GREAT BARRIER ISLAND, New Zealand: Another travel destination from Kirsty Wilson

01 12 2009

GREAT BARRIER ISLAND, New Zealand: Remote Natural Beauty, Bird Sanctuary, Hot Springs and White Sand Beaches

Posted by: kirsty_wilson in Australasia, tags: Beaches, Islands, New Zealand, Springs, Wildlife

Where is Great Barrier Island?

Medlands Beach

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.

Solar Panel House

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)

Map

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.