Tiritiri Matangi Island Day Trip from Auckland with Optional Guided Walk
8 hours (Approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English
Overview
Secure a limited ticket to Tiritiri Matangi island, a protected sanctuary for rare and endangered bird species of New Zealand. A 75-minute ferry ride across the Hauraki Gulf brings you to the island preserve, where you have the day to stroll the trails and enjoy the coastline after a ranger orientation. Gain a deeper understanding of Tiritiri Matangi’s role in preserving birdlife with an optional 1.5-hour guided hike.
- Full-day trip to the bird sanctuary on Tiritiri Matangi Island from Auckland
- Join a 1.5-hour guided walk to learn about the bird life and history of Tiritiri Matangi Island
- Have plenty of free time to walk the island’s peaceful trails at your leisure
- Enjoy informative displays and complimentary coffee and tea at the Visitor’s Center
Don't miss an opportunity to visit Tiritiri Matangi island, where numbers of visitors are limited in order to protect the island’s wildlife. Ride a 75-minute ferry from Auckland across the Hauraki Gulf to Tiritiri Matangi, a predator-free open sanctuary that’s home to many endangered native birds found in New Zealand.
You’ll have about five hours total on the island. First, listen to a ranger discuss environmental recovery efforts since 1984, which have helped re-establish 12 endangered native bird species and 3 reptile species, including the rare tuatara (a prehistoric lizard).
Opt for an in-depth island tour to learn about resident birds and other wildlife. During the 1.5-hour walk, a guide teaches you to identify various birdcalls. Finish the tour at the visitor center where you can browse through informative exhibits while sipping complimentary tea and coffee.
Alternatively, spend your time exploring the island’s walking trails on your own. Perhaps stop by the lighthouse and, in warmer months, head to Hobbs beach for a swim before the ferry ride back to Auckland.
You’ll have about five hours total on the island. First, listen to a ranger discuss environmental recovery efforts since 1984, which have helped re-establish 12 endangered native bird species and 3 reptile species, including the rare tuatara (a prehistoric lizard).
Opt for an in-depth island tour to learn about resident birds and other wildlife. During the 1.5-hour walk, a guide teaches you to identify various birdcalls. Finish the tour at the visitor center where you can browse through informative exhibits while sipping complimentary tea and coffee.
Alternatively, spend your time exploring the island’s walking trails on your own. Perhaps stop by the lighthouse and, in warmer months, head to Hobbs beach for a swim before the ferry ride back to Auckland.
Itinerary
When you arrive at the island, you’ll receive an orientation from the ranger. You can then opt to take a 1.5 hour guided walk where you'll learn from your guide about the island's bird life, history and environmental restoration. The guided walk is recommended for an in-depth introduction to the island's birds, other wildlife, and history, or you can choose to spend the whole day exploring the island on your own.
The predator-free island is home to many endangered native birds, including the colorful and rare takahe. Other birds that can be found here include the stitchbird, saddleback, bellbird, brown teal, whitehead, kakariki, kokako, New Zealand robin, fernbird and penguins. Once deforested, the island has been recovering since 1984, when hundreds of volunteers started planting 300,000 native trees. Since then, 12 endangered native bird species and 3 reptile species, including the rare tuatara (a prehistoric lizard), have been re-established in the sanctuary. Your guide will give you tips about the best spots to see specific animals and how to identify the birdcalls that you will hear.
Admission Ticket Included
Your guide will finish the tour at the visitor center where you can browse through informative exhibits. Free tea and coffee is provided at the center and there are plenty of tables where you can eat your lunch (not sold on the island, please bring your own).
Afterward, you can relax around the Visitor Center and check out the lighthouse, built circa 1864 and once the brightest lighthouse in the southern hemisphere. Or explore the walking trails that wind throughout the island, with varying choices for different fitness levels. In warmer months, head to Hobbs beach for a swim. You’ll have about five hours total on the island, with plenty of time to explore and see some of New Zealand's rarest animal life. Numbers of visitors are limited in order to protect the wildlife in the open sanctuary. Don't miss this chance to visit magical Tiritiri!
Admission Ticket Free
Traveler Photos
Traveler Tips
- "If you're not familiar with birds in New Zealand, it's best to have a guide." See review
- "While we saw considerable wildlife, be aware this is not a zoo and so the birds can be hard to spot although the guide was very helpful in spotting them." See review
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Product code: 6195TIRITIRI
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