| Page Views: 5,120 Last Visit to Great Barrier Island: December, 2004 | The Beautiful Barrier! by allikat - last update: Jun 27, 2006 |
Aotea (White Cloud) | Ventilate in Graveyard Bay |
Great Barrier Island lies of the North East Coast of New Zealand, about 90km from Auckland, past the outer reaches of the Hauraki Gulf. This is the 5th largest island in New Zealand, after the North island, the South island, Stewart Island and Waiheke Island. You can fly there, or regular ferry sevices operate from Auckland. The ride can be bumpy, as you cross a stretch of open ocean to get there.
Named 'Big Barrier' by Captain Cook, it's Maori name is Aotea, which means White Cloud.
The climate is generally quite mild, with summers being hot and dry while the winters are wet.
It is a rugged island, with Mount Hobson being the highest point at 621m above sea level. Most of the island is covered in native bush, although the giant Kauri trees have mostly been felled.
On my first visit to 'the Barrier' I was lucky enough to spend 4 days there on a friends boat, 'Ventilate'. We had an awesome time, and I totally fell in love with this beautiful island. Christmas 2004 saw us back on Ventilate and back to the Barrier ~ still beautiful, unspoilt and a great 'off the beaten path' corner of New Zealand. |
|  | Smokehouse Bay New Year 05/06 saw us return and discover that Smokehouse Bay, my favourite spot at Great Barrier, had recently been destroyed by a landslip after some heavy rain. A place we always return to, we once spent a real fun evening here, smoking the fish we had caught that day, having a bath in the old tin shed, and sharing a campfire with 2 yachts of schoolkids doing their Duke of Edinburgh award.
These mangles are part of the 'goodwill' facilities at the bay - I think they have character! They are still there, as the landslip just missed them. I believe volunteers armed with shovels are planning on clearing the site and restoring the facilities there |
Sea birds galore. We saw lots of sea birds on our way to Gt Barrier.
This photo of an Australasian Gannet was taken near Little Barrier Island. Gannets were feeding alongside fluttering shearwaters, blue penguins and white-fronted terns. This is also an area of water where you may be lucky enough to spot dolphins, whales and orcas. | | |
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| Pros: | "Native bush, few roads, few people." | | Cons: | "getting there" | | In A Nutshell: | "An oasis for wildlife - a place to fall in love with!" |
allikat's Great Barrier Island Travel Tips
| Overview | Things to Do
Tips: 8 - Photos: 12 | | | | Restaurants | Hotels & Accommodations | | | Nightlife
Tips: 1 - Photos: 1 | Off The Beaten Path | | | | Tourist Traps | Warnings Or Dangers | | | | Transportation | Local Customs | | | | Packing Lists | Shopping
Tips: 1 - Photos: 2 | | | Sports Travel
Tips: 1 - Photos: 1 | General Tips
Tips: 2 - Photos: 3 |
 Comments for allikat about Great Barrier Island | | | | |
volopolo Thu Oct 9, 2008 20:17 UTC
Great tips! | besal Sun Aug 31, 2008 09:57 UTC
Just read in the books about the barrier reef, finally saw some pictures. Great tips. | sourbugger Sun Nov 4, 2007 21:35 UTC
boy, wish i was there , rather bthan nappy changing | angiebabe Sat Sep 8, 2007 11:46 UTC
love yr tips!dont you mean Manuka?i visited my most northern coldest long drop right at the Norwegian border with Russia!at minus 15!otherwise just like a kiwi one!My sis had her honeymoon at GB Is,havent been there myself!thx4 the pics!&mussel fest tip! |
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