Getting to/from the Island– There are essentially two main ways to get to the Island – by passenger ferry, or by the car ferry.
The passenger ferry is very regular and takes approx 35 minutes between downtown Auckland and Matiatia Wharf (Oneroa). Seehttp://www.fullers.co.nz/tickets-fares/timetables/waiheke-island.php for timetables and fares. This is the wharf which The Moorings is just up the hill from.
The car ferry takes approximately 45 minutes and travels between Half Moon Bay or Wynyard Quarter(Auckland) and Kennedy Point (Waiheke). See http://www.sealink.co.nz/waiheke-island/timetable.html for timetables and fares.
Getting around the Island – We recommend having a car for the best way of experiencing all the Island has to offer. However, as the Moorings is centrally based you will still have plenty to explore in the immediate vicinity of Oneroa. Here are some of the other ways you can get around:
Rental Cars & Scooters – Fun Rentals, 2 Belgium Street, Ostend Ph: 09 372 8001 or 021 104 9046. www.funrentals.co.nz
Electric Bicycles – EcyclesNZ – Ph: Chris or Darleen (0220502233) www.ecyclesnz.com
Local Buses – these run to/from Matiatia Wharf to various points on the Island and are usually timed with the incoming/outgoing passenger ferries. Bear in the mind that they aren’t very frequent. If you don’t have a car though, it still might be a good/affordable way to get around, as for approximately $9 you can get an adult’s all day bus pass. See http://www.fullers.co.nz/tickets-fares/waiheke-island-buses.php for more information.
Taxis – If you are using taxis for longer journeys it may pay to ask how much they will charge, as it can be costly, especially if they have to pick you up from a more remote part of the Island.
Local Tip: Re other taxi companies, Independent taxi (bright green) prices are approximately twice that of Island Taxis – so we strongly recommend you don’t use them. Our personal choice is Waiheke Express taxis 0800 700789 – as they seem to have the fairest rates out of all the companies.
Organised Tours – This can be a good way of seeing a lot of the Island (vineyards etc) if you don’t have your own car. See http://waiheke.aucklandnz.com/things-to-do/tours.html
Police / Fire / Ambulance – Phone 111.
Oneroa Accident and Medical Centre/Doctor, 132 Ocean View Rd, ph: 372 3111 or 372 8756 – This is on the corner of Ocean View road and Tui Street in the Red Cross building. If needed, there is also a medical centre further away in Ost End, phone 372 5005.
Westpac Rescue Helicopter – this services Waiheke Island and takes only 10minutes to fly over from Auckland when needed for emergencies.
Pharmacy –120 Ocean View Road, Oneroa village, ph: 372 8312. If needed, there is also another pharmacy in Ost End.
Dentists – Waiheke Dental Ceramics Ltd. 34 Victoria Rd North Onetangi Ph: 372 6706 or Waiheke Dental Centre, 2 Putiki Rd Ph: 372 7422.
Banks – there are 4 banks on the Island, all of which are in Oneroa on Ocean View Road. All four have ATMs and their banking hours are 9am – 4.30pm (Mon to Friday).
- ANZ Ph: 0800 269 296
- ASB Ph: 306 3114
- BNZ Ph: 0800 275 269
- Kiwibank Ph: 336 1133.
Supermarkets – There is a small ‘Four Square’ and grocer in Oneroa village if you need something quick. The ‘Fruit & Vege shop’ at the top of the village (near the roundabout) is great for those with special diets, acquired tastes and don’t mind paying higher prices. There is also a great, affordably priced mini supermarket in Surfdale village (approx. 10min walks down the path off the Point deck’s). For big shops, there is a big Countdown supermarket at 102 Ost End Road (10 minute drive) which is the main road on the way to Onetangi beach. If you need a wine/beer wholesaler, there are two in Oneroa Village (one which is next to Vino Vino restaurant). Local’s Hot Tip!: If you really like your fruit and vegetables and want good quality organic stuff, then got to ‘Raw’ in Ost End. 4 Putiki Rd, Ostend, Ph: 09-372 6728. That said, the Surfdale Village mini-supermarket also has great fruit & veg (if you are not hooked on organic produce).
Churches – the following churches can be found on the Island:
- Waiheke Island Anglican Church, Ocean View Road Oneroa
- Bahai Faith, Postal Address: c/o 12 Tiri Road Oneroa
- Baptist Church, 57 Ostend Road
- Jehovah’s Witnesses, 4 Warf Road Ostend
- Living Waters Assembly of God, 92 The Esplanade Surfdale
- Order of St Luke, Postal Address: 31 Tetley Road Surfdale
- Pray Waiheke, Museum Artworks Oneroa
- Quakers, 70 Palm Road Palm Beach
- St Paul’s Presbyterian Church, Postal Address: PO Box 91 Oneroa
- St Peter’s Catholic Church, Ocean View Road Little Oneroa