The French Cottage

From sea kayaking to sculpture parks, from some of the world's finest restaurants to the sound of native birds in song, from bargain hunting at the Saturday market, from breathtaking coastal scenery to an amazingly extensive public walkway system, Waiheke Island has everything you need for the perfect holiday ....

Golf, kayaking, windsurfing, Ashtanga Yoga, art appreciation, golf, swimming, massage, beer tasting, wine tasting, paintball, horse riding, fishing, Waiheke Cinema, shopping or enjoying numerous parks and walkways - you name it - it's likely to be available on this little piece of Paradise .....

Waiheke Island, Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand has numerous artists and sculptors. When you arrive at The French Cottage, Waiheke Island Retreat, an Art Trail brochure will be waiting for you. Many days can be absorbed visiting these artists in between wine tastings and swimming at your favourite Waiheke Island beach.

Every Saturday morning from 8am through to 1pm or so, the Ostend Saturday market is becoming increasingly popular. Sample freshly-made foods as you find that bargain or piece of unique Waiheke Island craftwork ....

Don't forget to collect some of the delicious fresh breads sold in the Baked on Waiheke European Breads bakery directly opposite the market. But be quick - these breads sell out very quickly on Saturdays .....

Buskers sometimes attend the Ostend Saturday Market on Waiheke Island.

Get yourself a fresh coffee or locally-made ginger beer, and enjoy .....

Waiheke Island has an abundance of publicly-available walkways.

With typical thoughtfulness, charming wooden bench seats are provided in numerous walkway locations across the island. Take your time, take a rest, take a photo .....

A short half-day or day excursion away from Waiheke Island is Rangitoto Island.

The iconic silhouette of Rangitoto Island in Auckland’s Waitemata harbour is this country’s youngest volcano, at only 600 years old. This makes it the perfect place to learn about how life populates an area.

Ask at a Fullers Ferry terminal information centre about an excursion.

One of the reasons that Frommers Travel Guide has listed Waiheke Island, Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand, as one of the top 12 travel destinations in the world, is the fabulous cuisine available on the island. Waiheke Island boasts three of the top 10 vineyard restaurants in the world!

Stony Batter Historic Reserve: Stony Batter was built during WWII, and is a fascinating place to visit with its restored network of 1.3km's of tunnels, three concrete gun emplacements, magazines, an engine room, command post and associated military history.

Location: eastern end of Waiheke. Access via Man O' War Bay Road.

A great place to take a torch (for the tunnels, and to walk back to your car if you have watched the moon rise) and a picnic, and, as the sun sets, watch the amazing rock formations turn a golden-pink hue, making a striking contrast with the deep blue of the surrounding sea.

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