If somebody is visiting Auckland and they’re here longer than a couple of days, I always tell them that a must see place is Waiheke Island. It’s officially Auckland, but it feels like a million miles away and yet only takes forty minutes to catch a ferry to from the city. It also has its own microclimate and quite often when it’s bucketing down on the mainland, the sun is shining and the water is sparkling blue on Waiheke. Well that didn’t exactly happen for us this time unfortunately but more of that later.
Guillaume and I first visited the island not long after moving here and when Lou was just a newborn. My parents were over and looked after the boys so that the three of us could take off for a couple of days. The weather was superb that time and driving around the island was just one wow moment after another. The scenery spectacular, the rolling hills, cliffs and the bluest of blue water you could ever see. I was so excited to go back with the entire family over the Easter school holidays and soak up more of that island vibe.
Like we quite often do, we booked a bach (what they call a holiday home or weekender in NZ) through bookabach. I find this is the easiest with everyone, especially kids that want to run around and need a stocked kitchen for their hungry bellies. The place we stayed at had the most magnificent ocean view and I would have been happy to just sit on the deck the entire time and reflect on life. Another bonus was that they had a bit of a secret garden for the kids to explore and we could help ourselves to salad and vegetables growing in it. How to win me over!
The first day it was sunny and we visited the local market at Ostend straight after driving off the ferry. It had such a lovely vibe and we got to sample local produce including the most beautiful honey.
We finished our first day with a swim at the beach and that was pretty much the last of the sun for the rest of the stay, but we didn’t let it get to us.
There’s so many great walks around the island and our kids are now finally at the age where they can do decent walks, so we spent the rest of the holiday packing lunch in our packs and going for tramps (what they call hiking in NZ).
The second day of tramping was quite a challenge. We decided to walk to Stony Batter, an historic defence installation which we thought would be fun for the kids to see. The last time we were in Waiheke we walked there only to be told that it was cash only so we couldn’t enter the tunnels. So this time we didn’t want to miss out and came prepared with cash, walked for about thirty minutes in the pouring rain with gale force winds to find that it was closed! Disappointed is an understatement but the kids were little champions that day with incredible spirits and they weren’t discouraged to do more of it the next day. Luckily the weather got a little better.
Something that goes hand in hand with holidays is ice-cream. Well that’s something that I always associate it with and since the last time I was there, a gelato store in a container opened up on the main street of Oneroa. This gelato is handcrafted with local produce and to die for! I also heard whispers that they might be bringing their gelato to the mainland soon!
Enjoy a few of our holiday snaps.
Mel xx
Catching the car and passenger ferry to Waiheke.
I met these young girls at Ostend Markets that make these sweet dream catchers for a bit of pocket money, I told them that they should set up an Etsy shop, they’d go quite well.
Waiheke Honey Co – I’m sold! We took some home with us and I’ll certainly be ordering some more from them. I’m saying this from a country with the best bee population and top quality honey.
The view from our Bach.
Grapes were just some of the edibles in the garden that we could help ourselves to.
Palm beach at the end of the day.
Our first day walking around the island.
Yes muscles really are that big in NZ!
Trying to get a rare family shot. A second after this, Lou rubbed sand into the camera lens!
My champions dealing with awful conditions walking to Stony Batter.
The weather more reasonable this day. More tramping.
The end of the day.
Island Gelato Company I love you!!!
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Oh Mel! This is beautiful and really makes me want to travel to NZ!
xoxo
Elodie
Oh you should definitely come visit! I just got back from another beautiful part today, this country is seriously beautiful. xx M
Sounds like heaven, well except of having sand rubbed in the camera lens, that bit didn’t sound quite as good! xx
No so for a while you may be seeing a few lines in my photos! M xx
How wonderful and so close to the city!! Its always nice to have a getaway…I’m eyeing the Blue Mountains for a quick getway this Winter! Your kids have grown so much Mel…gorgeous photos!
Thanks Anastasia. Yes they’ve grown, it’s crazy how quickly time passes. I love the blue mountains in the winter. You should check out Turon Gates which is a lot further but amazing!
Oh my goodness, Mel! What a sweet holiday album here :) You and your family are just precious and I love that your kids seem to adventurous. I hope Oskar is like that, too! Thank you for sharing moments from you trip….
Jocelyn xx
p.s. those dream catchers are divine. x
Thanks Jocelyn! Such a pleasure to share a few of our snaps. M xx