Great Barrier Island is in the outer Hauraki Gulf in northern New Zealand. It lies east of the Northland Peninsula and directly north of Coromandel Peninsula. It is part of the Auckland Region and is 90 km north-east of central Auckland. At 285 km2, it is the 4th largest island in the main New Zealand archipelago, significantly smaller than Stewart Island, and the outlying Chatham Island.
Take in the view from above. Being an island, long views are spectacular on Great Barrier.
They are all beautiful, but some more than others.
- Medlands Beach. If you like solitude, this could be just the ticket. It is one of the busier beaches, but many visitors are lucky enough not to see another soul during the good hour it takes to walk from one end of the beach to the other. If you want a shorter walk, drive to the northern end of Sandhills, cut through the dunes and walk north to the creek. Spot the blowhole in the rocks. Even shorter is a hop over the dunes in the middle, taking a look at Memory Rock or climbing up if you are nimble footed, and having a look at the mermaid pool on the seaward side (low tide).
- Kaitoke Beach. Will you love the combo of dark mountains looming in the back ground of this sparkly white beach? Walk to the rocks on the southern end of this beach to spot more mermaid pools.
- Palmers Beach. Hammerhead sharks can sometimes be spotted, usually from the plane. Or walk all the way to the north of Kaitoke beach and through the creek.
- Okupu Beach. Another lovely beach that is generally no good for surfing. There’s often dolphins here and a public BBQ. BYO meat and drinks for an epic sunset.
Two more favourites are Harataonga, where you can walk down from the campground (where the locals camp) either left, crossing the creek twice, or right, over the bridge and through the paddock, without getting your feet wet, and Whangapoua (4 hr), which can be accessed by turning right at Te Kura in Okiwi and following Mabey’s road all the way (about 10 km one way). The graves from the Wairarapa shipwreck are a 5-min walk north, and there are some interesting rock pits approx. 500 m south of the dune crossing.
Medlands Beach. If you like solitude, this could be just the ticket. It is one of the busier beaches, but many visitors are lucky enough not to see another soul during the good hour it takes to walk from one end of the beach to the other. If you want a shorter walk, drive to the northern end of Sandhills, cut through the dunes and walk north to the creek. Spot the blowhole in the rocks. Even shorter is a hop over the dunes in the middle, taking a look at Memory Rock or climbing up if you are nimble footed, and having a look at the mermaid pool on the seaward side (low tide).
Kaitoke Beach. Will you love the combo of dark mountains looming in the back ground of this sparkly white beach? Walk to the rocks on the southern end of this beach to spot more mermaid pools.
Palmers Beach. Hammerhead sharks can sometimes be spotted, usually from the plane. Or walk all the way to the north of Kaitoke beach and through the creek.
Okupu Beach. Another lovely beach that is generally no good for surfing. There’s often dolphins here and a public BBQ. BYO meat and drinks for an epic sunset.
Kayaking, paddle boarding, fishing, and coastal cruises are all generally recommended.
- Good Heavens Dark Sky Experience - this island is an International Dark Sky Sanctuary. Good Heavens guides will take you on a whirlwind tour of the universe.
- Check out if the Old Ladies track in Port FitzRoy is really for old ladies…
- Get into the spirit at the sacred waterfalls in Port Fitzroy or Whangaparapara (Kauri Falls)
- Shrin Yogu nature walk with Vicky Kyan.
- Trike tour with Go Great Barrier
- Mt. Hobson. Hike to the top via Windy Canyon, around 2 hr one way. Amazing vistas when clear and 360 degrees views at the top. It's Great Barrier's highest point at 621 m. On a clear day it offers spectacular views of the Mercury Islands to the Poor Knights, and the Hauraki Gulf.
- White Cliffs. Around 1.5 hr each way, nice aerobic walk (gradual descent/ascent). 360-degree view at the top.
- Mount Whanagaparapara. A 90-minute aerobic walk with great views from the top.
- Ruahine Lookout Track. 3 hr round trip.
- Station Rock Lookout. Great views for a relatively short climb.
- Walk to the Kaitoke Hot Springs. An easy walk, 30-45 min one way.
- Windy Canyon. Take a 20-min hike up the steps for an amazing view over the Okiwi Basin and the coast all the way to Medlands Beach.
- Harataonga coastal walk. About 5 hr one-way. Hitch or book a transport to get you to the beginning of the track.
- Harataonga loop walk. A hike with beautiful views into bays, including old Pah site. The last bit of this track is a very steep downhill. About 1 hr long.
- Kowhai Track. Walk from the top of Rosalie Bay to the Medlands Beach. About 1.5 hr one way, mostly downhill.
Mt. Hobson. Hike to the top via Windy Canyon, around 2 hr one way. Amazing vistas when clear and 360 degrees views at the top. It's Great Barrier's highest point at 621 m. On a clear day it offers spectacular views of the Mercury Islands to the Poor Knights, and the Hauraki Gulf.
White Cliffs. Around 1.5 hr each way, nice aerobic walk (gradual descent/ascent). 360-degree view at the top.
Mount Whanagaparapara. A 90-minute aerobic walk with great views from the top.
Ruahine Lookout Track. 3 hr round trip.
Station Rock Lookout. Great views for a relatively short climb.
Walk to the Kaitoke Hot Springs. An easy walk, 30-45 min one way.
Windy Canyon. Take a 20-min hike up the steps for an amazing view over the Okiwi Basin and the coast all the way to Medlands Beach.
Harataonga coastal walk. About 5 hr one-way. Hitch or book a transport to get you to the beginning of the track.
Harataonga loop walk. A hike with beautiful views into bays, including old Pah site. The last bit of this track is a very steep downhill. About 1 hr long.
Kowhai Track. Walk from the top of Rosalie Bay to the Medlands Beach. About 1.5 hr one way, mostly downhill.
Good Heavens Dark Sky Experience - this island is an International Dark Sky Sanctuary. Good Heavens guides will take you on a whirlwind tour of the universe.
Check out if the Old Ladies track in Port FitzRoy is really for old ladies…
Get into the spirit at the sacred waterfalls in Port Fitzroy or Whangaparapara (Kauri Falls)
Shrin Yogu nature walk with Vicky Kyan.
Trike tour with Go Great Barrier
Groceries on the Barrier can be more expensive than mainland New Zealand because of the cost of freighting them to the island but you can buy fresh fruit and vegetables, bread, meat and general groceries at the local stores. Local crafts, products and souvenirs are available. There are several art galleries on the island. Try and find them all! and island specialties include manuka honey and local Barrier Beer.
- EarthSong, 38 Medland Rd, Tryphena (access is 4x4/SUV or arrange pick-up from roadside when booking, +64 9 4290030. 6–11PM. Delicious cuisine, candlelight, fine wine, and Tuscan villa-style surroundings with stunning views create a unique dining experience. An outstanding cellar of fine New Zealand wines enhances the experience. When planning his menus chef Trevor follows the seasons. He sources fresh organic produce locally and from the gardens at EarthSong. The table olives and extra virgin olive oil from the EarthSong olive grove are a special feature in menus. Bookings 24 hrs prior essential for dinner. Evening dining $110 per diner.
- Stray Possum Lodge, Tryphena. Delicious pizzas and steaks. Fully licensed bar available.
EarthSong, 38 Medland Rd, Tryphena (access is 4x4/SUV or arrange pick-up from roadside when booking, +64 9 4290030. 6–11PM. Delicious cuisine, candlelight, fine wine, and Tuscan villa-style surroundings with stunning views create a unique dining experience. An outstanding cellar of fine New Zealand wines enhances the experience. When planning his menus chef Trevor follows the seasons. He sources fresh organic produce locally and from the gardens at EarthSong. The table olives and extra virgin olive oil from the EarthSong olive grove are a special feature in menus. Bookings 24 hrs prior essential for dinner. Evening dining $110 per diner.
Stray Possum Lodge, Tryphena. Delicious pizzas and steaks. Fully licensed bar available.
There is free Wi-Fi at Tryphena Social Club and Claris Airport. Free Wi-Fi, computers and printers at Auckland City Library, Claris. Computer at Great Barrier Lodge, Whangaparapara. Mobile phone coverage: Vodafone around Claris and at Port FitzRoy and Telecom at Tryphena. Other places coverage is limited or non-existent.
If you have a boat, Leigh is one of the nearest harbours on the mainland.