The Waiheke Bike Map
This map is the insider’s guide to cycling on the island.
Biking on Waiheke can be as challenging as the views are gorgeous. There are many hills, some steep with winding roads; some roads are narrow, some roads are busy, some have cycle lanes, and many don’t. There is very little flat cycling, but if you have an e-bike, or are fit with a regular bicycle, you will find rewarding vistas, beaches, native bush, cafés, olive gardens, vineyards and breweries, even if the hills are unavoidable.
With this map we hope to offer you a local’s insight into getting around Waiheke Island on a bicycle, with tips for preferred routes, and the locations of bike businesses, rentals and mechanical support.
When planning your trip, see our suggested rides and pick a route that fits your level of confidence and fitness.
While we endeavour to keep the information on the map and on this page up to date, do let us know if things have changed, or you have suggestions or comments! cawaiheke@gmail.com
The Waiheke Bike Map was created by Cassie McCracken and Vibeke Brethouwer with input from the CAW committee and bike businesses on Waiheke Island.
Find a hard copy of this map at tourism information points like the wharf, the library, Waiheke Bike Business and Waiheke BikeBox and the Sustainability Centre. Let us know if you think it needs to be in your business
Getting to Waiheke
Tips for safe riding on Waiheke Island
Explore route suggestions
Mountain bike tracks on Waiheke
Camping and bike touring on Waiheke Island
Bike Rentals, Repair and Sales
How to report any issues or concerns
Need to know
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Getting to Waiheke
Bikes travel free on the Fullers ferry from Auckland and are subject to a charge on the Sealink vehicle ferry. Bike spaces on ferries are limited and cannot be booked ahead. Arrive at the ferry terminal with time to spare before ferry departure.
Ferry services:Fullers360 Ferry | 09 372 8305
Matiatia wharf | fullers.co.nz
Sealink Vehicle Ferry | 09 300 5900
Kennedy Point | sealink.co.nz
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Cycling Infrastructure
There is not a lot of cycling infrastructure on Waiheke. There are a few sections of road that have painted cycle lanes, and there are some shared pathways. Some cycle lanes are only on one side of the road and it is not always practical or possible to change sides safely. Only change sides to access the wide shared paths with separators, and don’t cycle against traffic in a painted cycle lane.
The Waiheke cycle lane paradox
While you see some cycle lanes on the map, these are often on main roads with the most traffic. It is often preferable to seek out a quieter road on Waiheke, even if it is more hilly to avoid bigger traffic.
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Safe riding
Waiheke roads are shared with pedestrians, cars, buses, trucks, motorcycles, and horses. Hills are unavoidable. Keep to the left of the road when it’s safe to do so. Communicate with other road users by indicating clearly, making yourself visible and riding in a predictable line. Loose gravel is a common occurrence on Waiheke, especially after rain. Helmets are a legal requirement for cycling in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Bicycles are legally considered vehicles, and have the same rights on the road. There are situations in which it is safer to exercise your right to ‘take the lane’ and move to the centre of the lane, e.g. parked cars or unsafe surfaces. As the sign says as you roll of the ferry ‘Slow Down, You’re Here’, there is no harm in pulling over and checking the map for a quieter road.
Bike rentals, repair & sales
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Bikes&Beyond
E-Bike Repair & rental
Rentals and repair shop located in Oneroa village opposite the library. Bikes&Beyond has stores around New Zealand and also offers ebike sales and electric moped hire. All buses from Matiatia go up to Oneroa Village from the ferry terminal.
022 0502233 | 108 Ocean View Road, Oneroa
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E-Ride by Waiheke Bike Shop
E-Bike Rentals located on Matiatia Wharf on Waiheke.
021 818 001 | Matiatia Wharf
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Waiheke Bike Hire
Mountain Bike Rentals
Located close to the wharf in the Matiatia Carpark at walking distance. Mountain bikes and limited amount of ebikes for hire.09 372 7937 | 7 Ocean View Road
waihekebikehire.com -
Waiheke Cycles
Repair, Sales & Rentals
Bike repair specialist, including ebikes, bike sales & accessories, bespoke rentals.
02108791703 | 5 Tahi Road, Ostend, Waiheke Island
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Bikebox Waiheke
Community Bike Repair Hub at the Sustainability Centre
1a Mako Street, Oneroa | Open 12-4pm weekends
We help you maintain your bike, help with simple repairs and advice, volunteer run, koha appreciated.
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Man O War E-Bike tours
Man O’ War vineyards is located at the eastern end of the island and offers e-bike tours in their area.
Man O’ War e-bike tours
Family Ride
Oneroa to Surfdale return – 6.5km
Difficulty: Easy
Surface: Mostly sealed road, some gravel road
Traffic: Low traffic residential roads
Ride time: Approx 30mins return
Directions: Follow the green guide line on the map. Most Blackpool roads adjacent to Mako, Tui and Rata streets are also very quiet so you can explore the neighbourhood for some variety.
For cyclists wanting a less challenging ride on Waiheke Island, or wanting to take kids on a safe route, the family ride is a suitable option.
This ride follows the back roads of Oneroa/Blackpool to Surfdale via The Esplanade. The Esplanade is a traffic-calmed, mostly flat seaside gravel road, so it is perfect for cycling and walking. It is a safer way to get from Oneroa to Surfdale and vice versa, and it cuts out a couple of big hills as an added bonus so a lot of cyclists prefer this option over using the main road (Surfdale Road - Ocean View Road via Little Oneroa) even if there are some cycle lanes marked on that main road.
In Surfdale you can visit the beach (high tide swimming only), playground, art gallery or a café.
Cycling to school
Te Huruhi School and Waiheke High School are easily accessible from here as well. In Surfdale there is the option to stick to the waterfront and ride along the Surfdale Reserve footpath. You can choose to go onwards on the wider sidewalk without crossing the road through Surfdale - take care when sharing with pedestrians and respect their space. There is shortcut from ‘the keyhole’ of Allison Road that is car-free that leads up to Donald Bruce Road and the schools.
Scenic Beaches
Matiatia to Onetangi loop – 23km
Difficulty: Moderate, but hilly
Surface: Sealed roads
Traffic: Main roads
This ride is the perfect introduction to Waiheke’s beaches, as well as cafés, restaurants and the centrally located vineyards. The vineyards on Onetangi Straight are on this route; others can be easily reached with a detour.
Beaches along this route are north-facing, making them a great stop for a swim during high or low tide.
You can ride this loop in either direction. The northern half of this loop is more scenic, on smaller residential roads that can be narrow, winding and steep. There are limited sections of cycle lane. The southern half of the loop is along main roads, where the roads are wider, with sections of cycle lane and shared pathways but there is more traffic. The Esplanade, on the south side of the island, is the safer way to and from Oneroa, with almost no vehicular traffic. This route is safer and calmer than the short bike lane from Little Oneroa to Surfdale.
Unless you are used to steep hills, an electric bike is advisable for this route.
Directions
Follow the orange guide line on the map.
Sights
Little Oneroa Beach, Palm Beach, Onetangi, optional detour to Sandy Bay & Enclosure Bay for a quieter swim. Stop for the sea views at the Palm Beach lookout. Have a picnic at any of the free beach barbecues or visit one of the world famous vineyards.
Far end adventure
Onetangi to Man O’ War loop – 32km
Difficulty: Challenging – hills and gravel
Surface: Sealed and unsealed roads (approx 16km gravel)
Traffic: Public roads, no cycle lanes
Ride time: e-bike 2.5 hrs - 5 hrs, push bike 7-8 hrs
This ride is a gravel-lover’s dream! If you’ve got strong legs and a bike geared for big hills and unsealed roads, this is the perfect day trip to get out and see more of Waiheke. Views across the Hauraki Gulf to the Coromandel Peninsula make the hills worth it.
This ride is a 32 km round trip from Onetangi, including a 23km loop, 16km of which is gravel. There are optional detours to the boulder-strewn landscape of the Stony Batter Historic Reserve with WWll-era tunnels and to Orapiu Bay.
Man O’ War Bay is a great midway stopping point to cool off with a swim, or lunch and a drink from Man O’ War Vineyard, the Waiheke Gin Distilling Co. or Passage Rock.
Poderi Crisci and Orapiu Wharf are not on the loop, but easily accessible. Check online for up-to-date information on Fullers ferry services between Orapiu, Auckland, and the Coromandel Penisula.
Man O’ War Vineyards offers e-bike hire, a bike adventure on their farm and vineyard trails, bookable on their website.
We recommend that this challenging route is experienced in a clockwise direction, tackling the portion of unsealed road first, continuing on sealed road –with some great downhill sections– to enjoy on the way back.
Directions
From Onetangi, follow Waiheke Road until you reach the turn-off to Man O’ War Road. Turn left, following signs for Stony Batter and then on to Man O’ War Bay. Stony Batter Reserve and the historic tunnels, Orapiu wharf and Awaawaroa road are fun additions to the adventure. The gravel road continues from the turn-off all the way to the turn-off to Orapiu.
Sights
Stony Batter Historic Reserve and tunnels, Coromandel views.
Refreshments/Lunch
Man O’ War Vineyards
Waiheke Distilling Co.
Passage Rock
Poderi Crisci
Report an issue
Near misses, accidents & other concerns
It is important to report accidents on Waiheke. Please do report any major incidents to police, and where possible document this with photography. Please share your near misses, dangerous spots and other concerning situations for cyclists with us too by filling out the form on this page.
Emergency: Ambulance, Fire, Police | 111
Police: (Non-emergency) | 105
Waiheke Police Station: 104 Ocean View Road, Oneroa
Reporting hazards
Photos help, so snap a pic if you can, and use it to report online or by phone.
Hazards like street cleaning, trees down:
Auckland Council 09 301 0101
Auckland Council Website
Issues with roading, cycle paths and footpaths:
Auckland Transport 09 355 3553
Auckland Transport: Report A Maintenance Problem
If you think you would like us to report too, please share it with cawaiheke@gmail.com
Important Numbers
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Emergency
Emergency: Ambulance, Fire, Police | 111
Police: (Non-emergency) | 105
Police Station: 104 Ocean View Road
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Medical Centres
Waiheke Medical Centre | 09 372 3111
132 Ocean View Road, Oneroa
Piritahi Hau Ora | 09 372 0022
54 Tahatai Road, Oneroa
Ostend Medical Centre | 09 372 5005
132 Ocean View Road, Oneroa
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Ferry Services
Ferry services:
Fullers360 Ferry | 09 372 8305
Matiatia wharf | fullers.co.nz
Sealink Vehicle Ferry | 09 300 5900
Kennedy Point | sealink.co.nz