No airport queues. No passport. No packing stress.
Just a ferry ride away, Auckland's island backyard offers everything from dark sky stargazing and wildlife encounters to volcanic adventures, beach walks and classic Kiwi holiday nostalgia. Whether you're planning a weekend escape or a day trip, the Hauraki Gulf islands deliver a world of experiences all waiting across the sparkling waters of the Hauraki Gulf.
Even better, many of these special places are protected, restored and cared for by Auckland Council’s conservation programmes, helping ensure future generations can enjoy them too.
Stay a little longer on Waiheke Island
Why not venture beyond the city centre and take a trip to Waiheke?
Waiheke might be famous for its vineyards and beaches, but there's plenty more to discover beyond the cellar doors.
The island is one of Auckland's easiest island getaways, with regular ferry services from downtown Auckland. Best of all, Aucklanders can simply tap on using their AT HOP card and be there in around 35 minutes.
Once you've arrived, swap city streets for the spectacular Te Ara Hura Walk, a 100-kilometre network of tracks linking beaches, native bush, heritage sites and some of the island's most breathtaking viewpoints. It's one of the best ways to discover a side of Waiheke beyond the postcard-perfect beaches.
Families can make a beeline for Tawaipareira Reserve, a local board project that has become one of the island's premier outdoor recreation spaces. With its skatepark, pump track, basketball court, flying fox, barbecue shelter and cultural design elements created alongside local iwi, it's the perfect place to burn off energy and enjoy an afternoon.
Children will love the flying fox at Tawaipareira Reserve.
If conservation is more your style, explore the work being done through Love Our Wetlands Waiheke, a community-led restoration project that has planted more than 78,000 native trees across the island since 2015, helping restore precious wetland habitats and creating healthier environments for native wildlife.
Whether you're hiking, swimming, cycling or simply soaking up the slower pace, Waiheke delivers a staycation that feels a world away from the city.
Read more on the Waiheke ferry timetables.
Go off grid on Aotea / Great Barrier Island
Have you visited Aotea / Great Barrier Island? It has some of the most beautiful sights in the entire region.
For those craving a true escape Aotea / Great Barrier Island is hard to beat, delivering wilderness in abundance.
The largest island in the Hauraki Gulf sits on Auckland's outer edge and feels wonderfully wild, with rugged coastlines, forest-covered hills, unsealed roads and a slower pace of life. It feels a world away from city life, despite being just a ferry or short flight from Auckland.
For a unique stay, book one of the council-managed accommodation options at Glenfern Sanctuary Regional Park; historic Fitzroy House or nearby Glenfern Cottage both offer a base for exploring the sanctuary; better still, every booking helps support conservation work within the sanctuary.
This is just some of the stunning views you can get at Glenfern Sanctuary, book in your accommodation for the upcoming summer period.
Days here are best spent outdoors exploring forest tracks and discovering some of Aotearoa's rarest wildlife. Glenfern provides habitat for species including the chevron skink, black petrel (tāiko) and brown teal (pāteke), all thriving within this protected sanctuary.
When the sun goes down, the real magic begins; look up!
Aotea is internationally recognised as a Dark Sky Sanctuary, making it one of the world's best places for stargazing. On a clear night you'll see more stars than you ever thought possible, with some of the best views of the Milky Way stretching overhead, all thanks to efforts by the local community, mana whenua and local board to protect the island's night sky.
It's the kind of experience that reminds you just how special Auckland's island backyard really is.
There are more islands to explore, and not every island getaway requires packing an overnight bag.
Rangitoto Island
Auckland's youngest volcano is a must-do day trip.
Climb to the summit for panoramic views across the gulf, explore lava caves and wander through the world’s largest pōhutukawa forest.
Rangitoto is also home to one of Auckland's most fascinating holiday stories. The island's historic bach community, established in the 1920s and 1930s, provides a glimpse into a bygone era of simple Kiwi summers. Several of these cherished baches have been restored to preserve this unique chapter of Auckland history.
Read more on the Rangitoto ferry timetable.
Motutapu Island
Connected to Rangitoto by a causeway, Motutapu combines farming history, archaeological sites, beaches and excellent walking tracks.
It's particularly popular with walkers, mountain bikers and history buffs looking to explore one of the gulf's largest islands.
Rotoroa Island
Part conservation sanctuary, part outdoor gallery, Rotoroa offers an unforgettable day out.
Visitors can explore beautiful beaches, walking tracks, wildlife restoration projects and public artworks while learning about the island's remarkable transformation into a predator free haven where visitors can encounter native birds while enjoying peaceful coastal walks; a conservation success story.
Tiritiri Matangi Island
For wildlife enthusiasts, few places compare.
This internationally recognised conservation success story is home to some of New Zealand's rarest native birds, including takahē, kōkako, tīeke (saddleback) and hihi (stitchbird). Walking tracks criss-cross the island, making bird-spotting easy even for first-time visitors.
Kawau Island
Once home to Governor George Grey, Kawau offers a fascinating mix of history, nature and coastal scenery.
Explore beautiful bays, native bush walks and the remains of historic Mansion House, a fascinating glimpse into Auckland's colonial history.
Many visitors arrive by ferry or private boat to explore the island.
The islands that protect our rarest wildlife
Not every island is open for casual visits.
Some of the gulf's most important conservation sanctuaries have restricted access to protect vulnerable native species and fragile ecosystems.
These include:
Hauturu / Little Barrier Island, one of New Zealand's most important nature reserves, with tightly controlled visitor access
Mokohinau Islands, a remote wildlife sanctuary and haven for seabirds
These smaller conservation islands and reserves scattered throughout the gulf play a vital role protecting threatened species.
Many can only be accessed by private boat or special permit, helping ensure these natural treasures remain protected.
Protecting paradise starts with you
The Hauraki Gulf islands are home to some of Auckland's most significant native wildlife and ecosystems.
Auckland Council works alongside mana whenua, community groups and conservation organisations to protect these environments through programmes supported under the Regional Pest Management Plan (RPMP).
Visitors also play an important role.
Before travelling between islands, remember to:
- Check. Clean. Close.
- Check clothing, footwear, bags and outdoor gear for soil, seeds, insects and pests.
- Clean equipment thoroughly before travelling
- Dry items thoroughly before heading to your next destination.
Boaties should also be aware of marine risk pests. Unwanted organisms can spread on hulls, anchors, fishing gear and water sport equipment, threatening the gulf’s unique marine ecosystems.
A few simple actions can make a huge difference.
Your island adventure starts at the ferry terminal
The downtown ferry terminal in Auckland's city centre is your direct gateway to the Hauraki Gulf.
From stargazing on Aotea and walking the Te Ara Hura trail on Waiheke to scaling Rangitoto's volcanic summit or spotting rare wildlife on Tiritiri Matangi, Auckland's islands offer adventures for every kind of explorer.
They are the jewels in Auckland's crown, and through ongoing conservation, restoration and pest management efforts, we're protecting them so everyone can continue to enjoy them.
All that's left to do is grab your walking shoes, tap on with your HOP card, and choose your own adventure. The experience you're looking for is closer than you think.