If you would prefer to take Waiheke at your own pace then we would recommend hiring a car for at least part of the day. This enables you to explore all sides of the island, the furthest reaches being around a 50-minute drive from the ferry terminal. Not having a plan is the best plan, just amble your way around the edge of the island, stop for a swim at one of the beautiful beaches, pause to enjoy the views, explore some of the historic sites and find a spot for lunch. There are plenty of vineyards that offer a fine selection of food and, whilst you can get away with a small glass of wine with lunch, we of course don’t recommend driving on much more than that. Therefore, consider returning your car late afternoon and heading to one of the wineries at the western end of the island. You can enjoy a lazy dinner with some superb matched wines then take a taxi back to the ferry terminal for your journey across to Auckland.