Walks Around the Island

Onetangi Reserve:

The Onetangi Reserve (or Forest & Bird Reserve) is your dose of wilderness on Waiheke Island. Situated behind the huge Onetangi Beach, a network of walking trails takes you through a mix of kauri, nikau palms and manuka forest. It’s a good spot for bird watching too, even for the North Island kaka parrot. Hikes in the reserve range from 10 minutes to 2 hours one way.

Location: Access along Trig Hill Road or Waiheke Road. (We recommend starting at the entrance on Trig Hill Road and making your way down.

Church Bay Circuit:

This 3-hour loop starts by following the path to the southern end of Matiatia Bay. Cross the footbridge and follow the track uphill to a lookout. You’ll then follow a coastal track on Te Miro Bay and Church Bay. To complete the loop, follow Church Bay Road all the way to Alison Park where you can either access Oneroa Beach or return to Matiatia Bay via Ocean View Road or the Atawhai Whenua Reserve pathway.

Location: Start from Matiatia Bay.

Whakanewha Regional Park:

On the southern side of Waiheke Island, Whakanewha Regional Park is well worth making your way to for its lush coastal forest, cascading streams and sweeping beach. Walks in the park take up to 2 hours and 30 minutes to complete.

Location: Access is via Gordons Road

Little Oneroa Beach Walk:

A short walkway (30 minutes) joins Oneroa Beach and the Newton Reserve. These walks can be made into loop walks via residential streets, making the full loop about 2 hours. This is another good option in Waiheke Island’s main town and within walking distance of the ferry. From Oneroa Beach, walk along the beach at low tide to Little Oneroa Beach. Alternatively, there is a track to get to Little Oneroa Beach on the corner of Puriri and Ocean View Roads. From Little Oneroa Beach, there is a track leading to a lookout at Fisherman’s Rock. To complete the loop, take the track to Newton Road, then Queens Drive to Goodwin Avenue which leads back to Little Oneroa.

Location: Access from Oneroa Beach or Little Oneroa Beach

Hekerua Bay To Palm Beach:

A mix of walking tracks and residential streets provide a great taste to Waiheke Island coastal scenery in around 2 hours. The walk starts from Waters Glen at the end of Queens Drive, which joins a concrete zigzag track to the Hekerua Bay Reserve. Follow the track to Sandy Bay. Then follow Great Barrier Road and turn on Empire Avenue through the McKenzie Reserve. Come out on Coromandel Road, turn left onto Hauraki Road then Cory Road to the Mawhitipana Reserve and along Palm Beach.

Location: Access is via the top of Goodwin Avenue and Queen’s Drive.

Rocky Bay’s Te Whau Loop:

Another awesome walk on Waiheke Island is at Rocky Bay. Start at the Onetangi Sports Park and follow the track on the righthand side of O’Brien Road. Turn right on Magaret Reeve lane which leads down to Okoka (Dead Dog) Bay. Cross the beach then follow the markers uphill onto Vintage Lane. Turn right onto Te Whau Drive and follow the road to the Hitapa Bay walkway leading steeply down to the beach. You’ll now follow a scenic coastal path until you reach Kuakarau Bay. Head back inland on Wairua Road then follow the paths into the Kuakarau Bay Forest Reserve. There are two tracks in the reserve that will take you to either Te Whau Drive or O’Brien Road.

Location: Access via the Onetangi Sports Park.