the waiheke coastal walkwaywaihekeoutdoors.weebly.com/.../4/9/5/9/...walkway.pdf · the waiheke...

The Waiheke Coastal WalkwayDelivering paradise - creating a round Waiheke Island walkway within two years

Delivering paradise – creating a round Waiheke Island walkway within two years

Waiheke Island is a paradise, right here on Auckland’s doorstep.

But right now it’s hard for Aucklanders and visitors from abroad to see the real Waiheke.

The Waiheke Coastal Walkway project can make the real Waiheke accessible, achievable and enjoyable to all Aucklanders, either as a week long holiday, or seven separate day trips.

We’ve done the hard work, we’ve got the land, the linkages are established, and 90% of the track is already built. Now is the time to join the dots and package it up as an easy to use round the island walkway that works for Aucklanders and visitors alike.

Our journey started with a beautiful ferry ride to Waiheke Island.

The Waiheke Coastal Walkway

Prepared by the Waiheke Parks team in 2010 with costs paid by Auckland City Council.

We started at Matiatia where the ferry comes in. The man from the lodge picked up our bags and pointed us in the right direction. The route starts right by the wharf, before you know it you’re on your way.

So closeWaiheke Island is a different world. Its close proximity and great contrast to Auckland City makes it an ideal location for day trips and short breaks. With rising fuel costs, holiday traffi c jams and growing concern for global and personal health, people are looking for alternatives to distant traditional holiday destinations. A holiday doesn’t need to be an ordeal of distance driving. The Waiheke Coastal Walkway is the brilliant alternative!

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Paradise on Auckland’s doorstep

It’s offi cial - Waiheke has been discovered2010 Auckland University research into the wine and tourist industries on Waiheke reported between 500,000 and 750,000 visitors a year (CEO Fullers), with over 70% coming from the Auckland Region. 85% would visit again and 97% would recommend Waiheke as a destination for friends and family.

However, many visitors are limited by transport, facilities and information to the urban areas, particularly Oneroa. While most Aucklanders have been once, only those who have a local connection regularly return. Auckland City Council’s vistor satisfaction customer research (2010) shows that 62% have not visited any of the open spaces in the Hauraki Gulf in the last 12 months – yet 85% of people who did visit, rated the experience as very positive.

The real Waiheke At present the real Waiheke is out of reach for most Aucklanders and many of our visitors. It can be expensive to get there, to stay and to eat. The best bits and the free stuff are hard for day visitors to fi nd and to get to.

An established identity: Waiheke Island – Jewel of the Gulf, a place so close to New Zealand’s major city, yet so far removed from its hustle and bustle. Waiheke, far enough behind to be ahead, the island where millionaires and hippies and everyone in between brush shoulders. Waiheke, island of wine. Waiheke, island of art. Waiheke, the dream wedding location. Waiheke, party island.

That first section took us past some amazing scenes, they were putting up a sculpture show, great to talk to the artists. At 4pm we made it to the lodge, where we had a great night (did I mention the wine?).

If we can make the real Waiheke accessible, achievable and enjoyable to all, we improve the quality of life of Aucklanders and the Auckland experience of our visitors.

Lonely Planet 2010 says:Waiheke is 93 sq km of island bliss only a 35-minute ferry ride from the CBD…..On Waiheke’s city side, emerald waters lap a rocky bays, while its ocean fl ank has some of the region’s best sandy beaches. While beaches are the big drawcard, wine is a close second. There are 26 boutique wineries to visit, many with swanky restaurants and breathtaking city views. On top of that, the Waiheke Arts Trail encompasses 26 galleries and craft stores.

Frommers guide listed Waiheke as one of the their top 12 destinations worldwide in 2009.

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On day two we walked past all the small bays and villages and got a real sense of what Waiheke is all about, loved the cafes on the way, we bulked up on carbs for our long walk and talked to the locals.

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s Made it all the way to Rocky Bay today, via the beautiful coastal track around Te Whau peninsula. Caught the bus back to the lodge, next time we might camp at the Regional Park. Glad to put our feet up.

More than meets the eyeWhy is Waiheke so popular? It’s the difference, the quiet that envelopes you as you walk away from the ferry. It’s the stunning views waiting around every corner, it’s the quirky locals, it’s the bach mentality, it’s the space.

The natureWaiheke is the clean, green New Zealand that Kiwis dream of. As well as those stunning, sandy northern beaches, there are dozens of sheltered bays you can make your own on the sunniest of summer days. With ancient Pohutukawa, mature bush remnants and a thriving passion for replanting the next generation of native trees, the island offers more than just a walk up and down the beach.

The cultureIn the last 15 years Waiheke’s jazz and wine festivals, Sculpture on the Gulf, art trails and world class vineyards have seen the island develop a cultural counterbalance to the unspoiled, hippy image of old. It’s now sophisticated – and has character by the bucket-load.

The peopleWhether it’s an ancient bach, a half-fi nished boat, a smokey old dunger at the side of the road or a well-hung concrete ram – every corner dishes up a surprise. Let’s face it, Waiheke is eccentric, Waihekeans are eccentric, everyone has a story about how they got here, and a hundred stories since they arrived. And if you’re not careful they’ll tell you every one. Great walking

Subdivision, single-minded locals and a history of walking over the hill to the beach has left a legacy of walking tracks that criss-cross the island. Now there are over 100km of walkways on the island. Well known, popular and fi ercely guarded by locals, they are starting to become popular with visitors. In Auckland University’s survey, ‘using the walkways and paths’ was the second largest activity visitors to the island took part in, with over 25% of visitors (or 125,000 people a year) using them.

What people do on Waiheke(source: 2010 Auckland University study of tourism on Waiheke Island)

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We started at low tide so we could follow the shoreline to Whakanewha, past the boat sheds. This was the most challenging day, but definitely rewarding, lots of beautiful bush today and stunning wide views of

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Eastern Waiheke and amazing bays. Didn’t realise Waiheke has such beautiful bush as well. Had a chat to some locals, there is a lot going on around here. We called the cab to meet us at Awaawaroa.

Slow down, you’re hereIf you’re escaping from the rat-race, you need to stop racing. Walking is the ideal speed to take in everything the island has to show, say and do.

Your own trail guideWhile Sir Ed may have been happy to blaze a trail into uncharted territory, us mortals want to know where we’re going, how long it’s going to take and what we can do and see along the way. We need signage that’s easy to follow, we need the hidden treasures (and sometimes the obvious ones) pointed out, and we need people who will come and pick up the pieces if it goes wrong – or pick us up if we get tired. A clear, well-signposted, well- serviced circuit will open up Waiheke to everyone who can walk.

SustainableThe more people who drive, the more Waiheke becomes like Auckland. It’s expensive to take your car to Waiheke. It’s expensive to hire a car. Our roads are tricky to drive on and it’s easy to get lost. You’re rarely more than 15 minutes ride away from where you want to go and we have good buses, taxis and if you’re stuck, you can even hitch a ride. Visitors bringing too many cars will actually harm the charm of the place.

Here’s one we made earlierBy linking Waiheke’s existing coastal, urban and bush tracks with country roads, we already have a circuit that takes you right around the island – not missing any of it’s great attractions.

We’re in good companyThere are examples of successful trails in more remote places. Listen to the enthusiastic comments from people who have cycled the Otago Rail Trail or who have walked the Queen Charlotte Track: multi-day trails with opportunties to meet the ‘real locals’, hear the stories of the place, experience the hidden gems fi rst hand. Waiheke offers all of this, right on Auckland’s doorstep.

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Today we walked through the most stunning bit of bush across the hill to Te Matuku Bay, it just keeps getting better. Had a beautiful lunch at Passage Rock, then onwards through more bush and past the old

Overview of proposed Waiheke Coastal WalkwayD

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cemetary, along a coastal track to the mudflats of Te Matuku Bay, where a school group was doing shellfish research. Ended our day at Orapiu wharf where we were picked up by the Well’s Bay Lodge people.

One world class week or seven stunning day trips

DAY 1: COASTAL WALKING WITH MAGNIFICENT VIEWS of the Gulf and clifftop mansions. An amazing introduction to the best the island has to offer.

DAY 2: URBAN ESTUARIES, still close to cafes and boutique B&B’s. A combination of grassroots Waiheke and coastal landscapes.

DAY 3: SERIOUS BUSH WALKING, with lots of hills and great views.

DAY 4: MEANDER THROUGH SHADY, UNSPOILED RIPARIAN BROADLEAF FOREST, skirting Te Matuku Bay Marine Reserve.

DAY 5: A COUNTRY ROAD WITH HISTORY LESSONS, the ‘Far End’ ending at Stony Batter Historic Reserve.

DAY 6: BIG LANDSCAPES, VINEYARDS AND VIEWS, rural Waiheke.

DAY 7: NORTHERN BAYS AND BACHES back to Oneroa and then on to Matiatia.

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Sample of a 7 day walk around Waiheke Island

Because of the size and shape of the island and the easy access to roads, walkers can be dropped off and picked up each day by their accommodation provider, or they could choose from a range of accommodation choices each night.

Aucklanders may choose to complete the circuit in seven separate day visits. These day walks can be completed in any order. This keeps the cost and commitment down, whilst still offering the achievement of walking the circuit and seeing the real Waiheke.

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Walking for around four hours each day would make the circuit a seven-day walk, with each day being distinctly different.

We stayad at this gorgious original cottage today and heard all about the history of this area, this used to be a very busy part of the island. Great stories. Walked along the road to Man-o-war Bay (amazing

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Facilities, 2010

Waiheke Island has over 140 accommodation providers, with prices ranging from $24 to over $1000 per night, most of these are situated in the Western part of the island, between Matiatia and Onetangi, the are that is also well covered with public transport, food outlets and shops.

It is likely that transport, accommodation and food facilities will develop in eastern Waiheke as demand grows.

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Facilities and supportWe don’t need to build or run huts. Waiheke has an eager, entrepreneurial tourism sector. Where there is demand, there is no doubt that it will be fi lled by shuttles, bunk-houses, coffee-carts or accommodation providers.

TransportThe two local bus companies cover a large part of the island and their service is already complemented by a number of smaller operators and taxi companies. Fullers support the Walkway concept and expect to start bus services to Orapiu and Stony Batter in the summer of 2010/11. It is also expected that accommodation providers will start offering ‘pick up and drop off’ packages along the route.

AccommodationThis route does not require council to build huts or campsites along the route. Waiheke already has a huge range of accommodation options, all around the island. While there are already backpackers, campsites and homestays available, we expect private accommodation providers to meet any unfi lled demand.

FoodWhile the west of the island is well-catered with cafes and restaurants, the eastern end depends largely on vineyards which offer food. While these are currently seasonal, they offer a unique experience of emerging from a days tramping to a quality meal in a world-class vineyard location.

Phone coverageCurrently the two main mobile networks offer coverage to most of the island, including around 90% of the route, allowing walkers to ‘call in the cavalry’,when they cannot walk as far as they envisaged that day.

stands of kauri trees) and had our packed lunch at the beach. Then a beautiful bush walk up to Stony Batter, where we managed to explore the tunnels before calling the lodge for another night of comfort!

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Wandered through a huge landscape today, lots of vineyards, new pohutukawa on the hills, yet another face of the island. A long but easy walk along the country roads with lots of great views. Had a great

add note that this section will open (part this year, part planned ???)

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stop at the Lavender farm and enjoyed a wine tasting at Awaawaroa Vineyard. They told us about a lookout above Onetangi and thats where we ended our walk with a few snacks and a bottle of wine.... bliss!

Making it happenWe’ve done the hard work, we’ve got the land, the linkages and 90% of the tracks already built. Given the necessary support and funding, we can open the walkway within two years.

Within 3 months - project defi nitionStakeholders identifi ed, project sponsor, project manager and project team identifi ed.

Project team meet stakeholders to discuss desired outcome and target opening date.

Project team brief appropriate contractors on costing of signage and track creation/upgrade.

Within 6 months - specifi cation and costingWayfi nding audit to identify methodology and approximate cost of signage - $10k

Track audit to establish feasibility and engineers estimate of cost for

opening/upgrading each section of desired route - $30k

Project team agree initial and ideal route and staging of work to achieve each.

Within 12 months - design workDetailed design of new/upgrade sections required for initial route $50k

Design of signage and agree content $20k

Within 24 months - creation of initial routeConstruction/upgrade of sections required to complete initial route $200k

Production and installation of signage $500k

Promotion (maps, brochures, advertising, web content) $100k

TotalEstimated budget for specifi cation, design and implementation $910k

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Our last day, we’re quite fit by now, and we managed to walk the entire route, past all the famous Waiheke beaches, the baches, the clifftop mansions, with a knowing smile, we have seen so much more than these

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day trippers! We did make the most of the abundant cafe culture and treated ourselves to some great local snacks. It was quite late when we reached Matiatia, what a trip, we’re coming back next year!

Future developmentWhile it is achievable to open the The Waiheke Coastal Walkway within 24 months, a mid- and long-term plan needs to be developed in accordance with the projected outcomes, which will need to be set out by the council.

Open the circuit (1-2 years)In 24 months The Waiheke Coastal Walkway can be opened, with a complete circuit, offering walkers a range of day trips and multi-day walks around the island.

Improvements (2-5 years)While the initial circuit is fi nalised and signposted, work can start on laying the foundations for improvements to the route that can be achieved in the medium to long term. These improvements could be found in facilities like interpretation, and in optimisation of the route itself. It is expected that in this period various initiatives will start emerging, offering new accommodation options, food outlets and transport.

Future potential (5-10 years)In the long term the council will need to be alert to opportunities to improve the circuit, and may be able to build on goodwill and proven success to negotiate access through other private properties or new subdivisions. The role of the council will shift from initiating the network to maintaining the facilities, promoting its use and harnessing user input.

Existing map resources can be adapted to provide in-depth information and user feedback about track conditions, travel times and facilities.

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the waiheke coastal walkwaywaihekeoutdoors.weebly.com/.../4/9/5/9/...walkway.pdf · the waiheke...

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