August 2023 News - Waiheke Walking Festival

Thursday 26 October – Sunday 5 November 2023

It’s just 2 months time until the ‘world’s friendliest walking festival’

This month..

The website is now live to view
Announcing our new community walk, a morning walk to enjoy and connect with friends, family and neighbours
The Festival Finale is back
Patrons and Friends only walk at Bruce Plested’s
The Walk and Accommodation package
Key Festival dates for booking and planning

We are excited to announce the full walk programme for 2023 is now live to view!

Go to https://www.waihekewalkingfestival.org/walks-events/ and check it out. There’s new walks, lots of walks on private land, new history walks in Awaawaroa, Onetangi and Rocky Bay, a Te Reo walk and lots lots more.

Everyone loves a walk with a view! Photo credit: Gary Wilton

Our new Waiheke Community Walk on October 23rd

Join us for this wonderful new Walking Festival kick-off event, a 2km community walk at the Onetangi Sports Park.

A chance to come together with family, friends and neighbours and celebrate our beautiful island and community. Be welcomed with a whakatau and pōwhiri from our Mana Whenua from Ngāti Pāoa, and discover a wonderful walking trail that all the family can enjoy.

To learn more click here.

The Waiheke Wine Centre Festival Finale is back

Join us on November 5th to celebrate the 13th annual Waiheke Walking Festival.

With the kindness and generosity of property owner Bruce Plested, join us at Rarowhara, to celebrate. Join fellow Festival goers, volunteers, guides, landowners, Sponsors, Patrons, Festival Friends and other supporters as we will celebrate another successful Waiheke Walking Festival. As a special treat we will hear a couple of songs by Waiheke’s much-loved acapella choir Sister Shout.

For more information look on our website HERE.

Photo credit: Loxton

There is still room on our 3-day 2-night Walk and Accommodation Package

How do you fancy just showing up on the island, and letting us do the rest?

Join a group of 12 fellow walkers, staying at the lovely and relaxed Kiwi House in Oneroa. Enjoy walks with your group, some curated just for you, or join specially selected Festival walks, for three fun-filled, active days on gorgeous Waiheke Island.

The package includes 2 nights accommodation with breakfast, picnic-style lunches for 3 days, all transport to and from walk starts/finishes, premium walk fees, ferry pick up and drop off, and a host each day to help you enjoy 3 days of your walking adventure.

Walks will range in time and grade, but a moderate level of fitness is required as Waiheke is very hilly. To find all the details click HERE to read and book.

Is it time to become a Friend of the Festival?

This year for the first time we are offering a Friends and Patrons only walk. As a Friend you will be guaranteed a spot on this fabulous private land walk, on November 5th, the Wairua Beach to Barn Walk.

The Friends membership fee of $115 helps improve the long-term financial stability of the Festival. As a thank you, we give you 10 walking spots (only 6 for the general public). And, Friends receive early access to booking to all of the walks. This gives you a great opportunity to book on to the walks you want.

For more information and to Become a Friend of the Festival, click HERE.

Waiheke Walking Festival Key Dates:

TODAY 10am: Full Festival programme available online to view

15th September 10am: Early access booking period for Friends and Patrons

2nd October 10am: Bookings live and open for everyone

23rd October: Waiheke Community Walk and Te Ara Hura 5-day walk begins

26th October – 5th November: The Waiheke Walking Festival is on!

Keep an eye out around Auckland and New Zealand for our wonderful billboards, and a huge thank you to GO Media for their support.

To email us CLICK HERE

Happy walking everyone,
Your Festival Team
Vicki, Kate, Anna, Tess, Linda, Mandy, Judy, Sarah, Olly and David