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<h1>New Zealand Islands Travel Guide on Stewart Island, Great Barrier, Waiheke,
Hauraki Gulf, Kapiti & Ulva, and visitor resource for lodgings, cottages,
motels, hotels, kayaking, walking, hiking, & camping.</h1>
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<b>Great Barrier Island</b> is a peaceful and relaxed paradise catering for
those who enjoy nature, white sandy beaches and an unhurried island lifestyle.
Situated 90 km from Auckland, Great Barrier Island is the furthermost island
in the Hauraki Gulf, and largest measuring over 40 km in length. Tryphena
is the southernmost settlement, the terminus for 65 km of roads which link
the different villages. <a href="http://www.islands.co.nz/bobstours/">Scenic
bus tours</a> depart everyday to let you see Great Barrier Island. Over half
Great Barrier Island is administered by the Department of Conservation as
recreational park. <br>
<br>
Walking tracks on Great Barrier Island range from short easy walks, to day
hikes including overnight <a href="http://www.islands.co.nz/camping/">camping</a>.
Other activities include <a href="http://www.islands.co.nz/sea-kayaking/">kayaking.
</a>Native birdlife unique to Great Barrier Island is found throughout, and
exploring the rugged wilderness allows visitors the opportunity to get back
to nature. Also popular is a visit to the natural thermal <a href="http://www.islands.co.nz/hot-pools/">hot-springs</a>
suitable for bathing. <br>
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A haven of peace and tranquillity, Great Barrier Island's unspoiled white
sandy beaches offer excellent swimming, surfing and snorkelling. Coastal waters
include many sheltered inlets to explore by <a href="http://www.islands.co.nz/islandkayak/">kayaks</a>
or boat. The clear waters of the outer Hauraki Gulf make it one of the most
extraordinary aquatic recreation areas in the world. Water clarity is commonly
between 15 and 20 metres, and over a hundred different fish species inhabit
the waters. <br>
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An ideal place for a holiday visit, Great Barrier Island's local residents
often exhibit a refreshing simplicity and untroubled approach to life. If
you love the wilderness and getting back to nature, Great Barrier Island is
the perfect holiday destination.<br>
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<b>Stewart Island</b> (the southern-most) provides visitors with a range of
activities including hiking, kayaking, <a href="http://www.islands.co.nz/fishing-stewart-island/">fishing</a>
and <a href="http://www.islands.co.nz/guided-tours/">guided boat tours</a>
which visit Ulva Island, <a href="http://www.islands.co.nz/salmon/">Salmon
Farms</a> & <a href="http://www.islands.co.nz/mussel-farming/">Mussel
Farms</a>. Travellers will find a unique holiday destination. A mix of unspoilt
coastal inlets, bush clad hills and white sandy beaches. Halfmoon Bay, Stewart
Island's only permanent settlement, is a small fishing township and tourist
centre. <br>
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It is the starting point for many of the <a href="http://www.islands.co.nz/walking-tracks/">walking
and tramping tracks</a>. Boats and <a href="http://www.islands.co.nz/rakiura-waterways/">water
taxis</a> can be chartered for access to more remote areas of the Island.
The clear waters around Stewart Island are ideal for diving and contain an
amazing number of different fish and shellfish species. <br>
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Short bush walks allow for the opportunity to view several different bird
species in their natural habitat, and see native ferns and fauna. The 20 km
of sealed road around Halfmoon Bay township makes walking easy for those people
not geared for bush walking. <br>
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Stewart Island brown kiwi are fairly common all around the island and can
often be seen on guided kiwi spotting tour. Kayak, motor scooter and car rentals
are available to enable you to see more of Stewart Island. Come and experience
Stewart Island and its warm, southern hospitality.<br>
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<b>Waiheke Island</b> is the second largest of the Hauraki Gulf islands, and
the most populated. Situated 35 minutes ferry ride from downtown Auckland,
Waiheke Island is an ideal destination for a day-trip, or stay awhile and
experience the gentle, unhurried island pace. Accommodation to suit all preferences
and budgets is available. Waiheke Island has a reputation as one of New Zealand's
leading wine producing areas. There are more than 25 vineyards on Waiheke
Island. Experience a vineyard tour and discover the age-old traditions of
wine making. <br>
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Waiheke Island offers a plentiful selection of cafes and restaurants with
many sited to provide spectacular views of the Hauraki Gulf or nearby vineyards.
Most are fully licensed and range from a-la-carte restaurants to wine bar
cafes, family cafes and a gourmet hamburger bar. Some are venues for live
music. <br>
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Scenic tours are a great way to discover the Waiheke Island. Various commentated
tours are available. Enjoy a walk along a white sandy beach, or explore one
of the many scenic walkways that provide breath-taking views of Waiheke Island's
coastline and Hauraki Gulf waters. There is a nine hole golf course, and other
leisure activities include horse trekking, sea kayaking, scenic flights, bike,
scooter and car rentals. <br>
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Relax with a glass of fine wine and a meal at one of Waiheke Island's many
restaurants and cafes. Waiheke Island is an enchanting blend of beaches, native
bush, farms, arts & crafts, and vineyards set in an unhurried lifestyle.<br>
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<b>Kapiti Island</b> is located 50 km north of Wellington. Size is 10 km long
and about 2 km wide. The highest point, Tuteremoana, is 521 metres above sea-level.
Birdlife on Kapiti Island includes the Little Spotted Kiwi, Kaka, Kakariki,
Robin, Saddleback, Stitchbird, Weka, Kereru, & Bellbirds. Rare and threatened
birds such as the Saddleback and Stitchbird are no longer present on the NZ
mainland, but survive on Kapiti Island's predator-free reserve. Launches allow
visitors access to Kapiti Island where a number of short walks are available.</font></font></font></font>
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="+7" color="#0000FF"><font size="5"><font size="-2" color="#004040"><font size="4">For
accommodation on the Islands, check out:<br>
<a href="http://www.islands.co.nz/pa/">Pa Beach Cottage </a>
<a href="http://www.islands.co.nz/macnut/">Macadamia Heights Cottages </a>
<a href="http://www.islands.co.nz/justcafe/">Just Cafe</a><br>
<a href="http://www.cottages.greatbarrier.net" target="_new">Cottages on Great
Barrier Island</a><br>
<br>
For Shops on the Islands, check out:<br>
<a href="http://www.islands.co.nz/lettuceinn/">Lettuce Inn</a> The <a href="http://www.islands.co.nz/therocks/">Rocks
Bottle Shop </a> <a href="http://www.islands.co.nz/pigeonpost/">Pigeon
Post</a>.<br>
<br>
<a href="http://www.islandkayak.co.nz">Sea Kayak rentals</a><br>
<br>
Local businesses: <br>
<a href="http://www.islands.co.nz/shoal-bay-pottery/">Shoal Bay Pottery</a>
<br>
<br>
Weather<br>
<a href="http://www.weather.islands.co.nz" target="_new">New Zealand Islands
Weather</a><br>
<br>
More information: <br>
<a href="http://www.great-barrier-island.com">Great Barrier
Island</a> <a href="http://www.miners-cove.great-barrier-island.com" target="_new">Miners
Cove - Great Barrier Island</a><br>
<a href="http://www.stewart-island.com">Stewart Island</a>
<a href="http://www.islands.org.nz" target="_new">Guide to Island
travel</a><br>
<br>
Local Newspapers:<br>
<a href="http://islandtimes.islands.co.nz">Island-Times</a> <a href="http://stewartislandtimes.islands.co.nz">Stewart
Island-Times</a><br>
<a href="http://greatbarrierislandtimes.islands.co.nz">Great Barrier Island-Times</a>
<a href="http://waihekeislandtimes.islands.co.nz">Waiheke Island-Times</a><br>
<br>
Web Site Design and Promotion<br>
<a href="http://www.flashfx.co.nz">Web Site Design</a> <a href="http://www.aotea.net">Web
Site Hosting</a> <a href="http://www.promotion.aotea.net">Web
Site Promotion</a><br>
<br>
Real Estate: <a href="http://www.islands.co.nz/realestate/seanoshea.html">Sean
O'Shea</a> <a href="http://www.islands.co.nz/real-estate/">Real
Estate<br>
</a></font></font> </font></font> <br>
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