After the Auckland Marathon: Waiheke Island

The Route: Auckland Downtown → Matiatia, Waiheke → Oneroa → vineyards → Auckland Downtown Logistics: Passenger ferry, about 45 minutes each way, then island buses or a hop-on hop-off tour. Marathon Month: November Duration: Day trip

Downtown Ferry Terminal ──(approx. 45 mins Fullers360)──> Matiatia, Waiheke
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          └──────────────(approx. 45 mins ferry)─────────────────┘

The Auckland Marathon starts with a ferry and ends at Victoria Park, a short walk from the pier where it began. Waiheke uses the same terminal. On the Monday, the boat heads the other way, east across the Hauraki Gulf, past the cone of Rangitoto that runners saw from the Harbour Bridge the day before.

November on Waiheke is late spring. The vines are in leaf, the hillsides are green, and the island is busy at weekends but manageable on a Monday. The sea is still cool for swimming, and the weather can switch from sun to squall in an afternoon; take a layer and a waterproof. Most cellar doors and restaurants open daily by November, though a few keep shorter hours early in the week, so check before planning lunch around one.

Fullers360 runs ferries from the Downtown Ferry Terminal to Matiatia, at the western tip of the island, about every half hour for most of the day, with a crossing of about 45 minutes. Tickets can be bought at the terminal or online; the Auckland Transport HOP card also works. Check the timetable and fares at fullers.co.nz.

Oneroa and the Beaches

The ferry lands at Matiatia, and Oneroa, the island's main village, sits on the ridge above it. The walk up is short but steep, so on post-marathon legs, take the island bus that meets the ferries, or a taxi. Oneroa's main street runs along the top of the ridge with cafés, galleries and views down over Oneroa Bay on one side and the gulf on the other.

The beaches are the recovery session. Oneroa Beach, below the village, and Little Oneroa, next to it, have flat sand and shallow water; walk the length at the tideline and sit. Palm Beach and Onetangi, further east and reached by bus, are larger and quieter on a weekday. Onetangi's long, flat sweep of sand faces north across the gulf.

The Vineyards

Waiheke's warmer, drier microclimate made it one of New Zealand's red wine and syrah regions, and there are more than 20 vineyards on an island about 20 km long. Many serve lunch with a view. A hop-on hop-off bus runs a loop between the main vineyards, beaches and villages, which suits legs that do not want to walk between them. Tasting fees vary by cellar door and are often refunded with a purchase.

For a fixed plan, several Auckland operators sell a ferry, bus and tasting package. For a loose one, buy a day bus pass, pick two vineyards and a beach, and let the timetable decide the pace.

Getting Back

Ferries return from Matiatia to Downtown until the evening, about every half hour for most of the day. The walk down from Oneroa to the ferry is downhill, which is worse than uphill on sore quads; take the bus. The last ferry back varies by day, so check before settling in for dinner.