We are very blessed here in Auckland to have so many beautiful island’s to explore. In the warmer months, Auckland’s islands are a popular getaway for Aucklanders, book in advance if you’re planning on staying the night to keep from being disappointed.
The islands are a great retreat and many have beautiful beaches and walks. Waiheke Island is the place to go for wine, Great Barrier Island has an awesome laid back, island vibe with little cell phone coverage and few shops, whereas Kawau and Tiritiri Matangi Island make great day trips from the mainland.
Here is a list Auckland’s five best islands to visit and things to do there.
Great Barrier Island
This remote and isolated island has a laid back vibe. This island has lots of amazing beaches, many that you’ll have all to yourself, beautiful waterfalls that you can jump off from the top, deep saltwater rock pools to relax in, native bush walks (the best way to explore the island), and lots of friendly locals. The island runs on solar power or generators and you won’t find great cell phone coverage here so kick back and enjoy the beautiful scenery – it’s not hard to find.
While you’re visiting, you have to visit the Kaitoke thermal pools, it’s just a short hours walk, being your togs and enjoy and nice warm dip.
The best way to get to Great Barrier Island is from SeaLink – it’ll be a four and a half hour journey on the car ferry or a two-hour passenger ferry from downtown Auckland. Stay for at least a week, you won’t want to leave.
Hooked on Barrier tours – the 3-4 hour West Coast Sightseeing experience is great! You’ll have a barbeque lunch and pass islands.
Beaches:
Gooseberry Flat Beach – surrounded by beautiful pohutukawa trees, this lovely sandy beach is sure to delight. If you’re there at low tide, walk across the rocks, discover the rock pools and then head around to Pa Beach.
Medlands Beach – this is the most popular beach on Great Barrier Island. white sand beach
Kaitoke Beach – a great beach to explore with a deep rock pool to swim in at the southern end and nice swell for the surfers.
Awana Beach – white sand, great surf
Harataonga Bay –
Calm bays – Palmers Beach and Tryphena
Walk:
Station Rock Lookout – steep uphill 20min walk with great a great view
Kaitoke Hot Springs Walk – come here to soak in a nice pool of naturally warm water, there’s a picnic bench to have lunch on. You’ll want to keep your head above water to keep from getting Amoebic Meningitis. Location: Whangaparapara Road. Time: 2hr return
Whalers’ Lookout
Harataonga Coastal Walkway
Or climb Mt Hobson on the South Fork Track, it takes three hours but the views of the Hauraki Gulf are breathtaking.
Warren Track – cool off at the swimming holes along the way. 30 min
Waiheke
Waiheke is known for its world-class wineries and stunning sandy beaches, it’s a popular destination for a weekend getaway from the busy Auckland life. You can either bring your car over, rent a car or scooter or bus around.
Beaches:
- Onetangi
- Palm Beach
- Little Oneroa
- Man O’War Bay
Walks:
- Fisherman’s Rock Path (1.6km) – stunning views, picnic spots, rocks to explore and lots of stairs will take you up to see some great views. You’ll start at Little Oneroa beach, find the track on the right. At Fisherman’s Cove you can explore the rocks at low tide, right around the headland. Back at Little Oneroa beach, enjoy a picnic or BBQ and let the kids have a play on the playground or go for a swim.
- Cross Island Walkway – a 3km walk from Onetangi to Rocky Bay.
Tiritiri Matangi Island
Tiritiri Matangi is a haven for bird lovers. Tiritiri is a protected island for endangered species which allows plenty of bird watching opportunities. There is also a 150-year-old lighthouse (the oldest operating lighthouse in New Zealand, first lit 1865), walking tracks, beaches and views. Hobbs Beach is only a 10-minute walk away from the ferry, it’s a great spot for a picnic and swim. There are 90 minute guided tours if you’d like to learn a little bit more about the place. Tiritiri makes a great day trip if you love birds, lighthouses and walks.
Bring plenty of water, snacks and lunch as there are no stores or cafes on the island.
Rotoroa Island
Visit the interactive museum and exhibition centre before heading off. You can easily explore the island in a day, otherwise make a relaxing weekend of it. You can stay in a holiday home or at the backpacker hostel.
Kawau Island
If you’ve got a little extra time jump aboard the largest water mail run in the Southern Hemisphere and explore the coastline of the island on the Royal Mail Run Cruise. You can either enjoy a BBQ lunch on board or bring a picnic to enjoy by the grand Mansion House.
Though it can be explored in a day, if you’d like to stay the night there are a few places to stay on the island and there are about 100 locals.
Governor George Grey brought Kawau Island and owned it from 1862 – 1888. In this time the island really flourished. The Governor brought lots of exotic plants and animals such as zebra, monkeys and wallabies. Though a lot of that has now gone, wallabies and peacocks still remain.
Sir George Grey transformed the 20-year-old house which was previously lived in by the manager of the copper mine into a mansion. He added 20 more rooms to the original 10. You can now view the mansion today and walk through the halls and many rooms. Walk range from 10 mins to 2 hours.
Eat: there are lots of picnic areas and a BBQ. Kawau Beach house (dinner), Mansion House Cafe (lunch/dinner), and Kawau Boating Club (9am – late, summer only).
