oceania - Five Wandering Soles

Waiheke Island, just a 35-minute ferry ride from Auckland, is a lush paradise that feels a world away from city life. Known for its stunning beaches, rolling vineyards, and laid-back lifestyle, this island in the Hauraki Gulf is a little slice of heaven. Waiheke offers a perfect blend of natural beauty and cultural experiences, with its pristine shorelines, olive groves, and award-winning wineries. Whether you’re looking to unwind on golden sands, sample fine wines, or explore the island’s scenic hiking trails, there’s something for everyone… your perfect day on Waiheke Island awaits!

For a slower-paced day-trip adventure, Waiheke Island boasts plenty of diverse activities here, along the crystal-clear, picturesque coastline. As New Zealand’s island of wine, Waiheke is also a culinary gem, offering an impressive array of dining options, from casual beachfront cafes to high-end restaurants with ocean views. With its combination of natural splendor and relaxed, welcoming atmosphere, Waiheke Island is a must-visit destination for anyone exploring New Zealand.

One Day to Play

When visiting New Zealand, there are nearly endless opportunities for outdoor adventure. The vibe of Waiheke Island is best described as wine country meets beach town. Ferrying in and out for the day is the perfect amount of time to take in the highlights, drink some fabulous wine, and make it back before sunset. There are certainly options for overnight accommodations if you feel so inclined, but we felt a day trip was enough to experience the island ambiance.

Know Before You Go

This may be an obvious or redundant reminder, but since New Zealand is in the southern hemisphere, their seasons are switched. As such, summer is December through February– making these very popular months to visit. March is awesome because the weather is still nice, abate a bit cooler, and it’s not quite as crowded. While there’s certainly magic to visiting New Zealand in the winter, Waiheke Island isn’t as ideal of a day trip during these months.

Ferry Ferry

Waiheke Island isn’t tooo far from Auckland, but it is outside swimming distance– for most people at least! Fullers360 is a company that runs ferries back and forth, so they are the likely conduit to your exploration. They depart from the Auckland Ferry Terminal, which is relatively easy to locate.

Fuller360 sells a few different types of tickets: walk-up, reserve, and off-peak. We visited in February and didn’t have any issue with purchasing a walk-up (or first come, first serve) ticket and getting on the boat at our desired time. The reserve tickets are a nice option for anyone that’s excellent at sticking to an itinerary, as they guarantee the date and time of your ferry ride.

For us, we were out the door about an hour and a half later than anticipated (still trying to shake that jet lag), so we enjoyed the flexibility of a walk up ticket. The off peak ticket is a great option for anyone that plans to head to Waiheke Island after 1pm and return back to Auckland after 7pm. You can buy your tickets online ahead of time– check out the various fare options here.

* This is the ferry service we used, but Island Direct is another ferry service (similarly priced) option. They have fewer options for times (i.e. their ferries run less frequently), but you book your ticket for a specific time, so you would be guaranteed a seat on a specific ferry ride.

a perfect day on waiheke starts with a easy boat ride as pictured here. the ferry departs from aukland, leaving the skyline in the background

bonus

When you purchase your ferry ticket, you also have the option to add on access to the hop on/off bus on the island. It costs ~$20 USD more, but it might just be worth it to maximize your exploration. That being said, ensure you make a fully informed decision– buses depart from Matiatia Ferry Terminal every 30 or 60 minutes, depending on day and time of year, so if you time it up nicely, this could help streamline your transit, but if you just miss the bus, you might find yourself waiting for a bit…. or just deciding to walk anyways! You can find a full list with all the ‘hop on/off’ stops here.

Walk It Out

The Waiheke Island Short Loop trail is a 3.5 mile loop trail that starts near the ferry drop off points and takes you through the Matietie Historic Reserve and along the Ōwhanake Bay. While not everyone starts a ‘relaxing day’ with a hike, it’s too beautiful not to! It makes for incredible views to start off your day. New Zealand is known for its pristine, picturesque views and this hike will not disappoint.

The hike is a loop, so it will bring you around back towards the Matiatia wharf. If you go west along Ocean View Road, you will complete the loop, but if you go rogue and head east, you will find yourself in Oneroa Village.

Oneroa Beach

After a nice morning walk, you’ve more than earned some beachy relaxation time! Oneroa Beach is the main beach on Waiheke Island— one look at its inviting golden sands and crystal-clear waters will have you understanding why. Nestled along the island’s western coastline, Oneroa enjoys a sheltered location, which makes its waters calm and perfect for swimming. This makes it an awesome relaxation locale, with a family-friendly atmosphere. It’s also only a 30-ish minute walk from the ferry terminal, which goes by quickly– even faster if you take the bus! It’s also right along the Oneroa Village, which means there’s an array of cozy cafés, a few boutique shops, and art galleries nearby to peruse.

Mudbrick Vineyard

Mudbrick Vineyard is a must-visit spot for casual enthusiasts and wine connoisseurs alike. Not only are the wines quite remarkable, but Mudbrick also had a stunning location. Situated on the northern tip of Waiheke Island, the vineyard offers sweeping panoramic views of the Hauraki Gulf, with the Auckland skyline visible on the horizon. The contrast of lush vineyards set against the backdrop of the sparkling sea, makes it a dreamy place for wine tasting.

For the wine savants, Mudbrick is known for its Bordeaux-style reds and its Chardonnay. We were particularly keen on the Chardonnay ourselves! Even if you want to skip the wine tasting experience all together, it’s still worth making your way to the vineyard to enjoy a peaceful lunch at their rooftop restaurant.

There are a handful of vineyards within reasonable walking distance of the ferry port; however, this one takes the cake. If you only have time for one vineyard, it should be Mudbrick! The tranquil ambiance and exceptional wines make this a memorable stop.

Man O War Vineyard – optional

If you are up and out the door early, you might have time to squeeze in a visit to the Man O War Vineyard. It’s about 45 minutes east– a good bit past where the hop on/off trolley runs. The vineyard runs a shuttle over to their property twice a day– at 11am and 1pm (not free but cost is very reasonable). The shuttle is the easiest and most economical way to reach their beautiful estate.

We had considered making the trek as we’d heard that not only is the vineyard itself beautiful, but the drive out there, while a little bumpy, is rather scenic as well. However, we decided to take the day at a bit slower pace. It’s worth noting, if you do decide to go out to Man O War, be sure to make a wine tasting and/or food reservation. If you visit during high season, you’re unlikely to be guaranteed walk-up availability.

Merry Ferry

The ferry arrives and departs from the same marina, so navigating your way back to the mainland shouldn’t be too challenging. The 35 minutes back to port fly by— depending on what time of year you visit, you might just catch the sunset as well as you make your way back.

Waiheke Island is a gem of the north island. In a one-day-visit, you are able to experience some of the exquisite scenery New Zealand is known for, while enjoying a relaxing day of hiking, beach lounging, and wine tasting. We hope you enjoy the most perfect day on Waiheke Island!

If your travels bring you to South Island, spending some time in Queenstown is a MUST! Check out our awesome 2-day itinerary here. Happy travels!

written by Dana

CEO of being stubbornly independent, Dana lives to speak her mind as her feisty personality lends itself to her outspoken nature. Dana epitomizes the concept of “spending money on experiences, not things” as she is constantly complaining that she has nothing to wear, but ALWAYS has her next trip on the docket.

New Zealand is a country known for its gorgeous landscapes and heart-racing thrills, and the South Island is especially breathtaking. No city embodies this allure quite like Queenstown, with its mountainous vistas, winding canyons, and nearly endless opportunities for adventure sports. While you could easily stay longer, two full days in scenic Queenstown is enough to get a taste of what makes this spectacular city so special. We’ve compiled the perfect itinerary— a nice combination of action-packed and restful relaxation that will make it hard to leave.

Queenstown is a growing resort town, with booming tourism, and while no one wants to be a tacky tourist, there’s some things that are worth being just a little touristy for. I mean, how many opportunities in life will a gal get to go bungee jumping into a canyon?!

dog in the water in front of boat, with scenic Queenstown backdrop

When Delta slashed Skymiles prices and made a round-trip flight to New Zealand 50k miles, we didn’t think twice! The long flight is more than worth it to experience all New Zealand has to offer– particularly the lovely and lush South Island. While the nearby mountain range, The Remarkables, is known to be great skiing in the winter, we visited in the summer, enjoying the vibrant colors and warmer temps of February. Could not recommend this time of year more highly! The weather was just absolutely perfect for all the fun we got into.

Where to stay?

Downtown Queenstown! You cannot beat the convenience of being walking distance from everything– plus you can avoid renting a car by using your own two feet. Uber runs in Queenstown, which makes it easy to get to and from the airport, when necessary. While it’s possible to snag a cheaper hotel or Airbnb a bit farther away, you’ll spend a dime on ubers or a rental car, so the slightly more expensive hotel is likely worth it!

To Drive or Not to Drive

If you plan to stay downtown (which we recommend) you don’t need a car. Everything is pretty walkable, plus most tour services have complimentary shuttles that run, so having your own car isn’t a necessity. Also, not all hotels have free parking for vehicles, so this gives you one less thing to worry about. If you plan to drive around and explore outside of Queenstown, we recommend just renting your car for the days once you leave!

Time Flies

Queenstown really is set up to be quite the year-round destination. Their summer months are December through February, so this tends to be the best time to go for warmer days and maximizing sunlight hours. We visited in February and found the weather to be nothing short of delightful— almost chilly for these FL girls.

The winter months of June, July, and August are filled with snow and the joys of shredding the gnar for any skiing or snowboarding visitors. We loved the vibrant allure of the summer months, but there’s much to be said for the untouched beauty of winter!

DAY 1

Odd Saint

To start the day off strong, swing by the cutest neighborhood eatery: Odd Saint. Not only is the breakfast delish but they also sell coffee from a local roaster. Even if you’re feeling a bit jet-lagged, a cup of eighthirty coffee will get you powered through your day. When we visit new places, I’m hard pressed to frequent the same spots twice… there’s so many new things to try; however, Odd Saint was so good, I found myself back here a couple times while we were in Queenstown.

Queenstown Hill

Once you’re fully caffeinated, it’s time to get your blood pumping and muscles burning! The Queenstown Hill Hike starts not far from the city and despite being convenient to access, it’s a bit steeper than you might initially assume, but not too technical. The view at the top makes the sweat equity more than worth it! The Queenstown panoramic landscape really is unforgettable!! Plus, there are 6 informational plaques to stop and read along your climb, to give you a little more background on Queenstown’s history.

As with any hike, it’s always a good idea to ensure you have enough water and a snack or two to enjoy at the top. Once you make it up there, you’ll never want to leave!

Fergburger

All that hiking’s going to have you ready for a big lunch! Generally speaking, ordering a burger outside the good ‘ole USA is a rookie move– almost guaranteed to disappoint; however, we’d heard so much hype about Fergburger, we figured we had to give it a try… and it lived up to the hype! Hands down the best burger we’ve ever eaten abroad! The line can get a little long, so either call and put a pick-up order in ahead of time, or arrive with a bit of a patient mindset. The burger will be worth the wait!

Whimsical Wandering

Fergburger is in the downtown Queenstown area, so when you’re finished eating, it’s nice to just wander a bit, check out the shops… or perhaps snag an ice cream cone and just look out across Lake Wakatipu.

Skyline

Everything in the downtown area is pretty close, so it won’t take long to reach Skyline… or at least the base of Skyline. Getting up to the Skyline complex means taking a dreamy gondola ride up to Bob’s Peak. As you might imagine, SkyLine offers a breathtaking view of the horizon and local landscape while also affording all kinds of fun.

If you’re feeling a little competitive and ready for a racing rush, going on the luge is an absolute MUST. You might be thinking to yourself ‘What is a luge?’ The best answer would be ‘part go-kart, part toboggan’. Powered by gravity and the giddy excitement of flying downhill, luge rides are an even-more-fun-than-expected way to end the day.

While the luge is arguably their most popular attraction, there’s all kinds of fun to be had up here. Time of year can dictate availability, but there’s also stargazing, mountain biking, guided walks, paragliding, and ziplining if you’re keen to sneak in additional adventures for day one.

DAY 2

Shotover Canyon Swing

Start the day off right with the ultimate adrenaline rush! Queenstown is known for being home to all kinds of adrenaline junkie hobbies, and the bungee-jumping-esque Shotover Canyon Swing will send you on a wild ride and get your heart pumping in the best way. This was our favorite thing we did while in Queenstown because you just can’t beat the rush!!! After your initial jump, you can go again for a fraction of the initial cost. As you might guess, we couldn’t resist a second round of the thrill, and we both went soaring a second time!

As an added bonus there’s loads of different ‘jump styles’ to rock n’ roll with as you plummet into the canyon. We both got a little more brave on our second swinging jump and went down backwards from a handstand….. yeeeeee haw!!!

We didn’t do any boat exploration, BUT if you’re interested in zooming around in the canyon itself after you finish soaring through it, booking the Canyon Swing and the jet boat ride together can save you some pennies!

Queenstown Gardens

The Queenstown Gardens is an easy, short walk from the center of town and makes for a gorgeous afternoon saunter. If you’re visiting in the warm spring and summer months, you can expect to find colorful flowers in bloom and stretches of trees reaching for the sky. There’s also loads of different sculptures to check out as well. In addition to all the lovely flora, the gardens also provide quite the view of the surrounding lake, beach, and mountains. Holy moly, what a sight!!!

If you disc golf, and have room in your luggage, you might want to pack a disc or two… there’s a the course through the gardens!

Onsen Hot Pools

Wind down for the day at Onsen Hot Pools! Life is all about living and learning, and while we really enjoyed our hot pool relaxation, if we were to do it again, we would book an evening slot to take in the stars. The pools are so luxuriously relaxing, and the open roof would make for an incredible stargazing spot!! That being said, the view during the day really was rather remarkable, so you can’t go wrong– regardless of the time you visit.

There’s a few different room options, but we did the Original Onsen and loved it— would definitely chose this option again. The room includes a couple different beverage and snack choices, which was refreshing. If you’re feeling like you could use some extra relaxation, they do offer some spa services as well!

No car? No problem! When you make your booking, you can request a free shuttle service from central Queenstown.

Two days goes fast but it’s enough to get a nice glimpse of the highlights of Queenstown… and experience some of her thrills! It’s certain to leave you eager to come back one day– even just to take in the panoramic scenery one more time. Happy travels!

written by McKenna

If you look up diva in the dictionary, you will find a picture of McKenna Lee. Loud-mouthed and overly opinionated she may have the biggest personality (read: attitude) of us all. McKenna is in college at FGCU, but her passion lies in her small business Mack Swimwear and running her small group through church. She lives for days spent in a bathing suit, and tries to go surfing in every new beach town she visits.