Matiatia Historic Reserve, Waiheke Island

Walk #191, 5th April 2026

The walk begins to the north of the ferry terminal at Matiatia. The first ten minutes of the walk is along the beach and it’s best to go either side of low tide.

The picturesque views include Rangitoto Island and downtown Auckland. The track passes some of the island’s most expensive houses with their manicured gardens and sculptures. There’s an interesting dog made of timber at Cable Bay.

It’s a slog up a lot of steps at Cable Bay until you get to Delamore Drive. The road has a gate which you pass through and after that a long track downhill track leads back to the ferry terminal at Matiatia.

Walk: Waiheke 50

Waiheke Island: Stony Batter

Walk #190, 4th April 2026

Stony Batter is at the end of Man O’War Bay road. It’s an impressive remnant of New Zealand’s coastal defense system. While very little remains above ground, the rooms and tunnels below ground are really well preserved.

The walk along the gravel road past farmland and grape vines gives sweeping views of the Hauraki Gulf out to the Coromandel peninsula.

The area takes its name from distinctive rock formations that are the remnants of two ancient volcanos.

There is a charge to enter the batter, in order to maintain the site. The historic site was built in 1942 and finished after the war. It’s managed by the archaeologist leasing it.

Walk: Waiheke 48

Links

Stoney Batter Tunnels: Explore the Underworld

Waiheke Island: Stony Batter Tunnels

Waiheke Island: Whakanewha Regional Park

Walk #189 3rd April 2026

A walk through a rare patch of bush on the southern coast of Waiheke Island. Although Waiheke Island is the Hauraki Gulf’s second biggest island, it’s been intensively farmed and very little bush remains. The forest on this walk consisted mainly of punga, kohekohe and taraire trees. I didn’t see any kauri trees.

The walk was ho-hum and not well sign-posted.

The best forests on Waiheke Island are on private land. We carried on to the Man O’War Forest Zip-line where we got to walk and fly through big stands of kauri. I recommend the experience.

I give the walk a low rating because of the lack of signage. It was supposed to be ‘the School Loop Track’ but I couldn’t find it.

Walk: Waiheke 49