I visited Waiheke Island, the 'Hamptons of New Zealand,' where Taylor Swift has vacationed and the ultra-rich reside. Take a look around.

Monica HumphriesSep 19, 2024, 05:14 IST

Business Insider's author visited Waiheke Island, where celebrities like Taylor Swift and Bill Gates vacation.Monica Humphries/Business Insider

Waiheke Island, off the coast of Auckland, New Zealand, is a vacation spot for the rich and famous.
The island is home to ritzy vineyards and million-dollar properties.

Waiheke Island, off the coast of Auckland, New Zealand, is known to attract a wealthy crowd.

In 2017, Vogue journalist Amy Louise Bailey coined Waiheke Island, the "Hamptons of New Zealand," and called it an "escape that is high-end but low-key."

I was eager to see if Waiheke lived up to its Hamptons reputation, so on a trip to Auckland in 2022, I planned a two-night getaway to the island. Take a look at what I discovered.

Off the coast of New Zealand's capital is Waiheke Island, a 36-square-mile island home to some of the country's wealthiest residents and vacationers.

A bird's-eye view of Waiheke Island, New Zealand.Fiona Ritchie/Getty Images

In the summer of 2022, I traveled to Waiheke to see what exactly entices affluent vacationers and residents to the island.

The view of Auckland, New Zealand, from a ferry.Monica Humphries/Business Insider

As the ferry departed from Auckland, the city's harbor and Sky Tower faded into the distance. A little over half an hour later, a lush, green island speckled with homes came into view.

The ferry station in the Waiheke Island terminal.Monica Humphries/Business Insider

As the ferry departed from Auckland, the city's harbor and Sky Tower faded into the distance. A little over half an hour later, a lush, green island speckled with homes came into view.

My first stop was Mudbrick Vineyard, where I planned to do what Vogue says locals, tourists, and wealthy visitors do — sip wine.

The entrance to the Mudbrick Vineyard and Restaurant.Monica Humphries/Business Insider

As I pulled into the parking lot, I understood why the winery entices such remarkable names. The vineyard had grand views overlooking Te Haruhi Bay.

The Mudbrick Vineyard.Monica Humphries/Business Insider

After visiting a celebrity-loved winery, I hoped to catch a glimpse of where the wealthy stay on Waiheke Island, too.

A real-estate company advertises homes for sale on Waiheke Island.Monica Humphries/Business Insider

I headed first to Cable Bay Lane, which is home to ritzy vacation properties like Fossil Cove, the property where Lady Gaga stayed when she visited the island.

A helicopter at a vineyard on Waiheke Island.Andrew T Hall/Shutterstock

I drove down Cable Bay Lane searching for other modern mansions, luxury cars, or helipads. I should've known better. Each home was gated, and there wasn't a celebrity in sight.

The ritzy homes along the road were gated.Monica Humphries/Business Insider

I drove down Cable Bay Lane searching for other modern mansions, luxury cars, or helipads. I should've known better. Each home was gated, and there wasn't a celebrity in sight.

After my failed mansion mission, I decided to explore one of the island's pristine public beaches instead. I walked along Little Palm Beach, which is free to visit.

The entrance to Little Palm Beach on Waiheke Island, New Zealand.Monica Humphries/Business Insider

With that in mind, I hopped in my car and headed to Owhanake Bay.

A parking lot at Owhanake Bay on Waiheke Island, New Zealand.Monica Humphries/Business Insider

Thanks to the hike's high elevation, I spotted mansions Waiheke's rich and famous own.

A mansion along the hike.Monica Humphries/Business Insider

After the hike, I headed to my Airbnb for the evening.

The tiny house was tucked into the cliffside of Waiheke Island.Monica Humphries/Business Insider

The next day, I continued to explore Waiheke and headed to another part of the island, Oneroa Village. It's the island's largest suburb, and home to shops, restaurants, and businesses.

A view of Waiheke's main shopping and dining area.Monica Humphries/Business Insider

The next day, I continued to explore Waiheke and headed to another part of the island, Oneroa Village. It's the island's largest suburb, and home to shops, restaurants, and businesses.

This laid-back charm was across the whole island. When I first arrived on Waiheke Island, I feared I might feel out of place.

The main street of Waiheke Island in New Zealand.Monica Humphries/Business Insider

But during two days on the island, I discovered much more than hot tubs, six-car garages, and helipads. I realized that I didn't need to be a wealthy traveler to enjoy Waiheke Island.

A vineyard on Waiheke Island, New Zealand.Monica Humphries/Business Insider

But during two days on the island, I discovered much more than hot tubs, six-car garages, and helipads. I realized that I didn't need to be a wealthy traveler to enjoy Waiheke Island.

While multimillion-dollar mansions fill Waiheke Island and glamorous vineyards sprawl for miles, the island didn't ooze only glam. I ultimately agreed with journalist Amy Louise Bailey when she wrote that Waiheke was an "escape that is high-end but low-key."

The author in front of the tiny house on New Zealand's Waiheke Island.Monica Humphries/Business Insider

While multimillion-dollar mansions fill Waiheke Island and glamorous vineyards sprawl for miles, the island didn't ooze only glam. I ultimately agreed with journalist Amy Louise Bailey when she wrote that Waiheke was an "escape that is high-end but low-key."

I paid an extra $114 for a premium ticket on the Alaska Railroad. The value of my 4-hour train ride was incredible.

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I visited Waiheke Island, the 'Hamptons of New Zealand,' where Taylor Swift has vacationed and the ultra-rich reside. Take a look around.

Off the coast of New Zealand's capital is Waiheke Island, a 36-square-mile island home to some of the country's wealthiest residents and vacationers.

In the summer of 2022, I traveled to Waiheke to see what exactly entices affluent vacationers and residents to the island.

As the ferry departed from Auckland, the city's harbor and Sky Tower faded into the distance. A little over half an hour later, a lush, green island speckled with homes came into view.

My first stop was Mudbrick Vineyard, where I planned to do what Vogue says locals, tourists, and wealthy visitors do — sip wine.

As I pulled into the parking lot, I understood why the winery entices such remarkable names. The vineyard had grand views overlooking Te Haruhi Bay.

After visiting a celebrity-loved winery, I hoped to catch a glimpse of where the wealthy stay on Waiheke Island, too.

I headed first to Cable Bay Lane, which is home to ritzy vacation properties like Fossil Cove, the property where Lady Gaga stayed when she visited the island.

I drove down Cable Bay Lane searching for other modern mansions, luxury cars, or helipads. I should've known better. Each home was gated, and there wasn't a celebrity in sight.

After my failed mansion mission, I decided to explore one of the island's pristine public beaches instead. I walked along Little Palm Beach, which is free to visit.

With that in mind, I hopped in my car and headed to Owhanake Bay.

Thanks to the hike's high elevation, I spotted mansions Waiheke's rich and famous own.

After the hike, I headed to my Airbnb for the evening.

The next day, I continued to explore Waiheke and headed to another part of the island, Oneroa Village. It's the island's largest suburb, and home to shops, restaurants, and businesses.

This laid-back charm was across the whole island. When I first arrived on Waiheke Island, I feared I might feel out of place.

But during two days on the island, I discovered much more than hot tubs, six-car garages, and helipads. I realized that I didn't need to be a wealthy traveler to enjoy Waiheke Island.

While multimillion-dollar mansions fill Waiheke Island and glamorous vineyards sprawl for miles, the island didn't ooze only glam. I ultimately agreed with journalist Amy Louise Bailey when she wrote that Waiheke was an "escape that is high-end but low-key."