Location

Just 35 minutes from Auckland by ferry, Waiheke Island in the Hauraki Gulf boasts a beautiful 100 km coastline. It is 26 km in length and 19 km in width at its widest point. Around 40km of pristine swimming beaches link along numerous bays. Waiheke is also home to 25 boutique vineyards and a number of quality cafes / restaurants. Waiheke Island is affectionately known in the Auckland region as the "Island Of Wine" - an essential stopover for visitors.

Activities

As well as hosting many popular festivals and events, Waiheke Island offers a vast range of activities: wine, art and explorer tours; bush walks; golfing; horse riding; biking; tennis; swimming or just lazing on white sandy beaches; fishing; kayaking; sailing or windsurfing. At Stony Batter, there's a mazeof tunnels to explore, built for concrete gun emplacements during World War II. A wine trail will start at Isola Estate making its way through several vineyards, connecting to the beautiful white sand of Onetangi Beach, to finish back at Isola Estate. Guests can walk among the valleys at their own pace and enjoy great food and wine.

Transport

Waiheke Island is accessible by ferry, plane or helicopter. Most travellers take the Fullers Ferry (visit www.fullers.co.nz ) which offers a regular service from downtown Auckland or Half Moon Bay with 20 trips daily. Isola Estate will be operating a courtesy coach for hotel guests. Car ferries depart hourly, 7 days a week from Half Moon Bay marina to land at Kennedy Point - visit www.sealink.co.nz . The journey by helicopter with Heletranz (visit www.heletranz.co.nz ) from downtown Auckland takes 8 minutes.

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