Things to do on a Girls Weekend on Waiheke Island
Waiheke Island is known for its Waiheke wineries, weddings & summer holidays. But there are lots of other things to do, and with borders closed, the coming months are a great time to explore some of the other options, all just a 35 minute ferry ride from Auckland. So when someone asks ‘what is there to do on Waiheke Island’, or if you are ready to plan for a girls' weekend, or a hen’s party on Waiheke to get away close to Auckland, read on! Here are ten ideas for a fun New Zealand staycation with your gal pals.
Join us for lunch, a Whisky tasting & a crafty brew!
On a hot day it’s hard to beat a cold beer, and The ‘Heke is opening in late December 2021 as Waiheke’s newest restaurant and home of Waiheke craft beer and whisky. Originally we had this option at number 5, but in case you don’t have time to read all ten options, we changed our minds - we’re number 1! Whisky is becoming more popular for women, according to MasterOfMalt “there’s been a 15% increase since 2010, with women now accounting for around 35% of whisky drinkers”. There are only so many nights one can drink wine, right? With a wee dram you can sit and ponder the universe while you sip and savour.
If you’re keen to give it a go, you’re in the right place. The ‘Heke, a beautiful relaxed restaurant and garden bar, is the home of gold medal award-winning New Zealand whisky distiller Waiheke Whisky and Waiheke’s own craft beer heke lager from Waiheke Brewing Co. Here you can sit back and relax with your friends in the garden or comfy booth seating and learn more about whisky with a whisky tasting set. The fresh local food is flame cooked with a wood oven and wood-fired grill, along with loads of vegetarian options.
Wander the olive groves, sit out under the pergola for the afternoon, and of course there’s craft beer on tap, an extensive wine list, some special gin cocktails and lots of delicious drinks for your sober driver too! As it’s a girls weekend you have probably left the kids at home but if one snuck in they will be happy playing in the 4 acre gardens, burning off some excess energy on the giant bouncy pillow and choosing family friendly food off their own menu.
2. Plan the best ‘hens do’ on Waiheke Island
Join Waiheke Wine Tours for their made-for-you Hens tour. Choose your own options to make the day just perfect for you and they can manage groups of 6 to 25 of your closest buddies. You can even have your own Spotify playlist in the vans, and there are a range of price points to suit your budget too.
If you want to enjoy the outdoors, head to the coast for a walk down the long stretch of Waiheke’s most beautiful beach, Onetangi Beach with it’s gently rolling waves, white sand & pohutukawas perfect for a picnic in the shade.
If none of that appeals, you can can arrange horse-riding packages, run by a super woman who runs a brilliant activity with multiple five star reviews befitting one of the best rated activities on Waiheke Island.
3. Cycle the island - Vino & Bike…
In the past, cycling on Waiheke Island made for a pretty strenuous day, but with the latest E-bikes for rent on Waiheke, the hills are flattened and you can arrive with less puff and more panache!
Mark, Katja and their team can provide you with all the gear you need for your bike hire, start and finish options, traditional and interactive digital maps, and trail information. They can even customise a route specifically for you and your group, complete with GPS waypoint locations as you go - your own personalised Waiheke Island tour.
The best news is that they will come if you call and pick up your bike if your lunch turns into a looooong one! There are a range of route suggestions on their website and you can book directly with the owners who can meet you off the ferry with your bikes ready to go if you like.
Visit Waiheke Bike Shop to book your tour.
4. Brunch & Browse
Head to Waiheke’s best brunch district, Oneroa, for a bite to eat and a browse of the local shops. We’ve compiled our favourite brunch spots and the shops we love to visit when we have a weekend to ourselves!
Akito was opened by a young local couple who wanted to bring health-focused food to the everyday. They will treat you to amazing plant-based food, the turmeric chai latte is as good as the coffee, and it’s a happy cosy space to enjoy the start of your day.
As an alternative, our go-to is Fenice for a big breakfast, their eggs bene is a locals favourite and especially good after a big night!
If you are just after a coffee, or a fresh juice, try the Island Grocer, that’s also a great place to stock up for your antipasto platter back at the bach!
We-ar is a yoga-centric clothes store founded by a Waihekean, now with shops across Auckland & Bali. Expect great service and natural fibres on clothes that move with you. *Warning* - it’s hard to leave without buying!
The Tailor & His Lover specialise in beautiful natural fabrics and has a following all over New Zealand. Linen and fine cotton voile shirts, silk kimonos, the best comfy wide legged pants and a range of dresses to take you from the beach to dinner.
Greatest Friend is an ethical concept store in the heart of Oneroa. From vintage threads, to a great record selection, sustainable swimwear and Aotea organic skincare & essential oils (locally made on Aotea/Great Barrier Island). Perusing their shelves is one of our favourite past-times!
Timmy Smith is a bright space with hand crafted pieces curated, primarily from around the island. If you are lucky, you will find Thea ceramics (they sell out fast - so go early!) and choose a special bespoke piece of jewellery for a friend or for yourself while you taste their delicious range of loose leaf tea.
Artworks Gallery
Past the village & toward the ferry, is the Artworks Gallery, with an ever evolving exhibition of original art and a shop with local books, art, ceramics and the most useful gift of all - tea towels!
5. Take a hike … walking trails
Te Ara Hura is a walking trail that takes in the entire island. At over 100km long, you can do any stretch of it that you want. If 15 minutes is your idea of a good walk then who are we to judge!
The island is broken up into zones for the walks, with each having its own special qualities and marked with red badges denoting Te Ara Hura. Our favourite walks cover all the zones - people watching, bush and birds, and of course the bays and inlets of the coastal walks.
In Whakanewha Regional Park you can choose from waterfalls, native bush and a peaceful beach with towering pohutukawa. On the north side of the island you can walk from the soft white sand of Oneroa beach, up Newton Track and all the way to everyone’s favourite swimming spot at Palm Beach. Further along the island Onetangi beach stretches 1.87 km, with tracks at either end making your walk as long as you like. There you can also get a takeaway coffee, an ice cream, or a cold rosé and a bowl of fries - if you think you’ve earned it!
6. Picnic on the Peninsula
Once you have gathered your supplies - french cheese, Waiheke Island honey, fresh bread, fruit & craft beer (or kombucha) - cycle over to Fossil Bay for a picnic on the peninsula. Once you’re at the top of the track, take in the breath-taking scenery. Whether you’re a visitor or even a local, you’ll be feeling like you are in a tropical paradise far away.
Or, if you’re feeling more adventurous, take your picnic and drive out to Stony Batter - tour the tunnels and take in the spectacular 360 degree views of the ocean and the vineyards that surround this historic site.
7. Head to one of the island’s hidden beaches for a dip
Who wouldn’t have a cheeky dip when staying on an island? One of the top 5 island’s in the world according to Conde Nast’s ‘Best Islands in the World’, and the Lonely Planet's Best in Travel publication.
After your morning yoga - why not jog or skip down to one of the island’s many beaches for a refreshing dip & play in the waves? There are many benefits to ocean swimming for your sense of wellbeing. But if like me - you count a swim as running in and out - it’s still totally worth it.
Our top picks:
Onetangi Beach - the longest beach on the island, an open stretch of sand & occasionally surf - especially in the winter months!
Oneroa Beach - another big bay, take a walk round the rocks to Lil’ O(neroa) or settle for Big O, it’s our favourite beach on a stormy day.
Palm Beach - the ultimate summer’s day beach - depending on the tide, it drops off pretty early so great for a dip if you don’t want to be wading out in the water for a while.
Fisherman’s Rock - if you can figure out how to get to this hotspot, it’s tucked away and is a great place to jump off the rocks & go for an adventure. We’ve been told a few of our younger Waihekeians sneak down here for a dip in term time! You’ll have to ask a local to find out where this Waiheke secret is!
Man O’War Bay - The perfect place for a picnic, and an escape from the more popular destinations. Down the beaten track, you will find this nifty little bay - a great spot if you have just been to visit Stony Batter.
8. Go to the movies
The Open Air Cinema
In the summer months, outside the library & along the Artworks courtyard, head to Waiheke’s very own Open Air Cinema. Warning - it sells out! Last year they played Quidam by Cirque du Soleil, Ratatouille & Grease - get your requests in for this summer!
The Waiheke Cinema
If you are ready for a break from the sunshine, or it’s a cloudy day, you can visit the cinema. Run by local volunteers, this is a full digital cinema with the latest movies and art house films.
You’ll find the Waiheke Cinema tucked away in the Artworks Courtyard. An old-Waiheke treasure! They play a variety of shows from arthouse, blockbusters & even sing-a-long musical nights! Every year they are home to the Studio Italia Cinema Italiano Festival - an occasion that is not to be missed - a week-long Italian Cinema screening once in the winter and then the finalé in the summer. With their comfy couches, Kapiti ice creams & snacks you’ll just have to switch your phone to silent… sit back and relax!
9. Move, meditate or just breathe with one of the Island’s many yoga teachers
Did you know that Waiheke Island has the most yoga teachers per capita in NZ?!
And we like to think they are some of the best!
Whether you’re looking for a bit of nourishment, a slow ease into your day or something a bit more energetic - there is something for everyone.
Choose from a group class, private session or bespoke package - you’ll be spoilt for choice, with many of the island’s teachers providing nourishing yoga, breath-work & meditation sessions tailored to your needs. The Breathing Space is the island’s yoga directory, find a class that suits you or reach out to one of the teacher’s directly.
10. Soothe those tired muscles at Connect Studio for an infra-red sauna, physio or private pilates session.
After your walk, soothe those tired muscles at Connect Studio. Choose from an infra-red sauna (known for detoxifying & repairing the body), physiotherapy or pilates session.
In the heart of Oneroa Village, Connect offers a space where you can unwind both physically & mentally. With Timmy Smith's herbal teas on arrival, we recommend booking in for an infra-sauna. Even after a few minutes, you’ll be feeling “relaxed, rejuvenated & renewed.”
Plus our favourite bit of trivia - infra-red saunas improve your skin, the combination of increased blood circulation & the body trying to cool itself down, rids the skin of any toxins (hello if you’ve had one too many whisky the night before!) and draws nutrients to the skin’s surface - giving you that sunkissed glow - think J.Lo circa 2005 ;)
Hopefully that helps you with ideas about what to do on Waiheke! With 8 kids between us, the two families at the heart of The ‘Heke appreciate that everyone needs a break from time to time! If you want to bring the family back for a lunch with us, or bring dad for a whisky tasting, we’d love to see you all.
But in the meantime, make a date, bring the girls to visit, and let us know you’re on a girls weekend - we’ll make sure you relax and have a great time with us.
