Here are the 8 Great Barrier Island must do’s. The island has a diverse range of activities – hiking, surfing, beach walks, or just relaxing.
Great Barrier Island is truly a land to itself. It may only be a 30 minute plane ride from Auckland, but it feels as if it’s in another world. The island has a small population, no central electric system, and heaps of beautiful nature. From the moment I stepped onto the plane (a tiny 12 seater) I felt like I was leaving my busy, hectic life behind and beginning my foray into relaxation and a slower pace of life. Here are 8 things you must do when you visit.
The 8 Great Barrier Island Must Do’s
Relax – Yep, this may sound pretty obvious, but I want to list it because I feel it’s important. One of the coolest things about Great Barrier Island is the slow pace of life and being off the grid. Take advantage of that, disconnect from your devices for a bit and just focus on doing nothing but relaxing. There are quiet, remote spots all over the island that are great locations to do this.
Aotea Track – Personally, I love hiking and the Aotea Track was one of the main reasons I wanted to visit Great Barrier Island. The walk is a moderate 2 – 3 day trip that crosses the central part of the island, including a stop at the highest peak on the island.
Kaitoke Hot Springs – these natural hot springs are a short 30 – 45 minute one way, mostly flat walk. They can be done on the Aotea Track or just as a nice outing on their own. The water feels nice, and a short soak will leave you feeling super relaxed.
Windy Canyon – This is a walk off the road that heads north from the airport. There are quite a few steps, but a short walk will bring you to some stunning views out across the entire island and between these rock outcroppings.
Grab A Pint At Currash’s Irish Pub In Tryphena – There are not a lot of restaurants, cafes, or pubs on the island so you options are limited. However, the Irish pub in Tryphena is a delight, with nice food, good beer on tap, and great ambiance. In October 2020 when we visited they were finishing work on what looked to be an amazing outdoor porch.
Walk The Beach at Awana Bay – This is a fantstic beach that is great for walking and you may see some rare birds, such as the New Zealand Dotterel.
Swim Or Surf At Medlands Beach – Great Barrier Island has an abundance of beautiful, white sand beaches. One of the best is the long stretch of Medland’s Beach. This is a nice spot to catch some waves on a surfboard, body board, or just go for a swim.
Visit Glenfern Sanctuary – This is a small, protected reserve located near Port Fitzroy on the west side of the island. The predator proof fence helps protect native wildlife, including brown teal and chevron skink (endemic to the island). Plus, this is another spot that has amazing views.