Off the Beaten Track to... Tiritiri Matangi Island

Tiritiri Matangi Island is one of the top 25 ecological restoration projects in Australasia and open to a limited number of visitors throughout the year. During its history it has been a forest, a settled pa, farming land and home to a lighthouse once housing the brightest light in the southern hemisphere. Tiritiri Matangi is now administered as a scientific reserve, protecting the island for its wildlife, conservation, scientific, recreational and historical values. On arrival, visitors are greeted and given a briefing by a Department of Conservation ranger and a representative of the Supporters of Tiritiri Matangi.

Tiritiri Matangi ('a place tossed by the wind') was first settled by the Kawerau-A-Maki tribe. They built the pa Tiritiri Matangi, from which the island takes its name. Europeans arrived in the mid 1850s. The island was farmed continuously until the 1970s, when the last of the stock removed.

Birds, including many endangered species, have repopulated the island's replanted forest. Twelve species of endemic birds have been translocated to Tiritiri Matangi and species commonly viewed include:

What To Bring

• There is no food available for purchase on the island, so you must bring your own supplies. You can purchase cold drinks from the shop and complimentary tea/coffee is supplied at the visitor centre.
• Mountain buggies are more suitable than regular pushchairs for the majority of the tracks. The tracks are either hard surface, grass, or boardwalks, with many wooden steps. If you are bringing a pushchair be prepared to do a bit of lifting. (The pushchair can be put on the utility truck and driven up to the lighthouse for you if you wish to carry baby in a back/front pack and collect the pushchair on completion of your walk)
• Suitable clothing for the weather conditions on the day, swimming costumes and towel, sun-block and hat, raincoat, camera and binoculars.

Getting There

Tiritiri Matangi Island is an easy day trip by scheduled ferry service leaving either from downtown Auckland or Gulf Harbour. Gulf Harbour is about one hour's drive north of Auckland at the end of the Whangaparaoa Peninsula. There is free parking available at the marina from where the ferry leaves the end pier (Pier Z).

Things To Do on Tiritiri Matangi Island

• Take the scheduled ferry service from Auckland to Tiritiri Matangi (book early)
• Take a guided walk from the wharf up to the lighthouse.The shorter route (Wattle Track) takes about an hour to an hour and a half, the longer route (Kawerau Track) takes about an hour and a half to two hours. Your guide will identify the variety of birds and bird song, native trees and points of interest. For first time visitors to the island this is a must.
• View and learn more about the wildlife
• Visit the lighthouse and visitor centre
• Take some scenic walks, enjoy the views and the beaches
• Enjoy free tea and coffee at the visitor cebtre
• Head to Hobbs Beach for a swim.

More Off the Beaten Track Suggestions

If you want to discover some of New Zealand's hidden treasures, travel to some out-of-the-way places and see sites that many travellers and tourists miss out on, look at more of our 'Off the Beaten Track' suggestions.