Kawau Island

Towards the northern edge of the Hauraki Gulf yet only a short ferry ride from the mainland near Warkworth, lies tranquil Kawau Island, an island steeped in colonial history. Inhabited originally by the Maori there are many remnants today that remind us of their presence. Fortified pa sites, terraces, storages pit and middens or rubbish dumps point to an extensive occupation of the island.

In 1862 the island was purchased by Governor Grey, New Zealand’s first governor, who undertook extensive work not only in the building of his mansion residence but also in the preparation of the surrounding gardens in which he introduced many exotic species of flora and fauna including Brazilian palms, rhododendrons from India, English oaks and elms, South African zebras, monkeys and antelope.

Today several of these species survive most notably wallabies, kookaburras, parakeets and peacocks. Visitors can tour the mansion house which has been restored to reflect the period of Grey’s ownership and take walks in the extensive parklands of native and introduced forests. Other points of interest on the island include the ruins of an old copper mine works marked by the brick chimney at south cove and the smelting house where ore was turned into copper ingots. A ferry provides a regular service from Sandspit (near Warkworth).

There are plenty of excellent hotels to select from, and when you decide on your destination, then there are hotels Auckland is well known for that will meet your accommodation requirements.