WAIHEKE ISLAND information, walks, beaches,photos,history,retro,dogs,events,& more...
Video above courtesy of Tourism Auckland
WAIHEKE ISLAND - the basics
Arrival 10a.m. Saturday in March, Matiatia
After leaving Auckland City, the passenger ferry for Waiheke Island arrives on the West (left) side of the island, at Matiatia, the end point of Oceanview Road.
( Allow an hour travel time including boarding and disembarking)
If you arrive by vehicle, on the car ferry, the wharf is on the South
( Donald Bruce Rd) at Kennedy Point. ( This ferry trip takes around 90 minutes)
Waiheke has a resident population of around 8,000 within 92 square kilometres. The main area of population extends from Oneroa to Onetangi and covers only around a third of the total land mass - the east end is largely unpopulated, being farmland and vineyards.
Most of the terrain is hilly, so some walks are challenging, but worth it for the views. There are at least 6 good sandy swimming beaches in the main populated area - mostly along the northern coastline.
Southern beaches tend to be shallow and calm.
Waiheke Island on Wikipedia this link will take you to a site with more general information
CHECK OUT the Waiheke Scenic Slideshow at the bottom of this page
NEWS page NO I want to go straight to the BEACHES page
ALL PHOTOS COPYRIGHT WAIHEKE NEWS
( Allow an hour travel time including boarding and disembarking)
If you arrive by vehicle, on the car ferry, the wharf is on the South
( Donald Bruce Rd) at Kennedy Point. ( This ferry trip takes around 90 minutes)
Waiheke has a resident population of around 8,000 within 92 square kilometres. The main area of population extends from Oneroa to Onetangi and covers only around a third of the total land mass - the east end is largely unpopulated, being farmland and vineyards.
Most of the terrain is hilly, so some walks are challenging, but worth it for the views. There are at least 6 good sandy swimming beaches in the main populated area - mostly along the northern coastline.
Southern beaches tend to be shallow and calm.
Waiheke Island on Wikipedia this link will take you to a site with more general information
CHECK OUT the Waiheke Scenic Slideshow at the bottom of this page
NEWS page NO I want to go straight to the BEACHES page
ALL PHOTOS COPYRIGHT WAIHEKE NEWS
To check back on conditions in town: a sitecam covering the central port area of Auckland City
To check on marine conditions and weather in the Waiheke area go to SWELLMAP
To check on marine conditions and weather in the Waiheke area go to SWELLMAP
WHAT'S UP?
ON THE TINY ISLE OF WAIHEKE 8,000 multiplies to over 30,00 during summer. The terrain is hilly, hence great views, roads are narrow and windy - so driving can be hazardous. Summertime visitors often cycle, walk and scooter around the small populated area so care needs to be taken to share the space in the spirit of a quiet scenic retreat - instead of bringing city values like speed and competition: chill out, you're already here. visitors who don't want to mingle city-style with thousands of others can easily get away from most of them: the island has an extensive range of walkways, many passing through isolated bays -check out some on the WALKS page.
WINE is a big deal on Waiheke owing to the highly appropriate climate and soil types. With over 30 vineyards, many visitors come for tastings, dining out - along with walking it off -all year round. This WINE link is worth a look.
OLIVES also grow very well, resulting in various boutique growers, celebrating annually in November with a festival of oil, olives, food jazz at Rangihoua
For an extensive study of the Waiheke Visitor Experience carried out by University staff - click to access this online
WINE is a big deal on Waiheke owing to the highly appropriate climate and soil types. With over 30 vineyards, many visitors come for tastings, dining out - along with walking it off -all year round. This WINE link is worth a look.
OLIVES also grow very well, resulting in various boutique growers, celebrating annually in November with a festival of oil, olives, food jazz at Rangihoua
For an extensive study of the Waiheke Visitor Experience carried out by University staff - click to access this online
for those needing help or information
Once you have arrived on the island and feel a little unsure what to do or where to go : walk or take the bus to Oneroa Village and locate the i-Site information office near the pharmacy in the centre of Oneroa.
Information and maps will help you plan your visit so that you get the best from your time on Waiheke Island.
Walking, kayaking, wine-tasting, beaches and specialist events are some of the popular options.
Scooter, car and bike hires are all available on the island.
Oneroa Village is the biggest retail-commercial centre, with several banks plus automatic teller machines. There is just one Supermarket -on the main bus route, past Ostend. Most of the main beaches have a toilet facility. You are advised to drink bottled water as the local supply is from roof catchment tanks and needs to be boiled before drinking. Free camping is not legal on the island - there is one camping ground at Whakanewha Regional Park.
We drive on the left side and visitors are advised to drive slower than normal in order to learn the local conditions - narrow, often rough, windy roads in a largely hilly terrain make it easy to make mistakes. Watch for walkers -with narrow roads and no footpaths in most locations, take care when driving - and stay to the side of the road if walking. The sun is very strong in summer - hats and sunscreen are advised for light skinned people.
Waiheke has its own "wiki" find out more from WAIHEKEPEDIA
Information and maps will help you plan your visit so that you get the best from your time on Waiheke Island.
Walking, kayaking, wine-tasting, beaches and specialist events are some of the popular options.
Scooter, car and bike hires are all available on the island.
Oneroa Village is the biggest retail-commercial centre, with several banks plus automatic teller machines. There is just one Supermarket -on the main bus route, past Ostend. Most of the main beaches have a toilet facility. You are advised to drink bottled water as the local supply is from roof catchment tanks and needs to be boiled before drinking. Free camping is not legal on the island - there is one camping ground at Whakanewha Regional Park.
We drive on the left side and visitors are advised to drive slower than normal in order to learn the local conditions - narrow, often rough, windy roads in a largely hilly terrain make it easy to make mistakes. Watch for walkers -with narrow roads and no footpaths in most locations, take care when driving - and stay to the side of the road if walking. The sun is very strong in summer - hats and sunscreen are advised for light skinned people.
Waiheke has its own "wiki" find out more from WAIHEKEPEDIA
RETRO ON THE ROCKThere's still time, but not much, to encounter retro life as it was on Waiheke. Buildings, houses and opshop nicnacs from decades pre-80's can be found:
Oneroa Red Cross is best for retro clothes SPCA Opshop is best for retro furniture, nic nacs New Hope is best for all sorts & may be cheapest Visit the RETRO page to find out about Waiheke's Retro Walk around Oneroa Tips: read Islands of the Gulf (1966); visit Waiheke pics http://bit.ly/cLN9rK No I want to go straight to the RETRO page |
OLD WAIHEKEA special nod to the Waiheke of old - the island as a quiet outpost is no more and for some that is their preferred outcome. Nostalgia for the old days and ways reigns strong amongst long-term residents -as well as new arrivals who want to turn the clock back. After all, what have we really got to crow about in 2010? Waiheke is a prime location for time reversal. All it would take is some bold public policy - including reducing the speed limit to a gentile 40kms, encouraging more walking & cycling along with horseback & wagon style
Visit the OLD WAIHEKE page for more info and pix |
UPCOMING EVENTSFerry to ROTOROA Island our nearby neighbour
catch the ferry at Orapiu wharf for a 20 minute ride to this close neighbour Follow Waiheke Events posted at EVENTFINDER Waiheke has lots on offer other than politics, culture & food, so scroll down for some inspiration. Waiheke Walks promotes shorter duration entry level walks rather than full on tramping. This is the place to start your adventure: Waiheke Walks the fishing rulesVarious beachfronts on Waiheke Island indicate local fishing limits and seasons on these large installed signs - enlarged panel view on http://twitpic.com/3g20mb - so that ignorance cannot be tendered as an excuse.
Boating and fishing are very popular activities as you'd imagine on a small island but fish stocks have declined dramatically since the golden era ended a few decades ago - making a conservative policy essential. In addition those who use the sea can give back by not dumping plastic trash overboard or disposing of filleted fish bodies close to shore
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Got a Local Gripe or Bright Idea?Local councillor Mike Lee, Local Board Chair Faye Storer & Auckland Mayor Len Brown are waiting to hear from you. No, not really, but you've employed them to listen.
Mike Lee ph 3727727 / 0274943198 [email protected] Faye Storer ph 3729396 [email protected] Len Brown ph 3010101 [email protected] Full list of contacts: http://tinyurl.com/22sznzq Postal: Auckland Council Private Bag 9230 Auckland 1142 CLICK this link to read what arises at board meetings,who in in charge of services portfolios, plus the new local plan WAIHEKE LOCAL BOARD PLAN |
POETRY IN MOTIONWalking Waiheke is not only a tranquil & uplifting experience - it has also become poetic, thanks to the installation of several haiku markers along the Hekerua-Sandy Bay section of the Bays walkway HOT TIP #2 on the WALKS page. The haiku was put in place during the recent Walking Festival and can be found on both sides of the cliff-side track. The markers are large and carved in organic shapes, fitting in unobtrusively into the bush environment, thanks to the efforts of the programme's volunteers.
Remember, the best way to really see Waiheke is on foot. |
BEST INCARNATION......as a dog, on Oneroa Beach at 8.am, any day, because there's no bureaucracy saying you can't be a natural dog, run, sniff and play...until 10am (summertime). Local dogs are blessed with ideal exercise conditions -which is how it should be on the mainland. Supercity cannot promise any quick resolution of any of the multiple bylaw variations across the former jurisdictions, so for now Waiheke remains one of the best places to visit with your dog. Checkout the walkways especially those on the WALKS page for a great day out with your pooch. More info about dogs on Waiheke - visit DOGS
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IT'S SCOOTER TIMEGood weather means visitors and a lot of them want to do the cool thing - hire a scooter & have a team tour of the island paradise. All good so far -but these yellow buzzy things don't require a licence to drive & there arises the red flag. Poorly driven vehicles - motorbikes, scooters, cars, SUV's, buses, trucks, vans - we have heaps of on Waiheke - a situation aggravated by the winding, uneven, narrow and pot-holed roads. Get the picture? One almost flattened scooter driver this avo will live to tell the tale, but multi use on the island's roads is only going to work long-term if a lower speed limit is adopted.
("Slow Down You're Already Here") In the meantime LET'S BE CAREFUL OUT THERE |
WEATHER CYCLES & PLANTING GUIDE
Kiwi Ken Ring has a lot to say on the planets affecting our weather .
He tracks the lunar cycles including apogee, perigee, new & full moons, as well as declinations north and south of the equator http://tinyurl.com/27slr5r
There are many great sites offering guidance for best planting practices related to the lunar cycle:
Lunar Planting
Maori Lunar Calendar
NZ Lunar Guide
Planting Guide in detail
From these sites you'll learn which days are best for planting for leaf growth, when for fruit, when flowers will take best etc, using the wisdom of the ages
He tracks the lunar cycles including apogee, perigee, new & full moons, as well as declinations north and south of the equator http://tinyurl.com/27slr5r
There are many great sites offering guidance for best planting practices related to the lunar cycle:
Lunar Planting
Maori Lunar Calendar
NZ Lunar Guide
Planting Guide in detail
From these sites you'll learn which days are best for planting for leaf growth, when for fruit, when flowers will take best etc, using the wisdom of the ages
Weather for Waiheke
Summer 2011-2012 has gotten off to a slow, cool start.. While it seems the world is stretched to the limits by weather extremes in many places, New Zealand is beginning to experience some extreme events as well. Climate scientists are all over the place regarding what's going on. Is it worse than it ever has been or are we witnessing long-term cycles coming into play? How much does human activity cause major climate change? What about the bigger picture: earth is after all a small player in space and the sun calls all the shots - so if you prefer to take a deeper look, it's worth considering what changes in outer space are involved.
Extended Auckland & Waiheke weather info on the Wunderground site - scroll fully to access all Akld stations
Extended Auckland & Waiheke weather info on the Wunderground site - scroll fully to access all Akld stations
A Snapshot of Waiheke Youth
A recent study by AUT researcher Nicki Jackson uncovers the typical issues facing youth living on an island with limited social resources offset by a thriving party culture.
The report suggests that youth be encouraged to make use of the natural environment as an option for leisure activities.
Walking, horse-riding, swimming, kyaking and cycling come immediately to mind as possibilities but these options require committed volunteer organisers or teen-focussed businesses to create a health-based culture as an alternative to alcohol-based leisure. Around 1000 island residents are within the age 12-24 demographic.
An online summary of the report is accessed here
The report suggests that youth be encouraged to make use of the natural environment as an option for leisure activities.
Walking, horse-riding, swimming, kyaking and cycling come immediately to mind as possibilities but these options require committed volunteer organisers or teen-focussed businesses to create a health-based culture as an alternative to alcohol-based leisure. Around 1000 island residents are within the age 12-24 demographic.
An online summary of the report is accessed here
This link takes you directly to theWALKS page