Oneroa is the main village on Waiheke, just 2km from the Matiatia Wharf, where the ferry from Auckland comes in. I’ve come to realise that Waiheke Island is a lot more built up than people think. You wouldn’t believe how often I’ve been asked if the island has anything besides rolling hills and rows of grape vines!

Oneroa proves that Waiheke is no less built up than other Auckland suburbs (but feels miles away from the rest of the world). It’s packed with cafes, bars, restaurants, boutiques, souvenir shops, galleries, ice cream parlours... the list goes on!

The white sand beach below the village is also called Oneroa Beach, and a bit further around the coast is Little Oneroa. If you’d like to visit Palm Beach (one of my favourite “walking distance” beaches on Waiheke), you can walk from Oneroa via the Te Ara Hura Trail.

If you’re here for lunch, I recommend Fenice Café or classic Kiwi fish and chips on the beach. And you have to stop at Island Gelato before you catch the ferry home!