Tāmaki Makaurau is full of adventure—whether it’s that waterfall-dotted forest bath that you’ll need to hike through (at least once), exploring like a local in the city, or eating your way around some of the best restaurants in Tāmaki Makaurau. When the summer season kicks in, you’ll see ferry-loads make a beeline over the water to Waiheke for the weekend. A day out in this little slice of paradise makes for a perfect weekend getaway—with minimal travel required. 

Pro-tip: While there’s so many places to see and things to do in Tāmaki Makaurau, stick to a handful of booked activities and then spend the rest of your time soaking up the holiday vibes, because you’re going to be relaxing on island time, afterall. Thanks for SO/‘s Key To the City offers, we got to experience some highlights in the city and across the way in Waiheke.

Here’s our guide on where to Eat, Play and Stay around Waiheke.

Where to Eat in Waiheke

Image credit: New dishes at 'The Shed' at Te Motu Vineyard | Vicki Young

Make a beeline for Te Motu Vineyard from Mātiatia wharf. After a scenic 40 minute ferry ride from Britomart Ferry Terminal, skip the bus wait and pre-book a local cab (shout out to Waiheke Island Taxis) to Te Motu. About 15 minutes drive away and overlooking the views of vines for days, their restaurant (a.k.a. The Shed—named after its original use, before they built the now summery indoor-outdoor restaurant around it) is just a stones throw from the vines.

It’s also a few steps away from their lush veggie garden (full of vibrant greens and bees at this time of the year), where Chef Rowan and the team utilise a snapshot of each season in the form of vibrant oils, charred wedges and fresh, crunchy sides with pops of colour and flavour. Start with a tick off the Waiheke list and order half a dozen Te Matuku oysters with a glass of Te Motu’s Dunleavy Rosé (named after ‘The Shed’). The oysters are a must on the Waiheke bucket list—farmed and harvested on the island, they’re juicy and taste of cucumber and melon. With the refreshing rosé on hand, we’re immediately settled into holiday mode. Move into snackier small plates like their crudo with vibrant green kawakawa oil and pops of kawakawa salt.

Make sure you get their pillow-soft, house-made focaccia with confit garlic and brown butter too (plus a sprinkling of red wine salt), because you’ll want to mop up the juices from warm mussels encased in a blanket of saffron rouille, or that macadamia ajo blanco swimming around halves of melt-like-butter confit leek (pro tip: do add guanciale).

Their green peppercorn dotted pekepeke kiore (Native lions mane mushroom) had me fooled for beef brisket, with roasted-til-tender textures and a meaty sauce that will convert even the meat-eaters. The vegetables from the garden are truly the stars of the show—you might even get an off-menu cabbage, charred half with crispy, smokingly sweet lacy cabbage edges and garnished with fresh pops of fennel and petals. Pair it with one of their signature Bourdeaux-style blends (and if you can’t choose, you can also sip your way through a guided vertical tasting with rare vintages dating back to 2000). Save room for dessert—we were lucky to get a scoop of their just-made tiramisu (homemade down to ladyfingers made from scratch—very impressive!).

Where to Play in Waiheke 

Image credit: Wild Estate's Archery in the vines | Jack Woon 

Aside from frolicking through the vines, head down the hill from Te Motu to Wild Estate (previously known as Wild on Waiheke) for some play—we’re all about the outdoor activities and fun in the sun. From sipping on a Wild Estate wine tasting session with Josh, to relaxing in the outdoor area with a game of cornhole (plus there’s a playground for kids, too).

Test your skills with target shooting under the trusty guidance from Lewis and join in with others on a friendly laser clay-shooting competition, then channel your inner Katniss with archery in the vines. We joined in with a group and felt like we were playing with friends—filled with friendly banter and poor aim (from me mostly, who surprisingly enjoyed the activity despite missing every single shot apart from one).

We moved onto archivery and it was fun feeling the bow fly through with a whoosh to to hit the target (most of the time). Our guide Lewis made the entire experience so enjoyable, with our zombie apocalypse training and friendly competitive spirit from the group. The hour went by so quickly—check out their wild packages for different activities offered. Both Te Motu and Wild Estate are offering special offers with SO/, so check it out. 

Where to Stay around Waiheke

Image credit: SO/ Comfy Room | Supplied

With SO/‘s Key To the City offers, Auckland’s SO/ was our pick for a getaway—bonus with it being only a short walk to the ferry (less than 10 minutes). We left the island on the 6pm ferry (but not to worry if you miss it, as the last ferry leaves Waiheke at 7pm) and caught golden hour across the city as we headed into the harbour.

It was beautiful seeing Tāmaki Makaurau approaching from the boat, the golden hues lighting up behind the Sky Tower and Harbour Bridge. We checked into SO/‘s luxe King Studio—kitted out with a sitting area, mini bar, bath and rainfall shower—it was a holiday away without leaving the city.

Check out Harbour Society where the team are known for their woodfire grilled plates (we had the crispy skin and super-soft woodfired salmon) with a glass of wine (while admiring their wine wall lining the private dining space in the back). Finish off your evening with a cocktail at HI-SO rooftop bar the next floor up, with views out to the city.

Hungry for more adventures in Aotearoa? Check out:

• Eat, Play and Stay in Marlborough
• What to do in Ruapehu outside of the ski season
• Experience dinner in the clouds—at Chefs Table At The Blue Duck

Main Image Credit: Waiheke Mātiatia Wharf | Vicki Young