2011 is the year of the Rugby World Cup, but it’s also the year for the re-opening of an island paradise. After more than 100 years Rotoroa Island in the Hauraki Gulf near Auckland is now open to the public again and it surely is a New Zealand destination not to be missed!
Rotoroa Island in the beautiful Hauraki Gulf is just 75 minutes by ferry from New Zealand’s biggest city, Auckland. Hauraki Gulf islands such as Waiheke Island, Tiritiri Matangi and Rangitoto already enjoy huge popularity as day trip destinations or for relaxed island getaways and Rotoroa Island is following suit. Visitors rave about the island’s unique mix of arts, heritage and conservation, all combined with stunning beaches and bush walks.
Rotoroa used to be New Zealand’s first and longest running addiction treatment centre, the history of which you can explore in the old jail house and new exhibition centre. Other heritage buildings include a 1860s school house (which was also a tea house and old buttery) and chapel.
There is excellent swimming and fishing and the free barbeque facilities make for great island picnics. If you are interested in conservation efforts you can find out more on the official Rotoroa Island website. As of now, there is no accommodation on Rotoroa Island just yet, but it will be available from summer 2012. In the meantime, there is, of course, a myriad of accommodation in Auckland or you can stay on Waiheke Island.
To get to Rotoroa Island you can charter your own boat or catch a 360 Discovery ferry on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Ferry services travel via Waiheke’s Orapiu Wharf and return tickets are NZ$55 for adults, NZ$48 for seniors, NZ$30 for children and NZ$137.50 for families from Auckland, and NZ$21 for adults, NZ$18 for seniors, NZ$13 for children and NZ$55 for families from Orapiu.
So when you’re in the Auckland region explore the latest island paradise of the Hauraki Gulf!