Waiheke Island Private Double Headland Walk: Twin Coastal Routes

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Duration5h

GroupPrivate

LanguagesEN

Mobile ticketAccepted

Guided Double Headland Walk on Waiheke: Coastal Trails & Local Lunch

A private guided walk on Waiheke Island covering the Matiatia and Church Bay headlands, with an expert local guide, lunch at Oneroa Village, and return transfers from the ferry terminal. The route splits into two parts—a northern walk around Matiatia past Owhanake Bay, and a southern walk through Pio Rehutai Reserve and a sculpture park—each roughly two hours, with the order determined by tidal conditions. Groups stay under twelve people.

Step-by-step itinerary

Walk Waiheke Island headlands with guide

Meet guide at ferry terminal
Walk northern route around Matiatia headland
Stop for lunch at Oneroa Village
Walk southern route through Pio Rehutai Reserve
Return to ferry terminal

The Experience

You step off the ferry and your guide meets you at the terminal. From there, the walk begins straight away into the coastal landscape. Which headland comes first depends on the tide—sometimes the northern route around Matiatia happens in the morning, sometimes the southern loop through Church Bay. That flexibility is what keeps both walks possible in a single day without fighting the water.

The northern route takes you around the Matiatia headland and past Owhanake Bay, with views across the Hauraki Gulf toward Great Barrier Island and the Coromandel Peninsula. You'll walk through native plants and watch for sea birds; orcas and dolphins show up sometimes. The southern route runs through Pio Rehutai Reserve and around Church Bay, passing through a sculpture park and a bush reserve, with hidden coves and views back toward the city and sea. Both routes cover hilly terrain and take roughly two hours each. Lunch happens in between at Oneroa Village—you can eat in one of the local cafes or bring food and picnic on the beach.

The walk is five hours total, including lunch and the time between routes. Your guide carries walking maps and provides interpretation of what you're seeing. Return transfers to the ferry terminal (or your island accommodation if you're staying) are included, so you don't arrange transport separately. The walk operates in all weather; bring walking shoes, water, a raincoat, sunglasses, hat and sunscreen. Children from age 8 are welcome, and service animals are allowed.

What’s included

Lunch at Oneroa Village.
return transfers to the ferry terminal or your island accommodation.
walking maps.
expert local guide and interpretation throughout the walk.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Terra & Tide

Is this one for you?Book this if you're arriving by ferry and want both headlands covered in one outing—your guide times the route around tides, so you walk whichever headland works that day rather than committing to a fixed itinerary.