Stewart Island
Kapiti Island
Kawau Island
Go for: Culture, and stately history
Originally settled by early migrations of Maori people and then purchased as a private residence by Sir George Grey, one of New Zealand’s first governors, Kawau Island is now a must-visit island offering unusual history, fishing, swimming and boating.
Just an hour and a half from Auckland in the North Island, visitors can take ferries or water taxis from Sandspit Wharf near Warkworth. A major feature of the island is the historical, stately, Mansion House that stands alone in a secluded sunny bay with an extensive garden containing exotic plants and animals from all over the world such as wallabies and peacocks.
From the mansion, visitors can head to the walking tracks leading through the regenerating native forest to beaches, Maori pa sites and old copper mines.
Getting there: Catch a ferry or water taxi from Sandspit, near Warkworth (about one and a half hour’s drive from Auckland).
Waiheke Island
White Island
Motiti Island
Bay of Islands
