Girls Weekend on Waiheke: Wine, Walks & Laughter-Filled Escapes
There’s something magical about a girls weekend away on Waiheke Island. The moment the ferry pulls away from the mainland, it’s like the weight of work, home, and parental admin slides off into the Hauraki Gulf. Time slows, and suddenly, you remember the joy of being in a beautiful place with your favourite people.
This weekend, our “book club” (read: long-time therapy circle / “wine club”) took on Waiheke Island. Six of us — mothers, sisters, daughters, career women, carers, reformed party girls (some less reformed than others) — swapped our usual Saturday chaos for wine, walks, and a few hilarious revelations.
Day One: Shops, Syrah & Shenanigans
We kicked off in Oneroa, where half the group ducked into the local galleries and boutiques, and the other half settled in at Fenice for a caffeine fix and some seriously good baking. We regrouped at The Batch — a quintessential long-lunch spot with vineyard views and rosé on tap. Hours flew by as we caught up on everything and nothing.
Denise, with her trademark cheeky smile, decided it was time to stir the pot:
“Who is the most inappropriate person from your past you could’ve married?”
Let’s just say… there were revelations. Drug dealers, farmers, and even an ex-husband half of us didn’t even know about. Cue uncontrollable laughter — exactly what the weekend was made for.
From there, we made our way to the Onetangi Straight. First stop: Postage Stamp Wines, mainly because we loved the name. Then it was onto The Heke for a round of cocktails. It had a seriously good vibe — locals, warm fires, great energy. No reservation meant no dinner, but it was still worth the stop.
After a quick refresh at our beachfront accommodation, we were lucky enough to snag a late table at 372. Great service, delicious meals, and just enough room left for Anna’s famous brownies and a wind-down cuppa before bed — in a bid to avoid the dreaded Sunday hangover.
Day Two: Walks & an Ocean Cure
Sunday morning we were up earlish for a walk along Onetangi Beach, looping back over the hills to 4Square — yes, the supermarket, but trust me, they bake fresh sourdough daily and the coffee isn’t bad either. Rebecca whipped up scrambled eggs on toast that could’ve made Ottolenghi weep.
Some of the group caught early ferries, but a few stayed for a bracing high-tide ocean dip — yes, in June! The applause from bemused tourists was almost as good as the soak in the spa afterwards.
Tips If You Have More Time: Friday / Saturday Girls’ Weekend Itinerary
If you can wrangle the time off, here’s how we’d do it again — slower, and simpler.
Friday Night:
- Arrive on an evening ferry and drop your bags at your accomodation.
- Settle in with a cheeseboard and bubbles, or wander down to 372 or Ki Māha for a twilight dinner.
Saturday:
- Start with a walk on Onetangi Beach, then pick up warm bread, local eggs, and coffee from 4Square or the café next door.
- Enjoy a dip at high tide followed by a soak in the spa.
Option A:
- Catch the local bus or book a wine tour to visit Soho, Tantalus, Alibi, or Postage Stamp (all on the Onetangi Straight).
- Wrap the day with dinner at The Heke — book ahead!
Option B:
- Book a long lunch at Casita Miro — the setting, the tapas, the sangria… it’s all dreamy.
- Walk back down the hill and meander home along the beach.
Whether you call it a girls getaway to Waiheke Island, a ladies’ wine weekend, or just some overdue time with your people, Waiheke delivers: stunning beaches, award-winning wineries, boutique shopping, and a healthy dose of laughter therapy.
So here’s your sign — gather your crew, pack your weekend bag, and book that ferry, Onetangi is waiting.