Transport & Essential Services
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). See http://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: Rob (0220502233) or Wayne (0272467883) 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.
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