Welcome to wonderful Waiheke Island and the fabulous 100km Te Ara Hura walking trail.

The trail is a culmination of 10 years of work by passionate locals, Council, Iwi, and private landowners, piecing together beautiful existing tracks that dotted the island, with links along new tracks and quiet roads.

Note that 100km is not quite accurate! Due to Kauri Dieback Disease and some slips, a couple of sections (Island Bay near Owhanake, and the Te Matuku Reserve near Orapiu) are currently closed. This means the track as detailed here is currently around 87km.

Use this guide and the links to each section of the walk, to help pull together your own walking adventure.

Here we break the walk into 5 days, with sections from 14 – 23km per day. You could easily spread the walk over up to 10 days, depending on your fitness and stamina! Each section has info on ‘getting there’. Some sections are easily accessible using public buses, others require your own transport or a taxi.

We highlight some wineries and restaurants you will pass along the way – do check out their websites for opening hours if you want to combine your walk with supporting the island’s wonderful venues.

So get your walking shoes on, sort yourself some central accommodation, (it’s easy to return to the same place if it’s along the main bus route or you have a vehicle), grab your water, weather-appropriate gear, walking snacks, and day pack. If you want to get off the ferry and start walking, you’ve come to the right place!

We recommend following the trail anti-clockwise. You can click on each walk to be taken to the walk page for details, difficulty, a summary, and printable track directions. Times are very dependent on your walking speed, so these are just a guide. Begin your walk here:

DAY ONE – 16.9km – 5-6 hours walking

Matiatia to Oneroa, via Owhanake – This 5.5km section will take about 2 hours and get you to the beach just below the village of Oneroa – a great place to stop for lunch or refreshments.

Oneroa to Palm Beach – This 6.4km section takes about 1.5 – 2 hours. Palm Beach is a stunning lunch spot for a picnic or cafe break.

Palm Beach to Onetangi – This final 5k section will take you 1 – 1.5hrs to finish an amazing day at beautiful Onetangi Beach. Check the transport details on the walk page to get back to your accommodation for the night.

DAY TWO – 23.4km – 6-7 hours walking

Onetangi to Man O’ War Bay – Allow 3 to 4 hours for this 14km section, and an early start to get out to Man O’ War Bay. Great picnic spot or winery visit.

Man O’ War to Passage Rock – Continue on the next 9.4km – about 2-3 hours, to finish near Passage Rock winery. See details on the walk for organising transport back from this more remote part of the island.

DAY THREE – 14.3km – approx. 6 hours walking

Passage Rock to Trig Hill – This 8.3km is one of the most challenging but ever so rewarding sections! It includes a stunning climb up through private land on Te Matuku to Awaawaroa walkway, a steep descent down to the fabulous Poderi Crisci Winery, and on the next part between Awaawaroa and Trig Hill, the rope-assisted descent. The rope is just to help steady you down along a fenceline on a steep section. (It’s not mountaineering)! Allow 3-4 hours for this section.

Trig Hill to Rocky Bay – Continue on this shady, mostly downhill 6km section, through the lovely Whakanewha Regional Park, to eclectic Rocky Bay. Allow around 2 hours.

DAY FOUR – 20.2km – approx. 5 hours walking

Rocky Bay to Roosters – This 8.2km section will take around 2.5 hours. It begins with a stunning coastal track and continues through the Te Whau region of the Island with gorgeous vast views and quiet bays. Plus, you’ll visit the roosters!

Roosters to Blackpool – This 11km section will also take around 2.5 hours. It’s one of the least hilly parts of the walk (it’s still quite hilly)! You’ll explore the unseen side of this semi-urban part of the beautiful island.

DAY FIVE – 12km – approx. 4 hours walking

Blackpool to Matiatia – This final section is challenging and beautiful and follows the coast almost all the way around the final peninsula. Check tide times to get around this section. Allow around 4 – 5 hours to cover the 12km. You’ll finish the walk back at the ferry terminal in Matiatia.