Waiheke Island

Question

Where is Waiheke and how do I get there?

Answer

Waiheke is a small island located in the Hauraki Gulf of New Zealand, just a short 40 minute ferry ride from downtown Auckland. It's known for its stunning beaches, wineries, and laid-back vibe! The easiest way to get to Waiheke Island from Auckland is by taking the ferry from downtown Auckland with Fullers360. There is also a car ferry that operates from Half Moon Bay with Sealink. Both offer frequent services to the island throughout the day. It's a good idea to book your ferry tickets in advance online for best price, and especially if you're running late. Try to get to the ferry terminal at least 40 minutes before sailing when traveling during peak season. Fullers360 ferry lands in Matiatia Bay, which is a short 5 minute drive or a 40 minute walk uphill from there to Mudbrick. Sealink ferries dock at Kennedy Point which is 6.5km from Mudbrick. There are also public buses which can take you to Oneroa village- from there it's about a 20-25 minute walk uphill to Mudbrick. Make sure to have cash or an AT Hop card for the bus. The following taxis can also take you to Mudbrick once on the Island. Call ahead to secure and they will be there waiting for you when you get off the ferry! WaiCabs ­ 0800924222 Easy Transport - 0226126760 Waiheke Five-O ­ 0275050510 Waiheke Executive Transport ­ 0800 372 200 info@waiheketransport.co.nz Island Shuttles ­ 0800 575 555

Question

Do I have to stay the night on Waiheke or can I travel back to Auckland the night of the wedding?

Answer

We would recommend getting on 'Island Time' and making the most of your trip to Waiheke by staying the night. However, if you would like to travel back to Auckland the night of the wedding the last Fullers ferry is at 11pm, although you may miss some dancing!

Question

Where can I stay on Waiheke?

Answer

There are lots of places to stay on Waiheke. It's good to know that Waiheke is a popular place to holiday, even for Aucklanders and other Kiwi's so we recommend booking your accommodation well in advance if possible. If you would like a quick trip home after all the dancing, we recommend staying as close to Mudbrick as possible for the night of the wedding. Church Bay, Oneroa, Matiaia and Palm beach are all good areas to choose. We recommend looking at Air Bnb, Bookabach or Booking.com for a full list of accommodation options. The below list has some suggestions provided by the venue which may be a good starting point: 125 Church Bay Cabins - www.125churchbaycabins.com Cable Bay Views - www.cablebayviews.co.nz La Bodega - www.labodega.co.nz Matiatia Bay - www.matiatiabay.co.nz The Moorings - www.themoorings.gen.nz View 43 & City Lights - www.waihekedreams.co.nz Watermark Studios - www.watermarkwaiheke.com Punga Lodge - www.pungalodge.co.nz

Question

'I'm thinking of spending a couple of nights on Waiheke, what else is there to do there?'

Answer

Lots! Firstly Waiheke is all about the wine, with over 30 wineries on the island there are plenty of cellar doors and restaurants to explore within these vineyards. Some of our favourites (other than Mudbrick) are Casito Miro, Stoneyridge, Tantalus Estate, Cable Bay and the Batch. If we are blessed with the weather there are also some really lovely beaches such as Palm Beach, Oneroa and Onetangi which you can happily pass a day on. For the more adventurous, there are several walking tracks on Waiheke, ranging from easy strolls to more challenging hikes and you can even go zip-lining across the island with Ecozip Adventures!