Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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 January) and two boats per week over the cooler months.
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Tiritiri Matangi Island
tuatara (a prehistoric lizard) and lots of endangered native birds, including the very rare
and colourful takahe. Other birds that can be seen here include the bellbird, stitchbird,
saddleback, whitehead, kakariki, kokako, little spotted kiwi, brown teal, NZ robin, fern-
bird 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 experience the dawn chorus in full flight, stay overnight at the
DOC bunk-
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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Motuora Island
Halfway between Tiritiri Matangi and Kawau, Motuora has 80 predator-free hectares and
is used as a kiwi 'crèche'. There's a wharf on the west coast of the island, but you'll need
