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Waiheke Island It is an emerald green jewel in the harbour, offering vineyards, olive groves, artists and beautiful beaches. The largest and most populated of Auckland’s inner gulf islands is 12 miles away and 35 minutes by passenger ferry from Downtown Auckland. Even just for a short holiday escape, it is possible to experience a huge range of activities or just relax on Waiheke Island. It is surrounded by smaller islands: Motuihe, Motutapu, Rakino, the rocky Noises and Pakatoa, Ponui and Rotoroa in the South. to map ▲ |
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Rangitoto Island New Zealand’s newest volcano, where you still can see the traces of the last eruption. About 98% of this roughly circular island about 5km across is made up of dark basaltic lava, with the highest, scrub covered cinder cone standing 259m above the waves below. It is a botanical gem with its unique pohutukawa and red rata, and is famous for exhibiting epiphytes (tree perching plants) that grow on the ground and sub alpine moss cushions that grow at sea level. An easy one hour hike to the summit is rewarded with breathtaking views of the Hauraki Gulf and Auckland City skyline. to map ▲ |
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Motutapu Island Connected to Rangitoto by causeway but in all other respects totally different, Motutapu Island is run as a farm park, offering a chance for visitors to view the routine of farming life at close quarters against the island backdrop. The name is translated Sacred Island and is thought to have come from the first Polynesian explorers who named if after the last island they saw al they left Hawaii. A wide range of evidence of Maori settlement has survived in the rural conditions of the island. to map ▲ |
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Tiritiri Matangi
Island A picturesque open bird sanctuary for endangered species. Discover the subtropical rainforest of New Zealand and listen to the sound of the original inhabitants, e.g. the song of a bellbird. In 1865 the 30m high lighthouse was completed after two years of hard work, during which bullocks were used o haul materials to the site. A wealthy philanthropist donated the present light which is still one of the most powerful in the world. Today, about one-third of the island is lighthouse reserve but the remainder is a scientific reserve. to map ▲ |
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Great Barrier
Island a large, partly forested island in the edge of the park, has opportunities for camping and a range of walks and tramps. On Great Barrier Island the basement rocks are exposed in the northern part and include ancient conglomerates containing rare fossils about 140 million years old. On it volcanoes were spewing forth rhyolite, an acidic lava which is more viscous and faster flowing than the basaltic lava if the Auckland cones. to map ▲ |
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Kawau Island It is situated 8 km off the Rodney coast, north of Auckland. It is the most historic of the reserves within the Maritime Park and it’s a favourite haunt of boaties who either sail out for the day or anchor for a Holiday in one of the sheltered beaches. The most important part is the area around Manison House. The former tribes were notorious for their warlike natures and battles often started in the shark fishing grounds. Human bones, the grisly traces of cannibal fests, could be seen until recently at Bostanquet Bay, on the southern coast. The most famous owner of Kawau was New Zealand’s Governor, Sir George Grey, who bought the island for 3700 Pounds in 1862. The famed Manison House was built in Momona Bay, later to be renamed Manison House Bay. He also planted exotic plants in the gardens like the Brazilian palms, Indian rhododendrons and deodars to Australian gums, Mediterranean olives and oleanders, agaves, English oaks and elms and fruit trees. He also liberated exotic animals and birds on the island. to map ▲ |
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