National park · New Zealand
Tiritiri Matangi IslandTiritiri Matangi
Book the Explore ferry a week ahead (NZ$95 adult return from Auckland, 75 min), land at 10:30, walk the Wattle Track to the lighthouse and back via Hobbs Beach in 3–4 h, and take the 2:40 pm sailing home; the island caps visitors at 150 a day and sells out in summer.Book the Explore ferry a week ahead (NZ$95 adult return from Auckland, 75 min), land at 10:30 AM, walk the Wattle Track to the lighthouse and back via Hobbs Beach in 3–4 h, and take the 2:40 AM pm sailing home; the island caps visitors at 150 a day and sells out in summer.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
2 km² (1 sq mi)1 sq mi (2 km²)
approximate
Established
1980
Best months
Oct–Nov, Jan–Mar
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7
- Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
- Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
- Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
- New Zealand ↗Visa-waiver visitors need an NZeTA (with the tourism levy) before travel, including many transit passengers; others need a visa. Apply only through Immigration New Zealand or its official app, and check the rules for your passport.
- New Zealand ↗Declare all food, plant and animal products, and used outdoor gear such as hiking boots and tents, on the New Zealand Traveller Declaration; undeclared risk items bring instant fines.
- New Zealand ↗Drive on the left; give way as signed at one-lane bridges; an English-language licence or one with an approved translation or International Driving Permit is required.
- New Zealand ↗Freedom camping is restricted: sleep in a vehicle only where signed as allowed, and in many places only in certified self-contained vehicles.
At a glance
- Country
- New Zealand
- Area
- 2 km² (1 sq mi)1 sq mi (2 km²)
- 220 hectares (2.2 km²) of open sanctuary in the Hauraki Gulf, 4 km off the Whangaparāoa Peninsula (check).
- Established
- 1980
- Best months
- Oct–Nov, Jan–Mar
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Auckland
Tiritiri Matangi is a 220-hectare open sanctuary in the Hauraki Gulf, 30 km northeast of Auckland and 4 km off the Whangaparāoa Peninsula, reached only by the Explore ferry (75 minutes from downtown Auckland, 20 minutes from Gulf Harbour). Farming cleared the island last century; from the 1980s volunteers planted 250,000–300,000 trees, and roughly 60% is now forest, with the remaining 40% kept as grassland for takahē. It is one of only two scientific reserves in New Zealand open to the public, predator-free, rubbish-free and capped at 150 visitors a day. There is no gate fee: the ferry fare is the cost of entry, and the island is a day trip unless you book the DOC bunkhouse and stay for the dawn chorus.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national siteScientific reserve and open sanctuary managed by DOC with the Supporters of Tiritiri Matangi.
Size and age
2 km² (1 sq mi)1 sq mi (2 km²) · national park since 1980
220 hectares (2.2 km²) of open sanctuary in the Hauraki Gulf, 4 km off the Whangaparāoa Peninsula (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Auckland.
Why go
- One of the few places in New Zealand where you can walk among takahē, kōkako and hihi without a guide and without a fence between you and the birds.
- The island is predator-free and replanted: volunteers put in 250,000–300,000 trees from the 1980s, and about 60% of the island is now forest.
- A 75-minute ferry from downtown Auckland puts you on a working conservation project, not a theme park.
- The 1864 lighthouse is one of the oldest in the country and the tallest you can reach on foot.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprGo
- MayGo
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepGo
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecGo
- JanWarm, dry; book the ferry a week ahead
- FebSettled weather; good bird activity
- MarMild; fewer school groups
- AprCooler, calm sea; bring a jacket
- MayQuiet; some sailings cancelled in swell
- JunWet, windy; short daylight
- JulColdest; ferry may not run in rough weather
- AugWind and rain; check the sailing the day before
- SepBirds start calling more; still changeable
- OctSpring song peak; breeding season starts
- NovWarm, long days; chicks around
- DecBusy with Auckland day-trippers; book early
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Takahē on the grasslandAll year · Resident and often seen near the tracks; keep your distance and never feed them. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Hihi (stitchbird), kōkako, tīeke (saddleback), pōpokotea (whitehead)All year · Forest birds; easiest to see on the Wattle Track in the first hours after landing. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Little spotted kiwiAll year · Nocturnal; realistically only heard or seen by overnight guests. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Dawn chorusOct–Mar · Loudest in spring and early summer, before 8:00. | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Auckland city
Explore ferry from the downtown terminal; 75 min each way, one morning sailing on operating days.
1 h 15 min
Open the page →
From Gulf Harbour, Whangaparāoa Peninsula
Same ferry, 20 min from Gulf Harbour Marina; drive or bus up from Auckland first.
20 min
From Rangitoto and Motutapu
Different ferry and different island; use the Rangitoto page if you want the volcanic cone instead.
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Wharf and Hobbs Beach | Landing, beach, picnic tables and the start of the tracks. | Open to ticket-holders; toilets here. |
| Wattle Track and the lighthouse | The main forest walk, the shop, the 1864 lighthouse and the small museum. | Open; the museum opens when a volunteer is on duty (check). |
| Grassland and takahē flats | The open 40% of the island kept as grass for takahē. | Open; stay on the marked paths. |
| Scientific reserve core | Areas set aside for research and species management. | Closed to visitors. |
Sketch map
- 1Tiritiri Matangi wharf · Gate≈-36.596, 174.888Map ↗
- 2Hobbs Beach · Beach≈-36.599, 174.885Map ↗
- 3Lighthouse · Viewpoint≈-36.606, 174.897Map ↗
- 4DOC bunkhouse · Sleep≈-36.606, 174.897Map ↗
- 5Gulf Harbour Marina · Ranger station≈-36.623, 174.790Map ↗
- 6Auckland downtown ferry terminal · Town≈-36.843, 174.768Map ↗
Take the points offline
6 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Island positions from the wharf to the lighthouse; Gulf Harbour and Auckland are mainland ferry points, approximate.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Explore ferry, adult return (Auckland or Gulf Harbour) | NZD 95 (≈ US$60) | person | 2026 estimate; child return about NZ$50. Bookings essential. |
| Optional guided walk (1 hour) | NZD 10 (≈ US$6) | person | 2026 estimate; about NZ$2.50 for children. Buy it when you book the ferry. |
| Trail map brochure | NZD 1 (≈ under US$1) | item | Sold at the shop, the ferry office or on board (check). |
| DOC bunkhouse, per night | NZD 90–130 (≈ US$55–80) | person | 2026 estimate; four-room bunkhouse, bring a sleeping bag and food. Rates vary by season (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Ferry booking permit or guide
Bunkhouse booking no permit
Guided walk no permit
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- NZ$95≈ US$60
- NZ$10≈ US$6
- NZ$1≈ under US$1
- NZ$90–130≈ US$55–80
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Department of Conservation — Tiritiri Matangi Island before you go.
Park rules
- No animals
- No dogs, cats or any other animal may land; this is what keeps the island predator-free.
- No rubbish bins
- Take out everything you bring in, including food scraps and cigarette butts.
- Smoking
- Only at the wharf and the lighthouse; carry the butts home.
- Stay on the tracks
- Do not leave the marked paths or enter the scientific reserve core.
- Do not feed or handle birds
- Feeding changes behaviour and can kill takahē; keep a couple of metres back.
- Visitor cap
- 150 people a day; if the ferry is sold out, there is no walk-up option.
Where to stay
In the park
DOC Tiritiri Matangi bunkhouse
Four rooms, gas stove, fridge, BBQ and hot showers; bring a sleeping bag, pillowcase, torch and food for your stay plus a spare day.
Near the park
Auckland city
The practical base for a day trip; hotels and hostels at every level.
Near the park
Gulf Harbour and the Whangaparāoa Peninsula
Closer to the 20-minute sailing if you have a car.
Safety
Rough sea and cancelled sailings medium
No shops for food low
Sun and wind medium
Steep wharf and uneven tracks low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The wharf, shop and lighthouse area involve a climb from the landing; the Wattle Track is wide and graded but not suitable for wheelchairs.
- The guided walk covers the easier sections; ask the crew on board which route suits your group.
Visiting lightly
- Every dollar at the shop and on the guided walk goes back into the sanctuary.
- Carry out all rubbish; there are no bins anywhere on the island.
- Keep to the tracks so ground-nesting birds and seedlings are not trampled.
- Book the ferry rather than trying to land privately; the 150-visitor cap protects the birds.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Tiritiri Matangi Island?
There is no separate gate fee. You pay the Explore ferry, about NZ$95 per adult return and NZ$50 per child (2026 estimate), which includes landing on the island. An optional one-hour guided walk is about NZ$10 for adults and NZ$2.50 for children and must be bought with the ferry booking. Overnight guests pay the DOC bunkhouse rate on top.
What are the best hikes in Tiritiri Matangi Island?
The Wattle Track from the wharf to the lighthouse is the main walk, 1.5–2 hours one way through replanted forest and the best birding on the island. The Hobbs Beach Track is a shorter loop back to the wharf via the beach. Most people combine the two into a 3–4 hour circuit before the afternoon ferry.
When is the best time to visit Tiritiri Matangi Island?
October to March for warm, settled weather and the loudest bird activity, with spring (October–November) the peak for song and breeding. Summer weekends sell out, so book about a week ahead. Winter sailings are quieter but more likely to be cancelled in rough weather.
Do I need to book the ferry in advance?
Yes. The island takes a maximum of 150 visitors a day and the ferry is the only public way in. In summer and on long weekends it can sell out about a week ahead, and there is no walk-up ticket at the wharf.
Can I stay overnight on the island?
Yes, in the DOC bunkhouse, a four-room building with a gas stove, fridge, BBQ and hot showers. Bring a sleeping bag, pillowcase, torch and food for your stay plus one spare day in case the ferry is delayed. Overnight guests hear kiwi and the dawn chorus.
Can I see kiwi on a day trip?
Almost certainly not. Little spotted kiwi are nocturnal and the last ferry leaves in the afternoon. Day visitors see takahē, hihi, kōkako, tīeke and tūī; kiwi are realistic only for people staying in the bunkhouse.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go