Harataonga facts for kids

Overtons Beach and Dragon Island (left distance)

Transactions of the Royal Society of New Zealand (1920)

Harataonga Bay is a beautiful coastal area on the northeast side of Great Barrier Island in New Zealand. It's part of the amazing Hauraki Gulf, about 51 nautical miles (that's like 94 kilometers) northeast of central Auckland. Much of this special place is protected as the Harataonga Recreation Reserve, and some of the land behind it is the Harataonga Scenic Reserve.

The main beach here is called Overtons Beach, but people also know it as Harataonga Beach. It's a lovely sandy stretch that runs from west to east. A small stream, the Harataonga Stream, flows into the sea at the western end of the beach. There's also a tiny sandy bay in the northern part of the area that you can only reach by boat. Dragon Island, at the eastern end of the bay, helps protect it from the big waves of the Pacific Ocean. Even more protection comes from the larger Rakitu (Arid) Island to the north.

Exploring Harataonga Bay

Harataonga Bay is a great spot for outdoor adventures! You can reach it by driving on a narrow gravel road.

Camping and Activities

The Department of Conservation runs a campground here. It's surrounded by green farmland and native forest, just 300 meters from the beach. This campground can host up to 120 people, making it a fun place for families and groups.

The calm bay is perfect for many water activities. You can go fishing, diving, swimming, and snorkelling in the clear waters. If you like fishing, you can cast your line from the rocky spots at either end of Overtons Beach. To keep the beach safe and clean, vehicles are not allowed on the sand, and dogs are also not permitted.

Walking Tracks and Nature

There are two cool walking tracks to explore in Harataonga Bay:

• The Harataonga Loop Track is a shorter walk, taking about 30 minutes.
• The Harataonga Coastal Walkway is a longer adventure, taking 4 to 5 hours. It ends near Whangapoua Beach.

These tracks wind through a regenerating forest. This means the forest is growing back after being cleared in the past. You'll see native trees like mānuka, kānuka, nikau palms, cabbage trees, and pittosporum.

Amazing Wildlife

Harataonga Bay is a very important home for many New Zealand birds. The forests and coastal areas provide a safe place for them to live and raise their young.

Birds of Harataonga Bay

As you walk the tracks, keep an eye out for these beautiful birds:

• Grey warbler: A tiny, sweet-singing bird.
• Kingfisher: Known for its bright blue feathers and sharp hunting skills.
• Kererū (wood pigeon): A large, colorful native pigeon.
• Silvereye: A small bird with a distinctive white ring around its eye.
• Tui: Famous for its shiny black feathers and unique white throat tuft.

The bay is also a crucial nesting area for several rare and protected birds:

• Pāteke (brown teal): A small, endangered native duck.
• New Zealand dotterel: A rare shorebird that nests on beaches.
• Oystercatchers: Striking black and white birds with long orange beaks.
• Banded rail: A shy marsh bird.

History of Harataonga Bay

Harataonga Bay has a rich history, especially with the local Māori people.

Early Settlers and Filming

The Ngāti Rehua Ngati Wai ki Aotea iwi (tribe) lived in the bay long before European settlers arrived. The area still has several important Māori historic sites and old settler graves.

In 2007, the famous BBC television channel filmed a reality show called Castaway 2007 right here in Harataonga Bay. It was a big event for the quiet bay!