Exploring Waiheke Island

During a visit to Auckland, the Lifestyle team recently had the pleasure of exploring Waiheke Island and all the treasures it has to offer.

Located in the heart of Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf, Waiheke Island is a picturesque blend of farmland, forest, beaches, vineyards and olive groves. Waiheke is just a 35-minute ferry ride from downtown Auckland, and has a well deserved international reputation for food and arts.

Wineries
Our day trip to Waiheke Island included a visit to only four of the many fantastic wineries the Island has to offer.   

Batch Winery
Batch Winery is the newest winery on Waiheke Island, located at the island’s highest vineyard provides amazing views to the gulf islands and back to Auckland. The Family-owned Batch Winery produces wines which are crafted in small lots with vines that have been growing for twenty years Batch Winery produces estate wines under Batch and reserve wines under Thomas & Sons including Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay and Flora.

You know that you in a special place when you arrive on a day the Cellar door is not open and they welcome you in for a tasting.  The

Mudbrick Vineyard & Cellar Door
The first plantings at Mudbrick were in 1992 by Nick and Robyn James, who still own and operate the property today.   Tastings will have your take in the current plantings of cabernet sauvignon, merlot, cabernet franc, syrah chardonnay and viognier.  Tastings are available seven days, all year and you then have the option as we did to then enjoy the wines over lunch in the Mudbrick Restaurant.

The Mudbrick Winery restaurant has a wonderful ambience, with award winning chefs delivering an internationally acclaimed menu with the best NZ ingredients and the most breathtaking views.

Te Motu Vineyard
This privately owned Onetangi Valley vineyard produces Bordeaux-style blends under the Te Motu and Dunleavy labels.  The wineries story began in 1988 when the Dunleavy family procured 30 acres of prime “vineyard valley” and nourished into a haven of premier wine.  A visit to this picturesque cellar door We opted for the Te Motu Heritage flight tasting charged at $15 per person, you taste three to four  wines from the flagship range (which is deducted from any wine purchase).   We tasted the Te Motu range of reds which are full bodied wines with great personality.

With your wine tasting completed, enjoy a relaxed dining experience in this rural setting in the wine shed.  The Winner of ‘Best Rural Restaurant 2014’ produces a modern menu with honest, gutsy and healthy cuisine.

Cable Bay
The Cable Bay winery was developed in 1996 by a small group of wine lovers who are passionate about New Zealand and its wines. Their goal is to produce a select range of high quality wines from grapes grown on Waiheke Island and in Central Otago and Marlborough. These varieties include Sauvignon Blanc, Gewürztraminer, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Viognier, Syrah, Pinot Noir and a Bordeaux-style blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Malbec.

Located up on the hill, facing west over sweeping vineyards and the sea, with the Sky Tower and the rest of the city in the distance, is the Cable Bay Winery Restaurant. This is become one of Waiheke’s best treat places to visit, sample wines, soak up the paintings and sculpture by many of New Zealand’s best and take in the best of local produce. Dine a al carte in the restaurant or enjoy a more relaxed experience in The Wine Bar which serves small plates matched with Cable Bay and other fine wines.

Our next visit to Waiheke Island will include a helicopter directly to Cable Bay Winery Restaurant for wine tasting and lunch.  If you would like to really relax and enjoy the afternoon, stay at Cable Bay Views located right next to the winery.  Choose from 3 beautiful self contained luxury apartments or and stunning 2 bedroom house with ensuite, large kitchen and huge deck with sea views to Auckland City, all positioned overlooking Cable Bay Vineyard.

Luxury Accommodation on Waiheke

The Boatshed 
Chic luxury accommodation, located above the sun-drenched bay and white sandy beaches of Oneroa, this small luxury hotel offers a casual elegance. Offering guests 5 designer guest suites and 2 bungalows, each totally private with panoramic ocean views.  The Hotel is a short stroll to Waiheke’s village filled with cafes, art galleries and gift stores for you to explore.  Enjoy a fine dining experience  in the exclusive in house restaurant with a relaxed al fresco style setting and fresh organic produce, some of which is grown in the gardens of the Hotel.

Luxurious spa treatments are available for in house guests only and in the privacy of your own suite.

The Hotel is closed for annual maintenance from 16th June – 6th August.

Delamore Lodge
Delamore Lodge is a 5-star luxury accommodation located on the clifftop above Owhaneke Bay, Waiheke Island. Offering ultimate in luxury with four suites and one, two-bedroom apartment — all north facing — designed to maximise the magical views of the ever-changing Hauraki Gulf of New Zealand. This piece of paradise is just 30 minutes by ferry or a 5 minute helicopter hop.

If it’s five star luxury and decadence you’re after then you won’t find a better place. With its four opulent guest suites and a stunning two bedroomed apartment, Delamore lodge offers guests a truly memorable stay at one of the best hotels on the island. This hotel is the epitome of understated elegance and there are simply amazing views of the bay from every turn. The suites themselves are open and airy  and are designed specially to maximise the truly stunning vistas of the bay itself..

The lodge offers a spacious guest lounge, central courtyard with a sweeping stairway linking the tropical rock pool and waterfall, a deep, cave-like Jacuzzi, a sauna, well-being centre and a wine cellar stocked with the very best selection from 30 local vineyards and New Zealand’s regional best.

The courtyard then cascades into the striking, Italian-style fireplace and outdoor dining area. Delamore’s infinity swimming pool leading to a superb all-weather pavilion with cliff top 180-degree South Pacific views. Delamore Lodge’s executive chef prides himself on producing memorable dishes, taking inspiration from fresh local ingredients and traditional flavours.

Hei Matau Lodge – Boutique luxury lodge on Waiheke

Set on the shores of a secluded Waiheke beach, this seaside lodge, on 71/2 acre is only five minutes drive from the main village, Oneroa. The luxury accommodation includes three sea-facing lodge rooms with large panoramic windows.  Each room has a ‘Four Seasons’ feel, with the fixtures and fittings of an exceptionally high standard.  The lodge amenities for you to enjoy include an infinity pool, play a game of petanque or set back and soak in the spa.

The lodge boasts and array of luxurious features, from the outside pizza oven to the European-designed stainless steel kitchen for guests to delight in cooking during their stay or if the hosted experience is more your style, request to have the owners Fiona and Peter take care of all your meals.

Exclusive Use of Main House

The exclusive use of the main house will give you all the space of the two storey luxury holiday home, with the deluxe Master bedroom, full kitchen and dining area which seats up to 12 people.

The main house also features a separate guest wing, with six contemporary bunk-style beds which connect to their own lounge room and spacious bathroom.  When you stay at Hei Matau’s Main house, you’ll have the entire property all to yourself.

Exclusive Use of Main House and 3 Lodge Rooms

Another possibility is to go with friends or family and take exclusive use of both the main house and the three lodge rooms.  This will comfortably accommodate 14 people using the lodge rooms, bunk-bed suite and the Master suite.  The pool, spa and vast grounds become the exclusive playground of your beachfront hideaway.