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Step one, actively plan your trip to New Zealand! It would be a shame to while away your existence in one corner of the planet knowing that in another remote corner, resting in the South Pacific Ocean, lies a living, breathing heaven on Earth. You will most likely fly into Auckland, New Zealand’s largest and busiest airport. Step two, instead of expending your first few days in an over stimulating metropolis, the antitheses to a jet-lag cure, aboard a ferry from Auckland that transports you to the heavenly Waiheke. A 40-minute ride from the city, the Island is one of the most populated regions in the Hauraki Gulf. Waiheke takes its food, wine and art incredibly seriously, and will craft for you, an exemplary, customized jet-lag cure.
Spontaneous souls can plunge into a cornucopia of coves and ocean waters.
Motu-Wai-Heke in Māori, or the Island of Trickling Water in English, the Island is aptly named. Here, depart from one bay, only to find another cowering behind the edge of a hill.
All you water babies, Waiheke is THE place for you. A bird’s view of the island from a helicopter tour presents Waiheke as less land and more water. Rather artistically, land segments emerge from their bluer counterparts, thick finger-like projections swelling into established civilization. The established civilization, much like the landscape, boasts exceptional works of art from all over the world. An appreciation for artistry in Waiheke extends to the culinary world as countless wineries and sensational restaurants pervade the Island.
Waiheke appeals equally to adventure seekers. Owing to a pleasant, subtropical climate year-round, a plethora of activities including kayaking, jet-skiing, diving, snorkeling, biking, hiking, paddle boarding, and windsurfing are possible.
Also, a foodie’s paradise, one can endlessly wine and dine to the heart’s content!
Sculpture parks, museums, and art galleries embellish the Island, creating a haven for art enthusiasts while supporting artists from all over the world.
Catering to every kind of traveler, Waiheke welcomes all for a good time irrespective of age, interest or status! Truly, Waiheke is a microcosm of New Zealand’s essence. A care for produce, reverence for the environment, advocacy for creative innovation, and warm, earnest hospitality like no other, Waiheke represents an epitome of the sublime kiwi culture.
To conjure up a visual of Waiheke - one that most certainly impels you to make flight reservations – imagine yourself sipping an unbelievably crisp glass of wine, enticing your taste buds as you bite into the most succulent serving of seafood. Simultaneously, your feet surrender into layers of warm sand, and your hair succumbs to the forces of beachy breezes, growing wild and free!
The Sun and the Sand - Oneroa Beach, Onetangi Beach, and Palm Beach are all highly frequented. Oneroa and Onetangi lie in the central part of the Island, while the golden-sanded Palm rests amidst a cove between the two. All of these serve as ideal swimming, snorkeling, tanning, and wine-ing spots! Although do not forget to layer up on sunscreen as New Zealand’s sun rays are notoriously unsafe.
Art and more - The Connell’s Sculpture Park exhibits a mesmerizing marriage of sculpture and nature from over thirty eminent New Zealand artists! Situated in Oneroa, the Whittaker’s Musical Museum is a musician’s utopia, displaying an unimaginable array of musical instruments with shows and concerts on special occasions.
A bohemian, artsy hub turned luxurious holiday home destination, Waiheke retains elements of both its laid-back creative textures as well as its opulent lifestyle. Serving as past and current home to many artists, Waiheke’s Oneroa Village houses the Waiheke Community Art Gallery, [Space] Contemporary Art Gallery, and several other boutique studios for enthusiasts. The Art Crawl is a renowned experience, taking visitors on a prescribed journey of the Island’s prominent art destinations.
More Wine Please - When I say Waiheke, you say wine! Producing some of the best wines in the world, Waiheke attracts global visitors for this very reason (There’s a probable chance Waiheke exploits its sensational vino to hold steadfast it’s global reputation)!
While Cable Bay Vineyard is eminent for its dazzling views, the Mudbrick Vineyard boasts pristine gardens and delectable seafood. Man O’War Vineyard is the only beachfront source of quality wine - the ultimate relaxation; whereas, Wild on Waiheke Vineyard offers the energetic and wild the opportunity to practice archery and clay shooting while fueling up on exquisite grape juice. Stone Ridge Vineyard bears a rustic, minimal atmosphere and has been rated among the top ten wineries in the world! Or, the Kennedy Point Vineyard, the Island’s only organic winery! Although Waiheke is brimming in wineries – approximately thirty! – these are among the popular few.
Adrenaline Rush Activities - In addition to the alcohol, a sense of adventure magnetizes national and international travelers to Waiheke. Here, the options are abundant: 
or “trust the chef” menu, Poderi Crisci consistently delivers delicious surprises. Close your eyes and its authentic Italian flavours featuring fresh, local produce – including the owner’s very own kitchen garden – will teleport you to Italy in an instant.
A speck of land encompassing immense richness, Waiheke is the second-largest island in the Hauraki Gulf of New Zealand. Densely populated, plausibly, it accommodates about 10,000 kiwis. A 40-minute ferry ride separates the metropolis of Auckland from the Waiheke Island – the most accessible of all the Islands in the Gulf.
International travelers must fly into Auckland International Airport to make their way to Waiheke. New Zealand’s largest and busiest airport, Auckland is extremely well connected to all major cities worldwide. Two ferry companies, Fullers and Sealink, offer 40 minute long rides to Waiheke Island from Downtown Auckland. The important distinction between the is that Sealink operates car ferries, while the Fullers Ferries are pedestrian ferries – comparatively more frequent than Sealink.
And if you fancy a rather grand commute, helicopters transport passengers directly to Waiheke Island from Auckland International Airport, offering jaw-dropping views en route!
