Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
to dry out, and the Salvation Army staff who cared for them. In 2011, after 100 years,
82-hectare Rotoroa ( 0800 76 86 76; www.rotoroa.org.nz ; access fee $5) opened to the public, giving
visitors access to three sandy swimming beaches and the social history and art displays in
the restored buildings of the former treatment centre. There are also three well-appointed,
wildly retro holiday homes for rent ($375 to $650), and excellent hostel accommodation
in dorms (per person $35) in the former Superintendent's House.
Getting There & Away
360 Discovery ( 0800 360 3472; www.360discovery.co.nz ; adult/child from Auckland $49/29, from Orapiu $21/13)
From Auckland the ferry takes 75 minutes, stopping at Orapiu on Waiheke Island en
route. There are four boats per week from Labour Day in October to Easter (daily in Janu-
ary) and two boats per week over the cooler months.
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Tiritiri Matangi Island
This magical, 220-hectare, predator-free island ( www.tiritirimatangi.org.nz ) is home to the tuatara
(a prehistoric lizard) and lots of endangered native birds, including the very rare and col-
ourful takahe. Other birds that can be seen here include the bellbird, stitchbird, saddle-
back, whitehead, kakariki, kokako, little spotted kiwi, brown teal, NZ robin, fernbird and
penguins; 78 different species have been sighted in total. The saddleback was once close
to extinction, with just 150 left, but now there are more than 600 on Tiritiri alone. To ex-
perience the dawn chorus in full flight, stay overnight at the DOC bunkhouse ( 09-425 7812;
www.doc.govt.nz ; adult/child $30/20) ; book well ahead and ensure there's room on the ferry.
The island was sold to the Crown in 1841, deforested, and farmed until the 1970s.
Since 1984 hundreds of volunteers have planted 250,000 native trees and the forest cover
has regenerated. An 1864 lighthouse stands on the eastern end of the island.
Getting There & Away
360 Discovery ( 0800 360 3472; www.360discovery.co.nz ; return Auckland/Gulf Harbour $69/37; Wed-Sun)
Book a guided walk ($5) with your ferry ticket; the guides know where all the really cool
birds hang out.
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