Taking the kids to Waiheke Island for the day? Our family-friendly itinerary covers the ferry, beaches and playgrounds, and a lunch stop with a giant jumping pillow, Tonka trucks and a kids' menu.
Travelling with children to Waiheke means you're always looking for things to do with kids. The good news is that Waiheke is a surprisingly easy island for families. It's a short ferry ride from Auckland (about 40 minutes), and the beaches, playgrounds and wide open spaces are all close together.
Between us, the two families behind The Heke have 8 children, so we've road-tested this day many times. Here's the plan we'd follow.
Morning: the ferry is half the fun
For many kids, the boat ride is an adventure in itself. Catch a morning sailing so you have plenty of time. There are two ferry companies from downtown Auckland. You can pre-book the ferry with Island Direct service from downtown Auckland which means you are guaranteed a seat. Fullers Ferry is the downtown ‘walk-up’ option, and the 10 am ferry is usually the busiest, and on weekends and holidays we always recommend catching the earliest ferry you can manage - lining up with kids is no fun! For more check our guide to getting to Waiheke for ferry options and tips on saving money.
When you arrive at Matiatia Wharf you can catch a bus, hop on the Fullers Hop on Hop off bus, or hire a taxi. The local buses are electric, frequent and cheap, and they connect the ferry with all the main beaches and shops.
Morning: beach and playground time
If you arrive early, you can get breakfast and have a wander in Oneroa Village. Or head to the beach! Oneroa Beach is just a 3 minute walk from the village. Most of Waiheke's beaches have toilets and playgrounds, and many have free BBQs. The best playgrounds are at Little Oneroa Beach and Palm Beach. Both are great for letting little legs run off the ferry wiggles.
Waiheke's beaches are known for clean water and gentle swimming, so pack swimmers and towels. As at any beach, keep a close eye on little ones in the water.
If your kids love a bit of nature, Whakanewha Regional Park has waterfalls, native bush and a peaceful beach under big pohutukawa trees. This option is best if you have rented or brought your own car.
Lunch: the best place for kids on Waiheke
We built The Heke so families could relax, because when the kids are happy, everyone is. It's at 64 Onetangi Road, opposite the golf course, and we have:
Waiheke's only giant inflatable jumping pillow
A fleet of Tonka trucks to play with in our sandpit, plus a ‘sand river’ around the jumping pillow
A mud kitchen with pretend kai (food), pots and pans
Stormy, our life-size horse, with a proper saddle and bridle
Lawn games, and gardens to explore
A great-value kids' menu, finishing with an icy treat.
Highchairs, a changing station in the bathroom, and nappy bags provided
Meanwhile, grown-ups can enjoy food cooked on our wood oven and wood-fired grill (with plenty of vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options), a Waiheke Brewing Co craft beer, a glass of wine, or a whisky or gin tasting. There's no washing up, and you can catch up with friends in the garden while the kids play.
To make it easy, you can buy a Hop on Hop off package that includes lunch with us. The bus stops right outside our gate.
Book ahead: we always do our best to accommodate walk-ins but we get very busy in holiday periods, and Saturdays. We recommend that you book online at theheke.co.nz/book-now or call us on 09 372 0020 .
Afternoon: pick an adventure
After lunch, choose what suits your crew:
Onetangi Beach: the longest beach on the island, with 1.87 km of sand to run along. It's an easy walk or short ride from The Heke.
Stony Batter Tunnels: older kids love exploring the historic tunnels, and the views from the top are spectacular.
Ziplining with EcoZip: for older kids and teens, it's close to us and they offer a ferry pick-up service and can drop you at The Heke for lunch afterwards. Check their age and size requirements before you go.
Horse riding: Waiheke Equestrian runs rides along tracks and beaches.
Kayaks and paddleboards: hire from Kayak Waiheke, Waiheke Adventure Centre or WhatSup Waiheke.
Ice Cream! There are several options for gelato and ice cream in Oneroa Village on your way back to the ferry.
If it rains
The Waiheke Cinema, tucked into the Artworks courtyard, is run by local volunteers and shows the latest movies. It has comfy couches and Kapiti ice creams. It's a good plan B for a cloudy afternoon.
Getting around with kids
You don't need a car. Buses take a debit or credit card or an AT HOP card (fares are about $3 per adult, and Gold Card holders travel free), and the Hop on Hop off bus lets you jump on and off at your own pace. Check its timetable though, as it doesn't run every day in winter. If you bring a car, we have a big car park. Taxis are available, but there's no Uber on the island.
Tips for a happy day
On peak days, get the earliest ferry you can manage to avoid the crowds. Check return ferry times before lunch, and allow a buffer for tired little ones.
Alternatively, with older kids consider coming over on the 1 pm ferry and go back on the 7 or 8 pm.
Pack swimmers, towels, sunscreen and hats.
Book lunch ahead on weekends and in school holidays.
FAQs
Is Waiheke good for kids? Yes. There are playgrounds, easy beaches, regional park walks and plenty of family-friendly places to eat.
Do we need a car with children? No. The buses are frequent and electric, and the Hop on Hop off bus stops at The Heke.
What's there to do if we're not into wine? Plenty. See our guide to things to do on Waiheke if you don't like wine.
Come and play
The easiest answer to "what do we do with the kids on Waiheke?" is to come and have lunch at The Heke. Book at theheke.co.nz/book-now or call 09 372 0020. We can't wait to meet your family.