Any visit to Auckland should include a trip to one one the many islands situated in the Hauraki Gulf. We've picked out our favourite Auckland Islands to visit.
Waiheke is an island suburb of Auckland and is the second largest island in the Hauraki Gulf and only 35 minutes from Auckland by ferry. The largest resident communities are mainly on the northern and southern coasts. The island has safe swimming beaches and wonderful walks with breathtaking views of the gulf. Some of Waiheke's 25 established vineyards offe... Read More
Rangitoto is always visible from the mainland and its iconic shape represents Auckland in the minds of locals and visitors alike. A mere eight kilometres northeast of the city, it has a causeway which connects it to the smaller Motutapu Island. The island has the largest Pohutukawa forest in the world and visitors can take long or short walks and enjoy the spectacular views of the H... Read More
Great Barrier Island is the largest of the Gulf islands. It's a 30 minute plane ride from Auckland or, you can choose one of the fast ferry services from Auckland's ferry terminal on Quay Street which takes around two and a half hours. Once there, the island has a range of local transport for hire. Accommodation ranges from luxury lodges to camping grounds and there are numerous act... Read More
Tirtiri Matangi Island is a picturesque wildlife sanctuary and conservation project in the Hauraki Gulf, 30 kilometres north of Auckland. See New Zealand's oldest working lighthouse, plus dozens of species of birds and trees. Tiritiri Matangi Island is a real New Zealand success story. Volunteers planted the first trees onto this previously barren landscape, in 1984. Since then, the... Read More
Kawau Island is a scenic island 50km north of Auckland in the Hauraki Gulf. The island includes plenty of sandy beaches, walking trails and wallaby-spotting! Kawau Island was named after the birds who call this island home. The island is the former residence of Sir George Grey, who built the Mansion House here in the 1860s. Visitors can wander around this magnificent bui... Read More