A Mini Break in Waiheke - Photography Notes

My friend and I took a much-needed mini break to Waiheke Island — a couple of days to unwind, walk, talk, and enjoy the simple things. There’s something about Waiheke that invites you to slow down. After a busy week, the ferry ride alone feels like a gentle transition into a softer pace. Once we arrived, we caught the bus to Blackpool Beach and our retreat — a friend’s holiday home surrounded by willow trees and the quiet babble of a stream.

On our first morning, we wandered up the road to Oneroa — a short 15-minute walk depending on your pace. We browsed the shops and had breakfast. Loving the sunshine after a wet Auckland week, we kept walking to Ostend, enjoying the views, beaches, and landscape along the way. There, we picked up a bottle of Italian bubbly — chosen purely for the label, a nod to my friend’s upcoming trip to Italy.

Back at our retreat, we settled in as the day turned to dusk. We put on records (yes, a real turntable), chatted some more, and shared stories over fizz and laughter. Another quick walk up the hill — this time in the dark, wrapped up snugly against the chill — led us to a welcoming table by the fireplace at Fenice. A bottle of Chianti, ragu for her, pear and gorgonzola pizza for me. We both agreed: the best meal we’d had in a while.

The next morning — early — I grabbed my camera, pulled on my hiking boots, and headed to Blackpool Beach. It’s a quiet, south-facing bay looking back towards Auckland. Apparently, it’s known for its calm waters and relaxed local vibe — both true to my experience that morning. I can see why it’s a favourite spot for early paddlers and sunset wanderers alike.

The tide was partly out, and the sand was firm — until it wasn’t. Slipping into the soft, sludgy banks, I paused. The warm morning light was simply beautiful. I lost myself here, playing with long exposures as the light reflected gently on the water. There’s something about morning light and water I love.

Turning to the left of the bay, my focus shifted to the boats quietly moored in the distance, the sea lapping in soft rhythm against the shore. A perfect morning for paddleboarding.

Heading back from the beach, I spotted an oversized deckchair — a true Kiwiana sculpture on a front lawn — delightfully unexpected. Continuing up the hill and over the ridge to Oneroa, I next spied a “Bear in the Garden” — or did it spy me first?

The view from Oneroa stopped me in my tracks. A speedboat sliced through the calm while a yacht anchored in the bay. That moment — the light, the silence, the stillness — felt like something worth keeping.

Our final couple of hours on Waiheke were spent perched on stools at The Local: fish ’n’ chips, slaw, and a glass of pinot gris, basking in the midday sun and soaking in the expansive view across Oneroa. I’ve recently read about “glimmers” — micro-moments of goodness. This was, for sure, a glimmer to pocket and recall when I need to warm my soul.

Bring a piece of Waiheke home

Shop prints:
→ Waiheke – A View From Oneroa
→ Waiheke – Blackpool Beach Morning Ripples