The Church Bay Circuit is one of Waiheke’s most beautiful coastal walks, taking you around the western peninsula with sweeping views across the Hauraki Gulf to Rangitoto and Auckland City. This loop winds along clifftops and pebbly beaches, through regenerating bush reserves, past vineyards and farmland, with plenty of spots to stop for a swim or picnic.
It’s a great walk if you want stunning coastal scenery without venturing far from the main areas – you can easily combine it with a visit to Cable Bay or Mudbrick vineyards, or finish up in Oneroa village for lunch.
| What | Details |
|---|---|
| Where | Church Bay, western Waiheke Island |
| Start | Church Bay Road (near letterbox 206) or Matiatia Ferry Terminal |
| Distance | 8-8.5 km loop |
| Time | 2.5-3 hours |
| Difficulty | Easy to moderate |
| Elevation | Around 150m – some decent climbs |
| Dogs | Allowed on leash |
| Prams/Wheelchairs | No – clifftop paths, steps, uneven terrain |
| Parking | Street parking on Church Bay Road, or start from ferry terminal |
| Best for | Coastal views, photographers, anyone wanting a half-day scenic walk |
Parking: Street parking near letterbox 206 Church Bay Road (just over the narrow road bridge)
Distance: 8 km loop • Time: 2.5 hours
This is the classic Church Bay Circuit, focusing on the coastal peninsula loop.
No parking needed – walk straight off the ferry
Distance: 8.5 km loop • Time: 3 hours
This option lets you walk from the ferry, adding the Matiatia Bay to Church Bay coastal section at the start.
1. The Start Park near the letterboxes at 206 Church Bay Road (just over the narrow bridge). Look for the track sign “Route to Church Bay Esplanade Reserve & Matiatia” on your right.
2. Down to Church Bay Take the track down with sweeping farm and vineyard views. At the cliff edge, turn left along the peninsula and head down to the bay. This descent has gorgeous views.
3. Church Bay Beach Beautiful sheltered beach with an estuary. Good spot for a swim. There’s a small stream to cross to get onto the beach (easy at low tide). You might spot dotterels here – look for the small roped protection area for their nesting site.
4. Climb Up Continue along the cliff edge from the beach, then walk up the hill opposite. The path turns right at a junction with a private gate.
5. Through the Vineyard Walk up the hill on the fenced pathway beside the vineyard. The track then turns right through a bush reserve.
6. To Cable Bay Lovely walk through regenerating bush to Cable Bay Lane. The track emerges just below the road gates at 20 Cable Bay Lane.
7. Cable Bay Section Cross the road and find the track on the right. It continues beside wetlands and out to Cable Bay. At the coast, turn left to follow the track around.
8. Western Peninsula Tip The track weaves up and around the bays to the western tip of the peninsula. This is the best bit – clifftop walking with views back to Auckland City and Rangitoto on your right. Some ups and downs but worth every step.
9. Te Wharau Bay At Te Wharau Bay the track heads inland through a bush reserve back to Church Bay Road.
10. Back to Start There are 2 tracks to choose from at Te Wharau Bay, both return to Church Bay Road:
11. Road Walk Turn right to walk back along Church Bay Road to your starting point (about 500m).
1. From the Ferry Turn right from the ferry terminal and head south toward the car park. Look for green and yellow trailhead signs indicating “Scenic Walking Tracks” to Church Bay.
2. Matiatia Bay South Follow the path to the southern end of Matiatia Bay. Cross the footbridge and follow the track uphill to a lookout on Nick Johnstone Drive.
3. Coastal Track Follow the coastal track past Te Miro Bay. You’ll be walking above the cliffs with great views out to Motuihe and Motutapu islands. The track passes several houses, some with quirky sculptures and carvings.
4. Join Church Bay Circuit When Church Bay comes into view, descend down to Church Bay beach. Cross the small stream (easy at low tide) and you’ve joined the main Church Bay Circuit. Follow steps 4-10 above.
5. Return to Ferry After completing the circuit, instead of turning right on Church Bay Road, continue straight through Alison Park to Oneroa Village. From Oneroa, turn left onto Ocean View Road and follow it back to Matiatia wharf. Or take the Atawhai Whenua Reserve pathway along the wetland edge – prettier route.
Want to extend your walk?
Add the Blackpool Loop: From Church Bay Road, walk up the private driveway with public access and take the loop back to Oneroa via Blackpool. At Blackpool there’s also a loop track through Te Huruhi Reserve. Adds about 30-45 minutes.
Continue to Park Point: From Cable Bay, continue on the Park Point Coastal Walkway for more clifftop walking. You can do the full Park Point Loop (12 km total) or just sections.
Mixed surfaces: Well-formed paths, grassy trails, rocky sections, some short road walking.
Clifftop paths: These can be narrow in places – watch your footing, especially if it’s windy.
Steps and climbs: Several ups and downs. Nothing crazy steep but you’ll know you’ve done some walking.
Can be muddy after rain: Especially the bush sections. The steep climb up from Church Bay can get slippery – watch out for mud.
Fallen trees: Occasionally you might need to step over or around fallen trees in the bush sections.
Best seasons:
Best times of day:
Tide considerations: Low tide is better for crossing the stream at Church Bay beach (though it’s usually fine at any tide).
At Church Bay Road start: None – this is a residential road
At Matiatia Ferry Terminal: Toilets, kiosk, cafe
Along the way:
At Oneroa (if doing ferry option):
Dogs are allowed on leash throughout. Keep them under control, especially on the steep clifftop sections. Bring water for them and poo bags. The beaches can be good for a dog swim (on leash).
Several good swimming spots:
Church Bay: Reflects Waiheke’s mix of Māori heritage and early European settlement. The area has historical sites and was traditionally Māori land.
European Settlement: The western peninsula was farmed by early European settlers. You’ll see evidence of old farm terraces and historic properties.
Conservation: The regenerating bush reserves show the result of local conservation efforts. In the 1990s and 2000s, community groups worked hard to protect and restore these coastal reserves.
Arthur Leigh Titchener Memorial Reserve: Named after a local conservationist who worked to protect Waiheke’s natural areas.
Perfect for:
Not ideal for:
Fitness needed: Moderate. You need to be comfortable with 2.5-3 hours of walking including several decent climbs and descents. Nothing extreme but it’s not a gentle stroll.
Generally safe, but keep these in mind:
Cable Bay Vineyards: Right on the route – restaurant and wine tasting. Beautiful views. Book ahead for restaurant.
Mudbrick Vineyard & Restaurant: A short drive or walk from Church Bay Road. Famous views and food.
If you finish there (ferry option), heaps of cafes and restaurants. Good spots for post-walk lunch or coffee. Also a lovely beach.
If you started from Matiatia, you’ll finish back at the ferry terminal. Easy to catch the next ferry back to Auckland.
Want to explore more of this area?
Park Point Headland Loop – Continues from Cable Bay around the full peninsula (12 km total if you do the whole thing)
Matiatia Owhanake Coastal Loop – Northern coastal route from the ferry
If you enjoyed Church Bay Circuit, check out my other Waiheke walks:
Onetangi Beach to Man O’ War Bay – Epic 14.3 km to the eastern end
Whakanewha Loop – Beautiful bush walk with cascades
Stony Batter Walkway – WWII tunnels and views
Te Toki Reserve Loop – Native bush walk
Park Point Headland Loop – Extends this walk around full peninsula
See all my Waiheke Island walks
By Ferry from Auckland: Fullers360 ferry from downtown Auckland to Waiheke (40 minutes). Regular services. Book ahead on weekends.
From Matiatia Ferry Terminal:
By Bus on Waiheke: Buses run from the ferry terminal toward Oneroa/Blackpool – ask driver about closest stop to Church Bay Road.
By Car on Waiheke: Follow signs to Oneroa, then Church Bay Road. Street parking near the start.
This is one of my favorite Waiheke walks for coastal views. The western peninsula section is spectacular – that clifftop walking with Rangitoto and Auckland City spread out in front of you is hard to beat.
I love that you get so much variety – beaches, cliffs, bush, farmland, vineyards. You’re not just doing one type of scenery for 3 hours. Keeps it interesting.
The best bit is probably the clifftop section between Cable Bay and Te Wharau Bay. Take your time there – the views are worth stopping for.
If you’re short on time, I’d skip the Matiatia start and just do the Church Bay circuit itself. You get the best scenery on the peninsula loop. But if you’re staying on the island without a car, starting from the ferry makes total sense.
Fair warning – those climbs up from the bays will get your heart rate up. Not brutal, but you’ll feel it. And if it’s been raining, that steep bit up from Church Bay can be properly muddy and slippery.
Cable Bay Vineyards is right there if you want to turn this into a longer, more indulgent day. Wine tasting with those views? Yes please.
The regenerating bush sections show how much work local conservation groups have put in. It’s coming back beautifully – you can see the difference native planting makes.
If you only do one coastal walk on Waiheke and don’t want to trek out to the eastern end, this is the one.
Done this walk? I’d love to hear what you thought – did you spot any dotterels? Stop at Cable Bay?
Walk info updated 2025. Note that some sections may be affected by track closures or maintenance – check with Waiheke i-SITE or Auckland Council before heading out.
Want more Waiheke walks? Check out all my Waiheke Island walks
