How to travel to islands off New Zealand where adventures wait
Robinson Crusoe, The Coral Island, and Lord of the Flies are three adventures classics about shipwrecked survivors marooned on the South Pacific islands.
The islands in the far South were considered the final frontier of civilization, and teeming with mysterious beasts, they posed an ideal landscape for tales of adventure.
Although a little of these islands, especially those within New Zealand's jurisdiction, have been already been explored and conserved, their seclusion from the rest of the world still provides an almost unbridled wildness that remains a rustic charm for visitors today.
Who's up for an island get off New Zealand? Check out these seven destinations Tourism New Zealand has finished.
1. Roberton Island - Bay of Islands
Among the 144 islands that built up the 'Bay of Islands' is Roberton Island, also known as Motuarohia Island. The small atoll is a quick 20-minute boat ride from Paihia or Russell and only a 45-minute flight from Auckland.
Robertson Island is street to the luxurious Cook's Cove retreat, one of the five houses on the island. The Eco-friendly retreat also has a private sea beach with jetty access, and a helipad.
The island has a important Maori history and offers a range of recreational activities, including a walking track to an important Maori village site, as well as an educational underwater trail for snorkelers. It is also street to two crystal clear lagoons - some of the most photographed scenes along the Bay.
Travel Tips:
Air New Zealand flies four times a day from Auckland International Airport to Kerikeri Airport. The flight takes 45 minutes. The drive from Auckland International Airport to the Bay of Islands takes around 4 hours.
2. Urupukapuka - Bay of Islands
The biggest island in the Bay of Islands, idyllic Urupukapuka is a natural gem with three campsites.
Cable Bay, Sunset Bay and Urupukapuka Bay campsites are perched nicely on the beachfront and offer a great get for those who love swimming, fishing and water sports.
The pest-free island is a breeding area for brown teal / pateke ducks and NZ dotterel, preparing it ideal for birdwatchers.
Traveler can also explore ancient Maori pa sites or sign up for the Archaeological Walk, which takes participants around the island's coastline.
Travel tips:
Access to the island is only allowed by boat. Regular ferry services operate during the summer months and water taxis can be hired year-around.
3. Great Barrier Island - Auckland
Aotea, or Great Barrier Island, is the fourth biggest island off New Zealand, but only houses a population of just over 900.
Its rugged beauty and relatively untouched wilderness prepares the island a brilliant fishing spot. Those looking to rest their weary bones in natural hot springs will be satisfied.
The island also has deserted beaches with the best crashing waves for surfers and does its part in wildlife conservation with the Glenfern Bird Sanctuary.
Several accommodation options are available to travelers, ranging from campsites, backpacker hostels to the award winning Oruawharo Cottage.
Travel Tips:
Great Barrier Airlines flies from Auckland International Airport three times every day. Each flight is about 30 minutes long. Sea-link operates a passenger and vehicle ferry service. Travel their website to check sailing times.
4. Kapiti Island - Wellington
Kapiti Island is a wildlife sanctuary that stands north of Wellington off the Kapiti Coast.
A predator-free haven for birds, the island is street to the Takahe, white faced heron, among other rare avian species. The world's smallest Kiwi species, some spotted Kiwi is also an island resident. Two-thirds of the estimated 1,500 birds live only on Kapiti Island.
To travel Kapiti Island Nature Reserve, you'll need transport and a permit which can only be booked through one of three approved tourism providers.
Overnight stays can be booked through Kapiti Island Nature visits, a family-run company and the only commercial operation on the island. Visitors can joy bird and history travel, and other activities such as traditional harakeke-flax weaving weekends, seal watching, and seafood gathering.
Travel Tips:
Approved tourism operators' boats depart from the Kapiti Boating Club, an hour drive north of Wellington. Trips to the island are dependent on the weather. Contact the tourism provider on the morning of your tour for a weather check and to confirm the departure time.
5. Arapawa Homestead
The Marlborough Sounds, on the north east tip of the South Island, is famous for its Sauvignon Blanc and beauty scenery. Marlborough is holiday heaven where a temperate climate and vast, unspoiled wilderness lay grounds for indulgence and adventure.
The white beaches of Whekenui Bay is the perfect place for dolphin watching and the scenic coastline is also a hit with hikers and mountain bikers. The island was used as a base for whaling from the early 1800s and remnants of the old whaling station still remain.
Accommodation is open at the Arapawa Homestead in three options. The large homestead is the original house built in 1945 and can host up to 14 people.
Travel Tips:
Getting to Arapawa Island is easy with water taxis open from Picton or a short helicopter ride from Wellington.
6. D'Urville Island
Situated on the northern tip of the South Island, D'Urville Island is a remote paradise in the Marlborough Sounds.
Such as Arapawa, D'Urville is a haven for hikers and mountain bikers. The many tracks on the island lead visitors to sweeping views across the ocean and Marlborough Sounds. Native birds thrive on the island making it the perfect place to see tui, bellbirds, native robins, weka and kaka.
Diving is popular with travelers for the famed South Island blue cod. Dolphins and seals are frequent visitors to the island so be sure to jump in a kayak for a closer look.
D'Urville Island Wilderness Resort offers beachfront units, great access to the island's walking tracks and sits in great Catherine Cove.
Those who don't plan on staying overnight on the island may take a day trip with Reid Helicopters which depart Nelson following Tasman Bay's eastern coastline before come on D'Urville Island for a place of helicopter reef fishing. Once the fish are hauled in, visitors can hop across to a sheltered bay to cook their freshly caught fish.
Travel Tips:
Access to D'Urville Island is by chartered boat. D'Urville Island Wilderness Resort collects and returns visitors to French Pass at any time on request. French Pass is a two-and-a-half hour drive from Nelson and Picton. Reid Helicopters is a 30 minute drive south of Nelson.
7. Stewart Island
Stewart Island, the third largest of the islands in New Zealand's primary chain, is a tranquil isolated place that is often unexplored by travellers.
Lying just 30km south of the South Island cross the Foveaux Strait, the island has a permanent population of just over 350 people. The land's unique flora and fauna was normally recognized in 2002, with the establishment of Rakiura National Park, which spans most of the island's 157,000 hectares.
Many of the locals are descendants from the first Maori and European settlers, and live in the island's only settlement, Oban.
With numerous walks maintained by New Zealand's DOC, the island is a hiker's dream destination. There are more than 300km of walking tracks on the island which can vary from short easy day walks to the three-day 37km Rakiura Track - one of New Zealand's nine 'Great Walks' - inside Rakiura National Park. There are also nine to ten-day walking tracks for more seasoned hikers.
Travel Tips:
Transport choices to Stewart Island are either by ferry or flight. Ferry and helicopter services depart from Bluff and fixed-wing aircraft depart from Invercargill Airport. The ferry crossing takes approximately one hour when flights take 15 - 20 minutes.
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