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W ild on Waih
Lisa Beattie and her
family head to New
Zealand’s Waiheke
Island to enjoy fresh
air, clean beaches,
rolling hills – and the
odd drop of wine
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W
aiheke island, a short
40-minute ferry hop from
Auckland’s ferry port, was
nothing short of my ideal
location. The food, beaches, hiking,
wineries and perfectly clean, fresh air
– what’s not to love?
The New Zealand island boasts 92
square kilometres of pristine beaches,
stunning coastal headlands, vineyards,
olive groves and seaside villages and
has been rated as one of the top island
escapes in the world.
Compared by some to Queensland’s
Byron Bay, Waiheke is home to some
of the region’s most talented artisans,
producers and foodies, so there is
truly something for everyone. Organic
comes as standard and the quality of
life is enviable.
The adventure itself begins on the
ferry ride out. Leaving approximately
every 30 minutes, the journey provides
endless views of the Auckland city
coastline, outlying islands and of course
dormant volcanoes. By the time you
arrive at the ferry pier in Oneroa, you’ll
be fully engaged in the Maori spirit of
‘māhorahora’, sipping your first hand-
crafted flat white or beer, and ready to
soak up all that the island has to offer.
Oneroa is the island’s ‘capital village’,
its main street decorated with local
retailers and restaurants, with hardly a
mainstream brand name to be seen –
perfect escapism! Oneroa is home to
some of the island’s most renowned
eateries, such as The Oyster Inn, where
you can easily tell from the taste that the
seafood is fresh that day, if not hour. It
goes without saying that their oysters
are a must! Snappy lunchtime eats can
be had at the funky little burger joint,
Two Fat Buns, where the kids will be
kept perfectly occupied by their tasty
burgers and old fashioned milk shakes.
Oh and Mums, whilst you are waiting
for your order, you should nip next door
to check out The Oyster Inn’s clothing
store – lots of quirky little finds in there.
Choosing to stay out of the thick of
it, our Airbnb rental, Bella Vista Escape,
was set within wooded hills above
Rocky Bay, along a dusty, charming