine we had sampled at lunch and also to taste some wines from a vineyard where we had run out of time. The range of Waiheke wines was very extensive and the wine tasting machine was innovative and fun. Despite being busy with a number of requests and customers, the store manager was relaxed and friendly. He gave us a quick run down on the machine, offered us water to have between tastings, and even offered to open the deck at the back of the shop so we could look out over Oneroa Beach while tasting. Mission accomplished - we stocked up on our lunchtime wine and also came away with a couple of extras The Wine Centre and its tasting machine is a really good wine tasting back-up for those times vineyards are closed(most often midweek) or if you want to taste wines from different vineyards in one session. I also noticed a very good range of craft beers lurking in the fridge!
7. Oneroa Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 46 reviews
Reviewed By 241alang - Auckland Central, New Zealand
Spectacular beach - safe and sandy beach. A short walk from Oneroa Cafes and restaurants. Just a short bus ride from the Waiheke ferry terminal. There are often lots of pleasure craft in the bay.
8. Waiheke Community Art Gallery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 18 reviews
Thirty five minutes into the morning sun from downtown Auckland lies beautiful Waiheke Island - home to a lively community of painters, sculptors, jewellers, photographers and ceramicists. Nestled between world-famous vineyards, olive groves and stunning beaches you will find the Waiheke Community Art Gallery ~Te Whare Taonga o Waiheke - promoting visual arts to an international standard and providing a focal point for arts-related activities. Our diverse range of exhibitions is updated monthly and designed to inspire and delight, bringing the best of New Zealand art to the island and offering the best of Waiheke's art to the world. The gallery is supported by our wonderful shop featuring high quality New Zealand ceramics, glass, jewellery and art forms - something for all! Our two national annual award exhibitions (Walker and Hall award for 2-dimensional art held in October) and Perpetual Guardian Prize for Small Sculpture (held in May) attract entries from all over New Zealand.
Reviewed By KKiwis
Visited the Arts Centre again on recent trip to Waiheke. Tucked up around the corner from the Library in Oneroa, a definite must visit!!! The centre always has a great range of exhibitions and a diverse retail shop area representing a wide selection of NZ Art Great art to buy and also some great gifts available too, at a variety of price points .. Something for everyone. Congratulations to all involved
9. Perpetual Guardian Sculpture on the Gulf
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 72 reviews
Perpetual Guardian Sculpture on the Gulf is arguably the most influential of all New Zealand’s ‘galleries without walls’, and has gone on to inspire similar exhibitions around the world. Set amongst some of the most magnificent coastal landscape in the world, the undulating walkway, which snakes its way around the headland from above Matiatia towards Church Bay on Waiheke Island, has served as a temporary home for pieces created by a who’s who of New Zealand art, including Virginia King, David McCracken, Brett Graham, Phil Price, Gregor Kregar, Sriwhana Spong, Jeff Thomson, Chris Bailey, Anton Forde, Kazu Nakagawa, Denis O’Connor and Chris Booth. Sculpture on the Gulf is only a 35 minute journey by ferry from downtown Auckland. The next event will be held in 2022, and exciting plans are underway for an exhibition like no other. Our Matiatia headland is tūrangawaewae – a place for all artists to stand tall.
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