On our first full day in Auckland the sun came out, and to make the most of a warm spring day we took the ferry out to nearby Waiheke Island. Ten miles from Auckland, the island is home to a mixture of permanent residents and holiday homes. Many of the locals on the island commute everyday to the city on the 30-minute ferry ride.

We only spent about eight hours on the island, but we loved its green hills and long, sandy beaches. There were times where we felt as if we were in the tropics, rather than on an island with micro climates and several wineries. After a vineyard lunch, a long hike, and soaking in a lot of sun, we ferried back to Auckland just before sunset.

 Click here to view these on a map