Best of New Zealand: Tiritiri Matangi Island

Описание: Set 30 kilometers northeast of Auckland, an 80-minute ferry ride transports you to Tiritiri Matangi Island—a conservation triumph and bird lover’s paradise. Once farmed for generations and stripped of its native vegetation, the island was designated a nature reserve in 1984. Since then, decades of reforestation and ecological restoration have transformed it into a predator-free haven teeming with life.

A Conservation Success Story
The eradication of the Polynesian rat in the 1990s allowed bird populations to flourish.Today, nearly 90 bird species call the island home, including about a dozen translocated from other parts of New Zealand. Featured species include the Kereru (New Zealand Pigeon), Tieke (North Island Saddleback), Toutouwai (North Island Robin), Korimako (Bellbird), Takahe, and Kuera (Brown Quail).


Historic Beacon of the Island
The Tiritiri Lighthouse, built in 1864, is New Zealand’s oldest and best-preserved lighthouse. Still operational, its beam reaches over 20 nautical miles and once held the title of the most powerful lighthouse in the southern hemisphere.

A Limited-Access Experience
With visitor numbers capped at just over 30,000 annually, the island offers a peaceful, uncrowded experience. Walking tracks wind through regenerating forest and coastal views, offering close encounters with rare birds and glimpses of the island’s rich history.

A day trip to Tiritiri Matangi is more than an escape from the city—it’s a journey into New Zealand’s ecological resilience, where birdsong fills the air and history stands tall on the cliffs.