The beauty of Tiritiri Matangi: Part 1

These boots were made for walking, and walking they did!

One of the lovely day trips we did was to Tiritiri Matangi Island. An Open Sanctuary which has been developed to ensure the survival of many rare and endangered plant and animal species. An island sanctuary is an especially important and valuable resource as they are easier to keep free from the many predators found on mainland areas.

My Dad helped plant many of the native trees on this island many years ago now (replanting Tiritiri began in 1984 and was completed in 1994) and it was great to see how much they had become established in order for the reintroduced rarer birds to repopulate the island.

Thursday 18th March 2010...We couldn't have picked a more perfect day to go. Lovely and warm with the most perfect blue sky!

The ferry departed from Golf harbour on the Whangaparoa Peninsular at around 10am in the morning.

What could be more perfect? The island was alive with the most gorgeous birdsong.


Fabulous views from where we stopped for our lunch.

Most certainly a paradise on Earth.

Unfortunately my mum wasn't well enough to come with us on, so it was just my Dad and my MIL, fully equipped with her trusty Asda bag!

The water was so incredibly clear...

With fabulous photographic opportunities.

No fauna, shells or wildlife is to be removed from the island so I made the most of taking photos of the shells etc... Take nothing away but memories and photographs!

So much beauty!

The birds of Tiritiri Matangi to follow in the next installment.