Waiheke Island Walks: 7 Best Hiking Trails & Coastal Tracks

Some of New Zealand’s best coastal walking is right here. Unspoiled beaches, native bush, vineyard views, and heaps of tracks to explore. Great for a day trip or stay longer if you can.

Some of New Zealand’s best coastal walking and hiking is right here. Unspoiled beaches, native bush, vineyard views, and heaps of tracks to explore. Great for a day trip or stay longer if you can.

I’ve personally walked every trail on this page and created detailed guides with exact routes, distances, and all the practical stuff you need. From easy beach strolls to challenging coastal hikes, here are the 7 best walks on Waiheke Island.

Quick Guide: Choosing Your Waiheke Walk

Can You Walk Around Waiheke Island? Yes! The Te Ara Hura trail network covers 100 km around the island. You can walk the whole thing over multiple days, or pick individual sections like the walks below. Most walking tracks on Waiheke are free, well-maintained, and don’t require permits.

• Best Short Walks (1-2 hours): Matiatia Owhanake Coastal Loop, Church Bay Circuit
• Best Long Walks (3-4+ hours): Onetangi to Man O’ War Bay, Whakanewha Loop
• Best Without a Car: Matiatia Owhanake (starts at ferry terminal)
• Best for Views: Church Bay Circuit, Onetangi to Man O’ War Bay
• Best for Bush/Nature: Whakanewha Loop, Te Toki Reserve

Waiheke Walking Map

What makes it special? You can walk through native bush in the morning, have lunch at a vineyard, then swim at a gorgeous beach in the afternoon. The views across the Hauraki Gulf are stunning, and everything feels relaxed and unhurried.

When to go: Anytime works, but summer (Dec-Feb) is brilliant for beach walks and swimming. Spring and autumn have great temps with fewer people. The Pohutukawa trees go crazy with red flowers in December-January.

Getting there: Catch the ferry from downtown Auckland to Matiatia Ferry Terminal on Waiheke – takes about 40 minutes. Fullers360 runs regular trips. Book ahead on weekends and busy times or book the ferry and hop on hop off bus to make your life easer:

Book your ferry and Explorer Bus tickets:

The 7 Best Walks on Waiheke Island

I’ve walked some of these tracks myself. You’ll get full details with my photos, interesting stuff along the way, what the track’s actually like, how much climbing there is, and my honest thoughts.

Onetangi Beach to Man O’ War Bay

14.3 km one-way • 3-4 hours • Moderate

This is the big one on Waiheke – an awesome walk to the island’s remote eastern end. You’ll get big skies, amazing ocean views, rolling vineyard country, and the famous “bottom end” gravel road. The whole thing follows public routes (no private land to worry about) as part of the Te Ara Hura trail. You start with beach walking and a climb through beautiful Pohutukawa Reserve, then head along scenic farm roads with killer views across the Hauraki Gulf.

What you’ll see: Red Te Ara Hura trail markers showing you the way, a few vineyards including Awaawaroa Organic, and you finish at stunning Man O’ War Bay with its beachfront winery and restaurant. It’s one-way so you’ll need to sort out how you’re getting back (there’s a seasonal bus or you can use two cars).

Good for: Walking clubs, anyone who’s done a fair bit of hiking, or if you want to see the real Waiheke away from the tourist crowds.

Read my full Onetangi to Man O’ War Bay walk guide →

Stony Batter Walkway

Distance varies • Easy to Moderate

This WWII fortress on Waiheke’s eastern tip is really cool. You can walk through 1.2 km of tunnels and underground rooms that were dug by hand in 1942 to protect Auckland. The place has these amazing 8-million-year-old volcanic boulders (that’s where the name comes from), plus you get epic views across the Hauraki Gulf to Great Barrier Island and the Coromandel.

What you’ll see: WWII tunnels you can walk through, incredible old rock formations, info boards about the history, and beautiful coastal views.

Combine it with: The Man O’ War Bay walk if you want a full day exploring the eastern end.

Read my full Stony Batter Walkway guide →

Church Bay Circuit

One of Waiheke’s prettiest bays with a lovely coastal walk around it. Beautiful scenery and you’ll see some seriously flash waterfront properties. Church Bay is sheltered and perfect for a swim, and the track around it gives you great spots to take in the Hauraki Gulf views.

What you’ll see: Gorgeous coastal views, impressive houses, a safe swimming spot, and pretty easy walking.

Good for: Families, casual walks, or if you only have a few hours on the island.

Read my full Church Bay Circuit guide →

Te Toki Reserve Loop

This is a hidden gem in the native bush. Te Toki Reserve is a peaceful spot with regenerating forest and good loop tracks that most people can handle. You get a totally different side of Waiheke here – all about the forest instead of beaches.

What you’ll see: Beautiful native bush, tūī and fantails flying around, peaceful forest, and the tracks are well looked after.

Good for: Nature lovers, birdwatchers, or when you need some shade on a hot day.

Read my full Te Toki Reserve Loop guide →

Park Point Headland Loop

Dramatic clifftop views and interesting rocks on this coastal headland walk. Park Point has some great photo spots and it’s really beautiful at sunset. The loop means you come back to where you started without walking the same way twice.

What you’ll see: Dramatic coastal views, cool geology, proper loop track, and amazing sunsets.

Good for: Photographers, sunset lovers, or a medium-length coastal walk.

Read my full Park Point Headland Loop guide →

Matiatia Owhanake Coastal Loop

This one starts right at the ferry terminal, so you can walk straight off the boat. The track takes you along the coast to Owhanake Bay with beautiful views. It’s a great intro to Waiheke walking and you don’t need any transport beyond the ferry.

What you’ll see: Nice coastal scenery right from the ferry, it’s a loop so you end where you started, and zero extra transport needed.

Good for: First-timers on Waiheke, if you don’t have a car, or a quick half-day walk.

Read my full Matiatia Owhanake Coastal Loop guide →

Whakanewha Loop

Hidden gem on Waiheke’s southern coast. This beautiful loop takes you through regenerating native forest with giant tree ferns and nikau palms, past the stunning Cascades waterfalls and swimming holes, and along peaceful beaches. One of the best bush walks on the island and way quieter than the famous northern spots. The park was saved from developers in the 1990s by local activists and the restoration work is impressive.

What you’ll see: Proper native bush, cascade waterfalls, rare NZ dotterels, tūī and kererū, sheltered beaches, pā sites and kumara pits from Māori history.

Good for: Bush lovers, bird-watchers, anyone wanting peace and quiet away from tourists. Note: dogs NOT allowed on main loop (dotterel protection).

Read my full Whakanewha Loop guide →

Waiheke Island Walking Tips

Te Ara Hura Trail Network: All these walks are part of this 100 km trail system that goes nearly all the way around the island. You can walk bits and pieces or go hardcore with multi-day walks. Grab maps from Auckland Council or Tourism Waiheke websites.

Waiheke i-SITE: Your best bet for checking if tracks are open, getting transport info, and local tips. Check out waiheke.co.nz

Wineries: The island has over 30 wineries and you can easily combine walking with wine tasting. Popular ones are Cable Bay, Mudbrick, Man O’ War, Te Motu, and Casita Miro. Most have food too.

Art Scene: Have a look at the NZ Herald’s art walk guide if you’re into art and want to see Waiheke’s galleries while you walk.

Getting Around & Practical Stuff

Transport on the Island:

• Waiheke Bus: Four routes from the ferry to Oneroa, Blackpool, Surfdale, Palm Beach, Ostend, Rocky Bay, Onetangi, and Kennedy Point. No booking needed.
• Eastern Explorer Bus: Goes to Man O’ War and Stony Batter (Wed-Sun only in season). Book ahead – limited seats.
• Taxis: Available but not cheap. Book ahead on weekends.
• Rental Cars: Handy for remote walks but book early – they run out.
• Bring Your Car: You can take it on the ferry from Auckland (about $300 return).

Where to Eat:

• Onetangi: Charlie Farley’s, Three Seven Two, Ki Māha
• Man O’ War Bay: Man O’ War winery restaurant (opens 11am)
• Wineries: Most do food – book ahead
• Oneroa Village: Heaps of cafes and restaurants near the ferry

Stay Safe:

• Take heaps of water – some walks are hours from anywhere
• Sunscreen is essential – lots of exposed walking
• Your phone might not work well on the eastern end
• Check the weather – coastal bits get really windy
• Tell someone where you’re going, especially the longer walks
• Proper shoes – gravel roads need good grip

Weather:

• Summer gets hot on exposed walks – start early
• Northerly winds can howl on the northern beaches
• Gravel roads get slippery when wet
• Usually drier than Auckland