Waiheke, a short ferry ride east of Auckland, is a hilly island of roughly nine thousand residents, with bays of white sand, wooded gullies and, over the last few decades, a collection of vineyards that makes it the country's most famous wine island.
A weekend in Northland and the Bay of Islands is a long run, with hundreds of kilometres of highway and winding coast, and it usually ends back in the Auckland region rather than on a ferry. If you do finish here, the bike goes on a vehicle ferry from the city, which takes about forty minutes and gives a lovely view of the harbour and the volcanic cones of the Gulf. The roads on Waiheke are narrow and hilly, with tight bends, sheep and cattle grazing beside them, and loose gravel on the verges. Speed limits are low, and the island is best taken slowly, with stops at lookouts over Hauraki Gulf.
The vines grow well on the sunny, dry slopes, and the island is known for red wines made from Cabernet and Merlot blends, and for olive oil. Restaurants at the wineries serve platters of local seafood and cheese, and booking is wise in summer. The island also has a thriving community of artists and craftspeople, with studios open to visitors. Beaches such as Onetangi, a long sweep of sand, and Oneroa, closer to the ferry, are popular.
Fuel is limited, with a couple of stations in the main villages, so fill up in Auckland if you can, and check ferry times and fares, since the island fills up in summer. Pakuranga and Manukau on the mainland have all services. Weather is mild, but wind and showers can arrive fast, so bring a light waterproof.