It's been featured in The New York Times '100 Top Things to See' and now it's returning for yet another year. Waiheke Island's Sculpture on the Gulf art trail will return this month, kicking off Friday, March 4 and running until Sunday, March 27. One of the few events safely able to go ahead at red during Auckland's current Omicron community outbreak, this biennial art exhibit transforms Waiheke Island's famous Matiana Coastal Walkway into an outdoor gallery, dotted with stunning sculptures and interactive works. If you're catching the Fullers360 ferry from Auckland, you can start the experience early with an onboard immersive audio experience. Just scan the QR codes on posters on your ferry to stream audio paired with a companion sculpture along the trail. Then you can school your friends and family during the walk, making you sound like a total art darling. Open from Monday - Thursday 10am – 4pm, Friday and Saturday from 9am - 6pm and Sunday from 9am – 4pm, the walk takes about 1.5-2.5 hours to complete (depending on how leisurely you take it). You can buy a full combo pass for the ferry, sculpture trail and bus to get back to the start for $62, or buy passes for entry to the sculpture trail only for $15. The kiddos are especially lucky — they get in for free. We'd recommend making a day of it: soak in the incredible views and artworks from local artists, before hitting one of Waiheke's famous vineyards for some delicious eats and drinks. Now that's a day well spent. Just don't miss your ferry home — the full timetable can be found here.
