Tiritiri Matangi | Discover the wonders of this island in New Zealand
If you are thinking of traveling to New Zealand, you cannot miss Tiritiri Matangi. Is a paradise island located in the gulf of Harauki which is considered a bird sanctuary. ▶ Here, you take a dip in its beaches and see the rarest and most unique species in the world.
Also, it is a very exclusive place! It’s one of the most attractive points of the country which receives only 32,000 tourists a year nothing, since it is the maximum number allowed by the Auckland Conservation Strategy. ♀️ If you hurry, you can be one of them!
And, for this reason, in this article, we explain how to get there and what you can do on the island. Make it to the end and get ready to be one of the next visitors to discover what to see in Tiritiri Matangi.
How to get to Tiritiri Matangi
The way to get to Tiritiri Matangi from Auckland is to go to the Downtown Terminal to take a ferry to the island. The place is located in the Waterfront Boardwalkwhich is in the Financial District.
Specifically, at the north end of Queen Street across from the Britomart Transport Centre, which is the city’s bus and rail hub. The trip from Auckland to Tiritiri Matangi is approximately 75 minutes.
The cost of the ferry ticket varies between $52.50 and $82.00 NZL. Departures are three times a week at 9:00 am If you want more information, contact the Fuller 360 Ferry company. ⛴
Also, if you want stay on Tiritiri Matangi Island, you must book in time ⏳, since there is only one lodging and it has limited quotas for the public. Because, normally, volunteers and visiting researchers stay in the barracks.
Curious fact
Did you know that Tiritiri Matangi was chosen as a protected habitat to conserve bird life? There, a massive planting plan was implemented, placing the Pohutukawa as the main tree, which serves as a refuge for all species.
Okay, now that you know how to get there, let’s talk about something more exciting! We’ve prepared a selection for you with the coolest activities to do on this nice island in the country of Kiwi. Keep reading!
Tiritiri Matangi Day Tour
- FERRY + TOUR: $92 NZL for adults.
- TOUR ONLY: $10 NZL for adults.
With this guided tour from Viatur, you can learn about more than 23 species of seabirds that breed in the Hauraki Gulf area. Some of these are Korora (little blue penguin), Takahe (mold), Kereru (New Zealand lumberjack), Kokako (blue wadding crow) and many more.
Also, they are found 12 species of birds and 3 reptiles in danger of extinction including the prehistoric lizard, the Tuatara. Your guide tells you how to identify birds by song and where to see specific animals.
In addition, it explains the restoration process and the Tiritiri Matangi story. And, with the time you have left, it lets you explore for yourself the quiet island trails so you can take good photos and post them on Instagram.
Curious fact
Did you know that, in Maori, “Tiritiri” is a diminutive of the translation ‘thrown by the wind’? The mythology of this tribe gives it that name, because it considers that the island is the float of an ancient fishing net.
Hobbs and Kawerau Beach Tour
Something to do on the island is the route of the first track, which goes from the pier to Hobbs Beach and it lasts 10 minutes. When you reach the end of the route, you will come across the exhibition show of the Kererū, the New Zealand native pigeons.
Here, you can have a picnic or swim on a hot summer day. ♂️ If not, you can admire the best views of the Whangaparoa Peninsula at sunset.
But don’t be distracted for a second! Stay tuned to observe the landscape, because perhaps you can see little penguins on one side of the track.
On the other hand, the Kawerau track runs from the northern part of Hobbs Beach to Ridge Road. ♀️ This walk lasts between 30 and 40 minutes, and the route consists of a promenade passing through some of the oldest bushes on the island.
There are several Pōhutukawa around and a large pūriri tree full of holes made by generations of Pūriri moths. The walk has many steps, so be careful! ⚠
Curious fact
Did you know that “Hobbs” is the surname of the family that farmed the island of Tiritiri Matangi for many years?
Tiritiri Matangi Lighthouse
Once you arrive on the island, one of the most popular tourist sites is the Tiritiri Matangi lighthouse, which is considered the best preserved in all of New Zealand. It is owned by Maritime New Zeland, who currently operate it.
It was built in 1864 and its light was turned on for the first time on January 1, 1865. In addition, it was automated in 1925 using a rotating acetylene spotlight. It is made of cast iron and is powered by solar energy.
On this same site, you can take a tour of the visitor center and gift shop where you find the best souvenirs. Thus, you never forget the creatures you saw on Tiritiri Island.
After a long walk to the famous Tiritiri Matangi lighthouse, you can take a break for lunch. But do not worry! You’ll still have plenty of time to explore the rest of the island on your own afterwards.
Curious fact
Did you know that the Tiritiri Matangi lighthouse is one of the oldest in New Zealand that is still in operation? In its time, it even had the most powerful light in the world with a range of 58 nautical miles.
Well, we have reached the end of this article , but we hope you decide to visit one of the most ecological places in the world. The only risk of walking around Tiritiri Matangi is that you want to stay in Auckland, but that’s not a bad thing at all.
The city of candles has more incredible places to visit. Also, you can take the opportunity to study english in auckland and work part time. Because, if you didn’t know, you can get a job as a student in New Zealand!
Does the idea excite you? So don’t miss out on the experiences of our friends at GrowPro! They take you to study and work abroad, because they offer you the best English courses in Auckland.
Check these courses to study English in Auckland and take the next step to travel to New Zealand!
Well, now you know what Tiritiri Matangi has to offer, so pack your bags and discover this 21st century Eden! It doesn’t matter if you spend a few days in Auckland as long as you take a little getaway to the island. So buy your ticket and land on this bird sanctuary.
