Filter by Duration
Filter by Rating
Filter by Price
Showing 1 to 1 of 1 Offers
/ Wellington / Places to Visit / Matiu
Filter by Duration
Filter by Rating
Filter by Price
Showing 1 to 1 of 1 Offers
Matiu or Somes Island is the largest of 3 islands in the northern part of Wellington Harbour with an area of 25 hectares.
Matiu or Somes Island is the largest of 3 islands in the northern part of Wellington Harbour with an area of 25 hectares. Its extensive Maori history and rich ecological system draws hordes of visitors. East by West Ferries runs a ferry service to the island from central Wellington and Days Bay. Tourists can also visit Matiu by boat or kayak, docking at the designated wharf and beach in the northeast of the island. To protect the environmental integrity and ensure that weeds, insects, and mice are kept out, all visitors must first go to the visitor shelter for bag inspection. Hiking, picnicking, and bird-watching are popular activities on the island. Swimming, fishing, snorkeling, and diving in the waters around the island are other summer activities.
Originally named as Matiu after the daughter of Polynesian explorer Kupe, it was an important strategic Maori site with 2 Pa (defence fortress), one in the centre and one on the northern tip, surrounded by cliffs on 3 sides. After it was acquired by the colonial New Zealand Company in 1840, it was renamed Somes Island after company director Joseph Somes. A lighthouse was built at the southwestern end in 1866, the first harbour light in New Zealand. The present day lighthouse dates to 1900, with automation from the 20th century. Used as a quarantine facility for humans and animals till 1920, the island features a memorial to the people who died here in isolation.
The revegetated island features a rich ecosystem of native flora such as taupata, ngaio, harakeke, totara, rata and kahikatea, as well as fauna including little blue penguin, parakeets, several species of shag, spotted skink, and silver gull.
Sun
NA
Mon
NA
Tue
NA
Wed
NA
Thu
NA
Fri
NA
Sat
NA
Matiu/Somes Island, 5012, New Zealand
Weta is the Academy Award-winning special-effects studio that created the breathtaking visuals of The Lord of the Rings trilogy, King Kong, The Adventures of Tintin, Avatar, The Chronicles of Narnia, The Amazing Spiderman 2, and The Hobbit
Old St
The Oriental Bay Beach along Wellington's inner harbor is a popular swimming spot in summer
The Metropolitan Cathedral of the Sacred Heart and of Saint Mary His Mother is the parish church of the Thorndon Catholic parish and the Cathedral of the Archbishop of Wellington
Of all the eclectic Parliament buildings spread over the 45,000 square metre site in Lambton Quay, the Beehive stands out for its unique architecture
Mount Victoria rises gently to a height of 196 metres to the east of central Wellington
Occupying the 1892 French Empire style building of the Wellington Harbour Board Head Office and Bond Store, the Wellington Museum is breathtaking from both outside and inside
Named after former city mayor Sir Frank Kitts, the park on Wellington's waterfront was opened in 1976 on a site that was earlier used for wharf sheds
Commonly known as 'Te Papa', the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa is the national museum and art gallery of New Zealand
An iconic symbol of the city, the Wellington Cable Car is a 115 year old funicular railway that runs uphill from Lambton Quay to Kelburn, stopping at Clifton, Talavera, and Salamanca