Aucklanders who have been cooped up during lockdown over the last few months will be able to enjoy some of the incredible nature on their doorsteps once again from Friday.

Ferries will restart to the Hauraki Gulf conservation islands of Rangitoto and Tiritiri Matangi on Friday and Rotoroa Island on Saturday as restrictions are loosened under step 2 of alert level 3.

The islands have been off limits to recreational visitors for the last three months, with only essential travel allowed as Auckland continued to deal with the pandemic.

Fullers360 CEO, Mike Horne, says its great to once again welcome day-trippers onboard.

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Rangitoto Island features must-do Auckland walks.

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The DOC protected islands are teeming with native wildlife for Aucklanders to spot on their next day trip. Were proud of the role we have in providing essential services for Aucklanders, and now being able to reopen island destinations for safe recreational travel, said Horne.

Andrew Poole, Chair at Rotoroa Island Trust, agreed: "With stunning coastal walks, sandy swimming beaches, fascinating island history and native wildlife, Rotoroa Island is a place to truly feel restored.

Sailings will be operating with reduced capacity to enable physical distancing onboard, and passengers must still follow all government guidelines for travelling on public transport including wearing a face covering onboard and inside ferry terminals, and scanning in using the Covid Tracer app.

Why go? Rangitoto Island features must-do Auckland walks.

Visitors can spend a few hours ambling around most of the volcanic island's base or take a trip up to the 260-metre-high crater summit to soak in the Hauraki Gulf's panorama.

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Tiritiri Matangi is a 75-minute ferry ride from downtown Auckland.

Why go? Tiritiri Matangi is a bird watcher's paradise.

The 220-hectare Department of Conservation-run island is being repopulated with native birds and vegetation including t, fantail, silvereye and grey warblers.

AUCKLAND ZOO

One of the residents on Rotorua Island.

Why go? Get up close and surrounded by nature.

Listen out for teke, takah, pteke, whitehead and saddleback calls. Keep an eye out for kiwi. First released in 2014, more than 25 kiwi now enjoy the predator-free haven.

More information at fullers.co.nz.

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Aucklanders can visit the Hauraki Gulf conservation islands again - Stuff.co.nz