Guided Walks

When you visit Tiritiri Matangi you have the option of taking a guided walk from the wharf up to the Visitor Centre (next to the lighthouse). For first-time visitors especially, this will greatly enhance your enjoyment of the island.

Tiritiri Matangi Island – A Model of Conservation.  With 220 ha, uninhabited except for the 2 DOC rangers, there is much to see and learn.  Our guides will tell you intriguing true stories about the rare birds, plants, and animals you’ll see and hear, identify archaeological sites, show you traces of the early settlement of the island, point out the remains of wartime co-occupation, introduce you to the oldest continuously operating lighthouse in the country and the associated historic buildings necessary to the supporting of marine safety.  All along the way, you’ll be seeing the results of a world-wide first; learning how community conservation got started, and how the sanctuary became what it is today.

We can cater for group travel with tours customised to fit the goals and needs of your party. Get in touch and let us know how many are in your group, what special interests they have (e.g. birdlife, native plants, conservation, reforestation, lighthouse/maritime history) and when you plan to visit. We will create a specialist guided walk that will excite your clients and be great for your business. Please email shop@tiritirimatangi.org.nz

Three routes are used for guided walks:

Wattle Track - up to 1.5 hours

This walk goes through replanted bush where the canopy is still low, which means you have a good chance of seeing birds close up. There are water troughs and sugar water feeding stations, which are popular spots with the birdlife.

Kawerau Track - up to 2.5 hours

This is a varied walk that takes in the coastline, replanted bush and also an area of original bush which has some very old trees. From the top of the island there are views across the Hauraki Gulf.

Moana Rua Route/Coast to Coast - about 2 hours

This walk requires a reasonable level of fitness due to some steep sections along the way. It showcases the island’s position in the Hauraki Gulf, taking in both coastlines as well as replanted bush.

“Fabulous Island – wonderful guide.
The guided walk on the Island was the best $10 we have spent on our holiday. The guides to this superb nature reserve are all volunteers and have a deep passion for the island together with extensive knowledge of the flora and fauna. Special thanks to Sahrah our guide who took time to show us so many interesting features. Her enthusiasm and energy were infectious. Would highly recommend this tour (be sure to book the guided walk at the time of booking the boat tickets .. it’s on the same web site but slightly tricky to find!).”
David B
Quote from Tripadvisor, January 2024
“Fabulous trip. Don’t miss it!
From beginning to end this was one of the best trips I have ever done. Wonderful guides Stacey and Pam shared their knowledge of plants and birds along with the fascinating history of Tiritiri Matangi. I took a UK friend and it was my third trip. It surprised me that it still exceded all my expectations and I learnt and saw so many new things! While my friend has more to see in NZ, I am confident it will be amongst her highlights. Highly recommend it especially with a volunteer guide.”
PippaJ60
Quote from Tripadvisor, February 2024
“Fantastic bird sanctuary run by volunteers.
I’ve had a fantastic day. A small island turned into bird sanctuary heaven. Our guide was amazing. Worth payjng the small sum of $10nz for a guided tour. The guides know where the opportunity to see wildlife is the greatest, they can tell you a lot about the island and how it was turned into a sanctuary for rare species. Loved it. Great day trip. Suggest you book in advance. Make sure you bring water/drinks and lunch. You get free tea/coffee at the lighthouse and there’s a lovely souvenir shop which they rely on as all goes back into the care of the island.”
EdR_12
Quote from Tripadvisor, March 2024

Book Your Tour...

  • Guided walks – bookings for guided walks are made with Explore at the time that you book your ferry ticket – phone 0800 397 567. Although we maybe able to accommodate people on the day, to avoid disappointment it is advised that you book your guided walk prior to arriving on the island. You’ll be in a group of up to 12 people, depending on which walks are available for us to guide. Guided walks generally begin shortly after disembarking the ferry, after the Ranger’s biosecurity briefing.
The three tracks we guide are Wattle (1.5 hours), Moana Rua (2 hours) and Kawerau (2.5 hours)
  • Specialist guided walks – you book directly with us, and we provide a specialist guide for birding, photography or flora, depending upon your interest. We can guide on one of the three tracks in our concession, whichever is best suited to your interests. These are private tours with just your party, and generally begin shortly after disembarking the ferry. Email shop@tiritirimatangi.org.nz for more details and prices.

 

  • Walks you can do by yourself – you can choose to ‘free range’ on the island, following the clearly marked tracks and roads. Maps are available for purchase on the ferry or in the shop on the island.
Book with Explore

How to become a guide

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer guide, please contact guiding@tiritirimatangi.org.nz. In your email, please include a little bit of information about yourself and why you are interested in becoming a guide. 

Guides have to undertake training and must have a reasonable level of fitness.