Waiheke Walking Festival

Waiheke Walking Festival The Waiheke Walking Festival is an annual event. Subscribe to our newsletter to learn more about this year's programme.

Run over two weekends and the week-days in between, the festival programme is full of guided walks on beautiful Waiheke Island.

26/03/2026

The sun’s coming out for weekend 2 of our 2026 festival. ☀️ If you’re walking with us, make sure you book your ferry early with as morning sailings are selling fast. Here’s a quick recap of our incredible walks so far. From beach strolls to twilight discos, Waiheke Walking festival has it all.

We look forward to seeing you on the trails. Happy walking 🥾

Thanks again to Dark Sky Waiheke for going the extra mile and putting on not one, but two incredible events for us ✨This...
24/03/2026

Thanks again to Dark Sky Waiheke for going the extra mile and putting on not one, but two incredible events for us ✨

This time, we enjoyed a relaxed walk along Onetangi Beach, listening to the inspiring Nalayini Brito, President of Dark Sky International, alongside Gareth, who shared their infinite wisdom and passion for preserving our dark night skies.

With the new moon setting in the west, we were treated to a stunning display of stars, the Milky Way, and constellations—an unforgettable reminder of the beauty above us.

A big thank you as well to our friends at Auckland Astronomical Society, Astronz, and to Niven, Kim, and Mary (our amazing multi-tasker for Dark Sky and Walking Festival volunteer—love your work!).

The weather and conditions were simply spectacular, making the night even more magical. An experience we’ll all remember 🌌

📸Maria Heer & Kim Wesney 😍

The Sculpture Walk💚No surprise this one sold out in a flash! 👣🎟️A huge thank you to Fiona Blanchard (Director Waiheke Co...
24/03/2026

The Sculpture Walk💚

No surprise this one sold out in a flash! 👣🎟️

A huge thank you to Fiona Blanchard (Director Waiheke Community Art Gallery/Te Whare Taonga O Waiheke and Sculpture on the Gulf) for expertly guiding us through some of Oneroa’s finest outdoor art, the perfect mix of fresh air, creativity, and great company 🎨🌿

And of course, we wrapped things up the best way we know how… back at the Art Gallery with a well-earned glass of Postage Stamp wine in hand 🍷😉

Now that’s how you do the Waiheke Walking Festival!

We joyfully tackled the Awaawaroa Coastal Magic walk on Sunday before rewarding ourselves with a long, delectable leisur...
24/03/2026

We joyfully tackled the Awaawaroa Coastal Magic walk on Sunday before rewarding ourselves with a long, delectable leisurely lunch at Poderi Crisci 🍷✨We were joined by old friends (welcome back 💚), new friends, and had plenty of laughs along the way 👣😄

A truly fabulous day out, thoroughly enjoyed by all — but we’ll let the magnificent photos tell the rest of the story 📸

We absolutely loved our Stony Batter Heritage Walk!From exploring fascinating underground tunnels to taking in the rugge...
22/03/2026

We absolutely loved our Stony Batter Heritage Walk!

From exploring fascinating underground tunnels to taking in the rugged beauty above ground, this walk had it all. Wandering through incredible 8-million-year-old boulder fields and stepping back in time through the impressive Waiheke war tunnels. This walk had EVERYTHING 😍

The biggest thank you ever to Tim Moon for arranging and hosting so perfectly — for your knowledge and passion, we appreciate you. Special thanks also to our pretty special volunteers Don and Anna for your pre-walk recce and fabulousness.



📸Thank you Sophia Hoadley 😃

A huge thank you to Dark Sky, Astronz, and the Auckland Astronomical Society for an unforgettable Walking Festival eveni...
22/03/2026

A huge thank you to Dark Sky, Astronz, and the Auckland Astronomical Society for an unforgettable Walking Festival evening ✨

We were treated to a beautifully clear, starlit sky — perfect conditions to take in the magic of the Milky Way. Magical in every way! 🌌

Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make the night so special, and a special shoutout to our amazing volunteers for bringing it all together!

What a day out - Oyster Inn Coastal Vistas walk! 🌿🌊We wandered through breathtaking panoramic coastal vistas and lush na...
21/03/2026

What a day out - Oyster Inn Coastal Vistas walk! 🌿🌊

We wandered through breathtaking panoramic coastal vistas and lush native bush (with just a tiny pause for a little retail therapy 😉), soaking up the very best of Waiheke along the way.

And then… the grand finale 🦪🥂
A huge thank you to our amazing sponsor, , for absolutely spoiling us with what might just be the world’s best lunch — fresh oysters, bubbles, and all the good vibes to match!

Full bellies, happy feet, and big smiles all round 💛

Thanks so much to Rachel, 💚We grooved… but made it silent 🎧✨The Silent Disco at stunning Palm Beach brought unreal view...
21/03/2026

Thanks so much to Rachel, 💚

We grooved… but made it silent 🎧✨

The Silent Disco at stunning Palm Beach brought unreal views, good vibes, and a dance floor that was whatever you made it 💃🕺

Headphones on and plenty of barefoot boogying in the sand as the sun went down 🌅 Good tunes. Great people. One seriously beautiful beach.

If you were there — you know 😉

What a way to kick things off! 🎉Our first walk on the Te Whau Coastal Loop was an absolute winner—big thanks to Ian for ...
20/03/2026

What a way to kick things off! 🎉

Our first walk on the Te Whau Coastal Loop was an absolute winner—big thanks to Ian for the top-notch guiding. Plenty of laughs, happy legs, and smiles all round!

And honestly… the weather and views (and maybe the odd dotterel)? Showing off in the best possible way. ☀️🌊🌿

The 2026 Waiheke Walking Festival starts March 20th and we cannot wait to hit the trails with you. 🥾Before you lace up, ...
19/03/2026

The 2026 Waiheke Walking Festival starts March 20th and we cannot wait to hit the trails with you. 🥾

Before you lace up, here's your quick pre-walk checklist:

🎒 What to Pack: Water, water, and more water (seriously, there's none on the walkways), hat, sunscreen, snacks, sturdy walking shoes with decent grip, rain gear just in case (check the forecast before you head over), and any personal medication you might need (we only carry basic first aid).

💧 Drinking Water: You can top up at the fountain on Matiatia Wharf or at Onetangi Sports Park by the playing fields.

🍽️ Oneroa and Ostend both have supermarkets and pharmacies for stocking up. Cafes are scattered across Oneroa, Surfdale, Palm Beach, Ostend, Rocky Bay and Onetangi, but there's nothing east of Onetangi, so plan ahead.

⚠️ Take Care on the Tracks: There are plenty of steep and clifftop sections on Te Ara Hura, so good footwear is a must. Take your time on exposed parts and watch your footing.

🐕 Dogs: Keep them under control on all walkways and pick up after them. Some areas don't allow dogs at all, including parts of Whakanewha Regional Park and the stretch between Trig Hill Road and Orapiu Road on Te Ara Hura. Check before you go.

📱 Cellphone Coverage: Most hilltops and headlands have signal, but the more remote spots can drop out. Plan for a little offline time, it's part of the charm.

📣 Please Note: The Waiheke Walking Festival is a non-smoking event with a sun-smart and zero-waste policy. Please take all rubbish with you. Only ticketed walkers can join the walks.

Save this post and you're good to go, see you on the trails! 🥾

You've got your walks sorted, but have you booked your ride over? 🚢 The easiest way to get to Waiheke is with . Jump on ...
19/03/2026

You've got your walks sorted, but have you booked your ride over? 🚢

The easiest way to get to Waiheke is with . Jump on the passenger ferry from Auckland's downtown terminal. It's a beautiful 35-minute trip across the Hauraki Gulf to Matiatia Bay. And the best bit? Your furry walking buddy travels free 🐾

Bringing a car? runs vehicle ferries from Half Moon Bay (about an hour) with seasonal departures from Wynyard Quarter too. All car ferries arrive at Kennedy Point on Waiheke.

Our tip: book your sailings early, especially if you're walking on a Saturday. Morning ferries go quick.
See you on the boat! ⛴️

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