If you haven’t yet visited the Headland Sculpture on the Gulf exhibition on Waiheke Island, you are missing out. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the biennial event which features work from 30 artists.
Headland runs from 25 January to 17 February and is open daily from 8.30am. The trail is 2.5km long, and winds around the Matiatia headland. Walking the trail is always a great experience as the coastal scenery and views towards Auckland are stunning. During the Headland event, the combination of scenery and large-scale contemporary sculptures is a spectacular sight.
The track itself is a relatively easy track to walk and is suitable for most levels of fitness. It is deceptively easy towards the beginning of the trail, however it narrows, becomes steeper and includes a number of steps in places, as such, it is not a track to attempt with the baby buggy.
Our tips for the walk include: take water and refreshments, wear sunscreen & a hat as there is not a great deal of shade, or you can even hire a parasol from the Matiatia pavilion for $5 to use during your walk. Wearing sensible footwear usually goes without saying, but many chose to wear light footwear such as sandals or similar which comes in useful for the one exhibit where you must remove footwear to enter.
Shuttle buses, at a cost of $5 adult and $2.50 child, are operating between the Matiatia Bay pavilion and the end of Nick Johnstone Drive, which is the start of the walk. Exhibition catalogues cost $5 and are available from both locations.
The trail finishes down at the Matiatia pavilion where a much-welcome cold drink can be bought. The pavilion also offers food, live entertainment, art gallery, gift shop, and regular discussions with the exhibiting artists will be held. The pavilion is open daily throughout the exhibition from 8.30am-5.30pm Monday to Wednesday, with longer opening hours from 8.30am-10.30pm Thursday to Saturday and 8.30am-8.30pm on Sunday.
If you have time to spare after your walk, visit Oneroa Village; coinciding with the Headland event is Sculpt Oneroa, an installation of 19 sculptures scattered throughout the village. Sculpt Oneroa runs from 18 January to 18 February. Information brochures showing locations are available from shops in Oneroa and at the i-Site information centre.
