![\"Waiheke](\"\/holiday-ideas\/wp-content\/uploads\/6y1vvZz4uzq4rLhfWlpizl\/e4efb536b24e0cc422715ef29f6b03e7\/17555-163080XL3.jpg\")
<\/figure>\nWaiheke is famed for beautiful beaches, excellent vineyards, a flourishing arts scene, good food and a climate just that little bit warmer and sunnier than Auckland. No wonder it\u2019s so popular. Waiheke is the second largest island in the Hauraki Gulf, and at a mere 35 minute ferry ride from downtown Auckland it\u2019s the most accessible. <\/p>\n\n\n
Jump on one of the frequent ferries, sit back with a drink, cruise across the Waitemata and you can see why 2000 or so of the 8700 permanent residents find the commute to Auckland quite doable thank you. The western end of the island is the most populated, with settlements and beaches at Oneroa and Palm Beach facing north, and Blackpool, Surfdale, Ostend and Rocky Bay facing south. <\/p>\n\n\n
The eastern end of the island is given over more to farmland and boutique vineyards, with the WW2 gun emplacements of Stony Batter a popular spot to visit at the north eastern tip of the island. Along with its natural beauty, Waiheke also has festivals, dance parties and events to tempt visitors throughout the year. \u201cAucklanders are said to be pleasure-loving\u201d proclaimed a brochure for the Matiatia subdivision, started in the 1920s – and 90 years on we\u2019re still flocking to the island for the perfect summer holiday combination of sun, sand, sea and bush.<\/p>\n\n\n
See holiday rentals near Waiheke Island ><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n Aotea, or Great Barrier Island defines the limit of the Hauraki Gulf, and is its largest island. Named by Captain Cook for the way it provides a protective barrier between the Pacific and the Hauraki Gulf, the island has surf on the long, white, sandy ocean beaches of the west coast, and secluded bays and coves on the east coast. 90kms NE of Auckland, \u201cThe Barrier\u201d conjures up an image of remoteness and wilderness, with its unsealed roads, forested interior, and lack of electricity. <\/p>\n\n\n The sheltered inlets are equally beloved by boaties and mussel farmers. Over 60% of the island is managed by DOC, and the regenerating kauri forest is home to rare native birds and skinks. There are great forest trails to hike, or take a mountain bike and conquer the hills. The coastline offers a wealth of spots to dive for crays and shellfish, surf, kayak, or fish. Or if you\u2019d rather just soak up the sun luxuriously, there are some surprisingly stylish holiday homes around too.<\/p>\n\n\n See holiday rentals near Great Barrier Island ><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n Over the last four centuries Kawau has been home to Ngai Tai, Ngati Manuhiri, Cornish and Welsh miners, Sir George Grey and his menagerie, (the wallabies and kookaburras remain) and more recently, holiday makers and island residents who appreciate the tranquility, bush, bird-life and beautiful bays surrounding the island. <\/p>\n\n\n Ferries and water taxis run from Sandspit Wharf, just over an hour\u2019s drive north of Auckland. There are no public roads, so take the opportunity to walk, paddle or sail round the island to visit George Grey\u2019s stately home at Mansion House Bay, or the old copper mine, or the yacht club – a good place to pick up stores or have a pint.<\/p>\n\n\n See holiday rentals near Kawau Island ><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n Rotoroa Island was NZ\u2019s first and longest running drug and alcohol addiction treatment centre. It was bought by the Salvation Army in 1907, and provided care for over 12,000 admissions until its closure in 2005. The island was completely off-limits to the public for about 100 years. Then, in 2008, philanthropists Neal and Annette Plowman negotiated a 99-year lease from the Salvation Army, and established the Rotoroa Island Trust, designed to return island access to the people of New Zealand. <\/p>\n\n\n In 2011 Rotoroa Island was opened to the public as a visitor attraction, with a great museum and a host of heritage buildings. The island also features beautiful beaches and extensive native planting. Three homes which were once occupied by staff who worked on the island have been renovated, in great 70s retro style, and since 2012 have been offered as holiday accommodation.<\/p>\n\n\n See holiday rentals near Rotoroa Island ><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n Rakino is a small, hilly island to the northeast of Motutapu. There are about 76 houses on the island, most of them holiday homes as there are only 16 or so permanent residents. There\u2019s a wharf at Sandy Bay, and some lovely, safe beaches. Visitors appreciate the quiet, with great fishing, diving, views and scenery.<\/p>\n\n\n See holiday rentals near Rakino Island ><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n Rangitoto burst from the sea in a volcanic eruption a mere 700 or so years ago. The island rises steeply, an iconic shape on Auckland\u2019s skyline, its rugged lava outcrops cloaked by NZ\u2019s largest pohutukawa forest. While you can\u2019t stay at baches here any more, it\u2019s a great day trip from Auckland: sail out and hike up to the summit for superb views of the Hauraki Gulf. <\/p>\n\n\n If walking sounds too strenuous, catch the Fullers 4WD road-train up. Rangitoto is also home to one of New Zealand\u2019s oldest bach communities. Built in the \u201820s and \u201830s, these baches give a glimpse into holidays of that period. \u201cBach 38\u201d has been restored as a museum by the Rangitoto Island Heritage Trust and can sometimes be visited. Rangitoto is connected to Motutapu Island by a causeway.<\/p>\n\n\n Story: Historic Baches on Rangitoto Island ><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n While there are no baches here, Tiritiri Matangi is a wonderful place to visit, and can be reached by ferry from downtown Auckland, or by private boat. It\u2019s a DOC-managed scientific reserve, and home to tuatara as well as rare native birds such as takahe, whiteheads, saddlebacks, kakariki, kokako, little spotted kiwi, stitchbirds, robins, rifleman and brown teal.<\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Take your pick amongst the beautiful islands of the Hauraki Gulf, and choose a holiday as ritzy or remote as you like.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2503,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[48],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2502","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-beaches","entry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
\n\n\nGreat Barrier Island (Aotea<\/a>)<\/h2>\n\n\n
\n\n\nKawau<\/a> Island<\/h2>\n\n
![\"Kawau](\"\/holiday-ideas\/wp-content\/uploads\/3lVabHNs1RJFOdRKqpH0nd\/aac7e6b1707749a0398e36449b20852f\/10701-89217XL-kawau.jpg\")
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\n\n\nRotoroa<\/a> Island<\/h2>\n\n\n
\n\n\nRakino<\/a> Island<\/h2>\n\n
![\"Rakino](\"\/holiday-ideas\/wp-content\/uploads\/5Dyi6ONLOPmQPoMTdxBrxg\/044e384713fd703703b83c0f410b636d\/rakino-photo-peter-miles.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n
\n\n\nRangitoto<\/a> Island<\/h2>\n\n\n
\n\n\nTiritiri Matangi<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n