5-day Waiheke Island walk: Self-guided coastal trail

Walk Waiheke Island at your own pace, with meals and a place to sleep each night

A 5-day self-guided walk around Waiheke Island following the Te Ara Hura coastal trail, with four nights' accommodation, packed lunches, two home-cooked dinners, and transport to and from each day's walk start and finish. Your host Vicki, a Waiheke local and former superyacht chef, provides maps, trail advice and flexible support. You choose how far to walk each day, and she picks you up whenever you're ready to stop.

The experience

The Te Ara Hura trail circles Waiheke Island in a loop, moving through coastal headlands, quiet beaches, native bush and working farmland. Over five days you walk between 13km and 23km per day depending on what suits you. The distance and pace are yours to set. Vicki meets you each morning at your accommodation, drives you to the trailhead, and collects you at the end of the day's walk, wherever that happens to be. If you'd rather take a scenic drive one afternoon or spend a day swimming instead, she arranges that too.

You stay in the same accommodation for all four nights, with a continental breakfast each morning and a packed lunch to carry on the trail. Vicki cooks dinner for you on the first night and again on night two. The other two evenings are yours to explore. The island has wineries, fish and chips spots on the beach, and cafes within reach. Transport to and from the ferry terminal in downtown Auckland is not included, but Fullers360 runs regular services to the island.

A reasonable level of fitness helps, since you're walking daily over four days. The trail itself is the real way to see Waiheke: one step at a time, moving through the island's quieter edges rather than its wine country and galleries. Vicki has walked all over the world but says her happy place is right here, and that shows in how she runs this.

What’s included

• Four nights' accommodation with continental breakfast each morning.
• transport to and from your accommodation and the start and finish of each day's walk.
• personalised maps and trail advice from your host.
• packed lunch each day of the walk.
• home-cooked dinner on your first and second nights.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00 and 10:00

AgesAdult (8 and older) · Under 8: can't be booked

GroupUp to 8 · max 6 per booking

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 3 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by i Walk Waiheke

Is this one for you?The daily walks run 13km to 23km depending on what you choose, so you need a moderate level of fitness and the willingness to walk for several hours each day. If you prefer a fixed itinerary and a guide leading the group, look for a fully guided tour instead. This one is built around your own pace and your own choices about distance and route.

Top questions

What is the Te Ara Hura trail like to walk?

The Te Ara Hura trail circles Waiheke Island and passes through coastal headlands, quiet beaches, native bush and working farmland. Daily distances range from 13km to 23km depending on your choice, and the pace is flexible. You stop when you're ready and Vicki picks you up from wherever you are on the trail.

How does the self-guided format work day to day?

Each morning Vicki drives you from your accommodation to the trailhead. You walk the trail at your own pace with maps and trail advice she provides. At the end of the day, you call or signal when you're ready to stop, and she collects you and drives you back to your accommodation for dinner and the night.

What meals are included over the five days?

You get a continental breakfast each morning at your accommodation, a packed lunch to carry on the trail each day, and home-cooked dinners on your first and second nights. On nights three and four, you choose your own dinner: options include wineries, beachside fish and chips, or cafes around the island.

Do I need to be very fit to do this walk?

A reasonable level of fitness helps since you're walking daily over four days. The daily distances range from 13km to 23km, but the pace and how far you walk each day are entirely flexible. You set the distance and Vicki picks you up whenever you're ready to stop.

How do I get to Waiheke Island from Auckland?

The ferry from downtown Auckland to Waiheke is not included in this walk. Fullers360 runs regular ferry services to the island. You book your own tickets online at Fullers360. Transport to and from your accommodation and each day's walk start and finish is included.