Waiheke Island, Island destination in Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand.
Waiheke Island is an island in Hauraki Gulf near Auckland, New Zealand, known for vineyards, sandy beaches and wooded hills. The coastline alternates between sheltered bays and steep rock faces, while inland olive groves and small villages sit among the vine-covered slopes.
Māori communities lived here long before European settlers arrived in the nineteenth century, using the coastal waters for fishing. In recent decades the island shifted from a rural retreat to a wine-growing region with international recognition.
The name comes from the Māori language and means cascading waters, referring to the streams that run down to the shore. Visitors today notice the active art scene in small galleries and workshops, where makers and artists display their work and often speak directly with guests.
Ferries depart several times daily from central Auckland and reach the island in about forty minutes across Hauraki Gulf. Visitors planning to explore the wineries can rent bicycles on the island or use local shuttle services to move between locations.
More than thirty wineries spread across the hills produce wines in a climate shaped by the surrounding sea. Many cellars offer outdoor tastings with direct views of the water and neighboring islands.
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