Where is Great Barrier Island?

Great Barrier Island is located 90 km from Auckland on the east coast of New Zealand. Angela Pearse spent a weekend on the island courtesy of Tourism Auckland and Sealink ferries.

Visiting Great Barrier Island is like winding back the hands of time. The 800 or so islanders generate their electricity by wind, solar, battery or diesel power. There is no main water supply or street lighting. Mail is infrequent and supplies of fresh food such as bread and grocery items are shipped over on the ferry.

But it is this back-to-basics lifestyle and untouched natural landscape which makes Great Barrier Island such a special travel destination. On our trip we met some locals who are passionate about “The Barrier”.

In Port Fitzroy on the west side of the island, Sven Stellin extracts manuka and kanuka oil and makes products, such as mosquito spray, balms, soaps and essential oils. He gives visitors a first-hand look into the process of extraction and a chance to buy Barrier Gold products.

Also at Port Fitzroy is Glenfern Sanctuary run by Tony Bouzaid. Glenfern is a 150 acre reserve where endangered species such as the rare black petrel, brown teal duck and North Island Robins can live safely from predators. Tony’s guided walk takes you through the sanctuary, which has elevated boardwalks through native forest and a suspension bridge into a 600 year old kauri tree. A ride in Tony’s Unimog, a 4WD all terrain army vehicle, is included in the walk.

Whether fishing, diving, kayaking, bush walking or general sight-seeing is the interest of the day, contact Steve Billingham of the Barrier Tour Company for an ‘Ultimate Tour’ of the island. Steve is renowned for his extensive local knowledge and humorous stories. He also runs Crazyhorse Trike Tours. A trike is a custom built motorbike that can seat two passengers side-by-side at the rear of the driver. Riders get a ‘wind in the face’ experience and commune with nature on an exhilaratingly intimate level.



Great Barrier Island accommodation and camping grounds

The largest settlement in Great Barrier Island is at Tryphena Harbour in the south west of the island where the ferry docks. It has a good selection of accommodation including:

Sunset Waterfront Lodge

Shoal Bay Lodge

Tipi & Bob’s Waterfront Lodge

There are eight camping grounds on Great Barrier Island, with some situated a short distance from pristine white sand beaches. Medlands Beach and neighbouring Okupu Bay on the east coast are particularly beautiful and it is not uncommon to see dolphins there in the warmer months.

Other top notch accommodations include Mt Saint Paul Lodge at Medlands Beach and Great Barrier Lodge at Whangaparapara Harbour on the west, which has self-contained cottages and backpacker cabins.

Currach Irish Pub, Mt Saint Paul Lodge and Great Barrier Lodge

For eating out there’s the Currach Irish Pub at Tryphena, a relaxed bar with live music and delicious speciality seafood dishes.

Or 20 minutes from Tryphena by car, Mt Saint Paul Lodge. A colonial style manor house set back from at Medlands Beach which offers fine seafood dining and stunning deck views. Hosts Trish and Ivan McMannaway are warm and welcoming.

Or try Great Barrier Lodge Restaurant and Bar at Whangaparapara Harbour, a perfect place to unwind after a day of tramping, kayaking, fishing or diving.

Sealink ferries and Fly My Sky

You can reach ‘The Barrier’, as it is affectionately known, by a relaxing four and half hour Sealink ferry ride (with onboard café + two movie theatres) or a 35 minute chartered Fly My Sky flight from Auckland Domestic Airport.

New Zealand (Eyewitness Travel Guides)

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TravelTipsPlus Google Map of Great Barrier Island

One Great Reason to Visit Great Barrier Island

One great reason to visit this travel destination is for the more than 100 kms of walking tracks. One of the most popular is Kaitoke Hot Springs. Reached by a gentle meandering bush walk, Kaitoke Hot Springs has a series of natural pools for bathing and is the perfect place to relax and unwind after a hard day of sight-seeing on the island.

Great Barrier Island

Great Barrier Island from Dave Woodard on Vimeo.

For More Information

Wikipedia

Great Barrier Island Tourism

Great Barrier Island Tourism Directory

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Where is Granada?

Found in the province of Andalusia, for a travel destination that is stereotypically ‘Spain’, this is it! The province is bordered by the Mediterranean, Straits of Gibraltar and the Gulf of Cadiz. The area is most famous for the Spanish flamencos, bullfights, hilltop villages and Moorish palaces, making it an extremely popular travel destination.

Granada is home to the Alhambra, one of the world’s best preserved Moorish palaces. The Palace and Watch Tower date back to the 9th century. Other historic sites of Granada include, the Albaicin, the hilltop Arab quarter with many crowded, winding streets and the gypsy quarter known as Sacromonte, is found on an adjacent hilltop.

Frommer’s Seville, Granada and the Best of Andalusia

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One Great Reason to Visit Granada

One great reason to visit this travel destination is for the huge Arabic fortress towering over the city.

ALHAMBRA, Granada, Spain

For More Information

Wikipedia

Granada – Official Site

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Where is Ohara?

The small rural community of Ohara is located about one hour north of Kyoto. It is a perfect travel destination to go on retreat if you want to escape the hustle of the bigger cities and experience traditional Japanese culture. Ohara has two hot spring ryokans (traditional inns) which pump mineral water to the surface from a depth of more than 1km. Angela Pearse stayed at Oharanosato, and gave the outdoor bath a go.

“Traditional bathing in Japan is different from what I’m used to. The washing part takes place inside at the taps so I won’t be wallowing in my own (and others) grime. It makes good sense but crouching naked on a low stool, while sluicing myself with warm water from a bucket, culturally goes against the grain. I keep one eye warily on the door in case anyone comes in and my hands poised, ready to cover myself faster than a samurai wheeling his sword.

Once I’m all clean I head outdoors to soak in the hot water, and I mean hot water. The Japanese generally consider anything below 45C for sissies. I’m worried about being boiled alive as I gingerly submerge my body into a pool of scalding mineral water, but the vista of brooding mountain range and darkened forest distracts from my tingling nerve ends. Overhead, tiny silver spheres sprinkle across a jet-black sky, while nearby bamboo rustles mysteriously with the cool night breeze and, to add to the atmosphere, a lone frog croaks from a rice-paddy. I’m in my element, though up until now I’ve never communed this closely with nature while having a bath”.

Lonely Planet’s Japan (Country Guide)

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TravelTipsPlus Google Map of Ohara

One Great Reason to Visit Ohara

One great reason to visit this travel destination is to stay at Oharanosato where you can sleep Japanese style, eat traditional food and bathe in one of the outdoor mineral pools (men and women do have separate pools!).

Ohara, Japan

For More Information

Official Town Site

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Where is Aghios Nikolaos?

Aghios Nikolas is located on the north-eastern coast of the Greek island of Crete and some 66km east of the capital, Iraklion. The town gains its name from reference to Saint Nicholas, the patron saint of sailors and of all of Greece.

The quaint harbour is the main draw-card as a relaxing travel destination. However, it has not always been a harbour connected to the sea. During 1870 a channel was dug to connect Lake Voulismeni to the sea, creating a small harbour. Found in the town center, Lake Voulismeni is now surrounded by small boutique hotels, restaurants and cafes, catering well for the visitors. Dining tables are placed along the promenade where you can sit by the harbour, enjoy a glass of wine and watch the sun set. A magical little place!

The Rough Guide to Crete

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TravelTipsPlus Google Map of Aghios Nikolaos

One Great Reason to Visit Aghios Nikolaos

One great reason to visit this travel destination is for the enchanting little harbour, where you can dine by the waters edge.

Aghios Nikolaos

For More Information

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