Great Barrier Island

Great Barrier Island (Māori name: Aotea) 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 90 km north-east of central Auckland. It is the 4th largest island in the main New Zealand archipelago and has a population of nearly 1,000. Largely covered in regenerating native forest, with some rare native species, a network of hiking trails across the island and beautiful beaches and inlets, it attracts those who enjoy the outdoors, whether hiking, swimming, surfing or enjoying the natural environment. You can get there by plane, sea ferry or private boat.

Understand
At 285 km2, Great Barrier is the 4th largest island in the main New Zealand archipelago, significantly smaller than Stewart Island, the 3rd largest at 1,683 km2. It is also smaller than the 900-km2 Chatham Island, which is outside the main island chain. Great Barrier is also the centrepiece of its own small archipelago, and some of the smaller islands, such as Kaikōura Island, near Port Fitzroy, can also be visited.

The island's basement sedimentary rocks are overlain by ancient volcanic rocks that give rise to jagged pinnacles, cliffs, bluffs and ravines. It was named Great Barrier Island by Capt James Cook because it formed a barrier between the Hauraki Gulf and the Pacific Ocean – it is not a "barrier island" in the usual sense of a long sandy island close to the mainland.

Copper, gold and silver were once mined on the island and there are relics of this and other past economic activities. A whaling station at Whangaparapara caught humpback whales from 1956 to 1962, and was New Zealand's second-to-last whaling station.

From the 1880s to the early 1930s much of the kauri forest on the island was logged. Parts of the island were turned into farmland, though to a lesser degree than happened on the New Zealand mainland. Now, much of the island is in regenerating native forest, dominated by kauri trees, with a few areas of original, unlogged kauri forest, mainly in the far north. The kauri are unfortunately under threat from kauri dieback disease, and it is important for hikers to stay on the tracks, keep off kauri roots, and to clean footwear before and after visiting an area of forest. More than 60% of the island is conservation land managed by the Dept of Conservation.

While the island has introduced predators – two species of rats, mice and feral cats, dogs and pigs – it thankfully does not have some of the other pests that are common on the mainland, such as stoats, weasels, ferrets, possums and deer. This means there is slightly less pressure on endangered native species, including kākā (parrot), brown teal (duck), black petrel (seabird), chevron skink, Hochstetter’s frog and rare plants.

The island has a resident population of close to 1,000. The main employment is in tourism, farming and service industries. There is no reticulated electricity or water and most houses use solar panels and a battery bank to generate and store power. Wind and water turbines and solar water heaters are also used. The island is administered by Auckland Council as part of the Auckland Region.

There are no litter bins on the island. Dispose of your rubbish in your accommodation, buy council bin bags from a shop or take it to the Aotea Transfer Station in Claris.

Visitor information

 * Destination Great Barrier Island has online visitor info and an information centre in the Claris aerodrome.
 * Department of Conservation Great Barrier Island/Aotea

By boat
A Sealink ferry carries vehicles, freight and passengers from Central Auckland to Tryphena. It runs 3 or 5 days a week, depending on the season, and even 7 days for about 4 weeks around Christmas. It leaves Auckland at 8AM, then from the island at 3PM, and trips take 4½ to 5 hours.

Get around
There is no public transport service. You can hire a vehicle or use one of the shuttle services that operate around the island. It is best to book shuttles before you arrive – in summer it's essential. You can also bring your own vehicle to the island on the vehicular ferry. Most roads are sealed, but some side-roads and more remote roads are unsealed

See
Take in the view from above. Being an island, long views are spectacular on Great Barrier.



Beaches
The island has beautiful beaches, with long sandy surf beaches on the ocean-facing east coast and sheltered bays and coves on the west coast.



Do
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.
 * 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

Hiking
There are numerous tramping tracks. Here is a selection.

The Mt Whangaparapara Peak and Whangaparapara Pack tracks are permanently closed due to kauri dieback risk.

Buy
Groceries can be more expensive than on mainland New Zealand because of the cost of freighting them to the island. 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. Barrier specialities include manuka honey and locally brewed beer.

Eat
In addition to these listings, see also the 'Drink' and 'Sleep' sections for places to eat.

Connect
There is free Wi-Fi at Barrier Social Club and Claris Airport. Free Wi-Fi, computers and printers at Auckland Council's public library at Claris. Computer at Great Barrier Lodge, Whangaparapara. Mobile phone coverage: Vodafone around Claris, Port FitzRoy, Okiwi and at least parts of Okupu, and Spark at Claris, Tryphena and at least parts of Okupu. Other places coverage is limited or non-existent.

Go next
If you have a boat, Leigh is one of the nearest harbours on the mainland.