If you have had enough of the big city and want to escape then Great Barrier Island is just the place. Just North of the Coromandel Coast lies this amazing rugged Island complete with stunning beaches, excellent hiking, hot pools and a unique pace of life. If you want to slow down for a bit, head to the Barrier – the locals are relaxed, the roads are gravel and the fish are plentiful.
Highlights
Endless beaches
Natural hot pools
Surfing
Fantastic camping
Good hiking
A unique pace of life
How Far/Long:
Great Barrier is an Island so you will need to catch a flight or a boat to get there.
Flights: A flight to the Barrier takes 30 minutes. Both Great Barrier Airlines and Mountain Air fly from Auckland to the Island.
Ferries: Both Fullers and Sealink provide a regular ferry service to the Island. Ferries are typically cheaper but also slower so how you chose to get there is usually dictated by time.
Note: There are no ATMs and no banks on Great Barrier Island - come prepared!
Get out of town!
Presumably you will be flying or ferrying to the Barrier and so hopefully you wont need directions on how to get there. If by chance you do find yourself piloting the plane or steering the ferry Great Barrier is the large island just north of the Coromandel peninsular. If in doubt find the Coromandel coast and follow it North – there are two islands, the smaller one is Little Barrier while the larger one is Great Barrier. Got it?
Don’t forget
To take your jandals, swimming gear and towel. This is the place to relax, swim and soak.
Surrounded by native bush and only a short walk from the ferry terminal at Tryphena Stray Possum Lodge is the ideal place to base yourself on Great Barrier Island. The lodge also has a restaurant and bar and knowledgeable staff who will help sort out your island adventure.
Alternatively Great Barrier has some wonderful camp grounds. There are 6 DOC campgrounds and 2 private camps on the island. The DOC campgrounds at Medlands, Harataonga and Awana are great, while Mickey’s campground is pretty funky. If you are going to camp GOOT recommends Medlands and Harataonga.
The other option if there is a group of you and you are going to stay for awhile would be to hire a house. Check out your options online.
Food and drink
There are shops, cafes and restaurants on the island (particularly in Tryphena, Claris and Fitzroy). However, be warned, prices for groceries are higher than on the mainland. The Claris Texas Café is cool.
Great Barrier is a haven for relaxing and enjoying nature. This is the place to come to chill out with good friends and a book.
Options:
Check out the beaches. The East Coast has excellent surf beaches; Medlands, Kaitoke, Awana, Harataonga and Whangapoua, while the West Coast is more sheltered.
Go hiking. Windy Canyon is spectacular while the long climb to the highest point, Hirakimata (621 m) provides great views. There is also a coastal track from Okiwi to Harataonga Bay.
For the keen hiker there is a 3-4 day loop hike around the rugged central part of the island, utilizing camping grounds and the DOC hut at Kaiaraara. The most logical starting point for this trip is Port Fitzroy.
The Kaitoke hot springs, a short walk from the road to Whangaparapara, are a must. While not as good as the ones around Rotorua and Taupo they are still pretty cool and are in a natural remote setting.
Other activities such as surfing, mountain biking, kayaking, horse trekking, diving and fishing are all popular on the island. There is even two 9 hole golf courses. The public course at Pioneer Park has a $10 honesty box fee – watch out for sheep on the course.
Getting around
Because Great Barrier is actually quite big you will need some form of transport to fully appreciate the island. Here are some options.
Bring your own or hire one from Paradise Cycles +64 (09) 4290 311 in Claris or G.B.I. Rental Cars.
Hitchhike
While we at GOOT never endorse this mode of transport we have used it before to get around the Barrier. Generally the locals are pretty friendly and used to hitchhikers but you just never know! Hitchhiking in a group is a waste of time – so if there is more than two of you find another way to travel. GOOT does not recommend hitchhiking anywhere.
2. Great Barrier so friendly. Liana Chen (Brandeis University), Unregistered
I thought Great Barrier Island was really nice. The town we stayed in was so small and hitching was easy because everyone was so friendly. There was a really great community and we felt welcome. Everyone on the island said hi to each other all the time. It was a good place to get away to civilization for a while. It was so relaxing and you can do your own thing and go to beaches. Medlands beach is beautiful.
Posted 2009-04-21 10:25:46
1. Great Barrier, Fantastic! Goot Guest, Unregistered
