Urupukapuka Island
Image: tjrehmann | Creative Commons
Urupukapuka Island Recreation Reserve
Located in the Northland region
Introduction
Of significant historic and cultural importance, pest-free Urupukapuka Island is also a great place to relax or for water sports at one of the many beaches.Video
Place overview
Activities
- Bird and wildlife watching
- Diving and snorkelling
- Walking and tramping
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In this section
Find things to do and places to stay Urupukapuka Island Recreation Reserve
About this place
Nature and conservation
Topography
The island’s topography is the most varied of the islands in Ipipiri and ranges from flat areas behind the major bays (Entico, Otehei, Urupukapuka) and rises to moderately steep slopes and coastal cliffs on the island’s eastern side.
Vegetation
The main vegetation type is manuka/kanuka shrubland and extensive kikuyu grasslands are features of northern and southern areas of Urupukapuka. A spectacular pohutukawa forest occupies the coastal fringe and pohutukawa are a highlight of the island's vegetation. There is a significant wetland habitat created in the 1980s as a wildlife habitat with baumea sp. and raupo reed land.
Conservation
Urupukapuka has significant restoration potential with its range of habitats, natural regeneration and breeding area for brown teal/pāteke and NZ dotterel.
As part of the on-going restoration of Urupukapuka, Project Island Song has successfully released North Island robin/toutouwai, North Island saddleback/tīeke and whitehead/pōpokotea on the island. Keep an ear and eye open for these rare birds when visiting.
Grazing occurs on approximately a third of the island in order to maintain open space and vegetation on archaeological sites.
Getting there
Getting to Urupukapuka Island
Water taxis run on demand year round (weather permitting). The Paihia i-SITE takes bookings for boat transportation to the island: visit Northland New Zealand or email paihia@fndc.govt.nz
Passenger ferries go from Paihia and Russell to Otehei Bay every day in the peak summer season.
Private boats can leave from boat ramps in the Eastern Bay of Islands:
- 30 minutes from Waitangi boat ramp on Te Karuwha Parade
- 15 minutes from Te Uenga Bay beach ramp on Russell Road
- 10 minutes from Kaimarama Bay boat ramp at the end of Rawhiti Road
- 45 minutes from Opito Bay and Doves Bay
Contacts
| Pewhairangi / Bay of Islands Office | |
| Phone: | +64 9 407 0300 |
| Fax: | +64 4 471 1117 |
| Email: | bayofislandsbooking@doc.govt.nz |
| Address: |
34 Landing Road Kerikeri 0230 |
| Postal Address: |
PO Box 128 Kerikeri 0245 |
| Full office details | |
