"Yachties Paradise" Great Barrier Island by Dodo22

Great Barrier Island Travel Guide: 32 reviews and 50 photos

View of Fiztroy Harbour - Great Barrier Island

Yachties Paradise

Great Barrier Island lies about 100km northeast of Auckland on the outside edge of the Hauraki Gulf. Known as Aotea it is the largest island off the North Island of New Zealand.
More than 60 percent of the island is public land administered by the Department of Conservation. There are a huge range of short walking tracks and longer tramping tracks, a few several campsites and huts, mountain bike routes, and many natural and historic features to explore including kauri dams left over from the timber milling industry back in the mid 1920’s.
About 1300 people live permanently on the island but this number is swelled over the summer with an influx of boaties and trampers.

SmokeHouse Bay

Bathhouse and outdoor shower

One of the island's best known places for boaties is SmokeHouse Bay. Nothing can be better after a few days walking, sailing or fishing when you pull in here, wash the clothes and yourself - shown here the picturesque wash tubs and washing lines (the bases of which are under water at very high tides). There was a flood several years ago which wiped out most of the facilities, but with the generous donations of both goods, materials and time, everything has been rebuilt. There is a new bathhouse plus an outdoor shower, plus new and improved smoke houses to smoke your freshly caught fish. Its a great place to take the dinghy ashore and catch up with people whilst waiting for the washing to dry.

Old ships anchor on the lawn in front of the Lodge

Great Barrier Island is the largest offshore island near Auckland and is a must for boaties, trampers and people who enjoy the outdoors. You can fly or take the ferry and there is now a whole range of accommodation from backpackers lodges to boutique, upmarket accommodation.

Not to be missed is the Mussell Festival, traditionally held around the 10th of January this is a not to be missed occassion. Its held in the clubrooms at Fitzory and can get very crowded. If coming in by yacht its important to get there early to get a good anchorage.

Depending on the weather some of the bays towards the south end of Barrier are well worth a visit - Whangaparapara has a great lodge at the head of the bay which you can visit for lunch and a beer. The lodge provides accommodaton (I haven't stayed here as yet) which provides a good base for the Dept of Convservation Walks on the island.

This site provides background information on the walks on the island, preparation etc - it also links to all other Dept of Conversation sites around NZ.

Dept of Conversation

Pros and Cons

Pros:Virtually unspoilt, gorgeous scenery
Cons:Crowded in the peak boating season
In a nutshell:Can't be beaten

Last visit to Great Barrier Island: Jan 2008
Intro Updated Feb 8, 2008
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Reviews (8)

Waterfall Walk Things to Do (7)

Another walk, this time an easy one, is up to the waterfall. Mostly flat, there is some walking across rocks on a couple... more travel advice

Walk/Climb to the Kauri Dam - Great Barrier Island

Walk/Climb to the Kauri Dam Things to Do (7)

One of the more worthwhile walks is up to the well preserved remains of one of the Kauri Dams. It is approximately a two... more travel advice

Inside the bathhouse - Great Barrier Island

Take a Bath Things to Do (7)

A real favourite with boaties, particularly yachties who don't have much water to carry around for showers, is to stop... more travel advice

Cool off Things to Do (7)

You must try some of the walks on Great Barrier, a number are accessible from the various bays around Port Fitzroy, a... more travel advice

Restaurants (1)
Smoke your own

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Comments (5)

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MURRA Aug 3, 2005 at 7:14 AM

looks like great boating area
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starship Jul 19, 2005 at 7:01 PM

This island sounds like what I call a great natural summer paradise! Your photos are super!
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keeweechic Jun 3, 2005 at 4:06 AM

I still have never visited this beautiful island. What a great stopping off for boaties - all the amenities:-).
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kiwi Feb 14, 2005 at 12:27 PM

Wow! Luv that bath!! You did have a nice visit, I didn't realise you went ashore. Great! And the opening photo is superb!!!
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allikat Feb 13, 2005 at 2:38 PM

Love your Breat Barrier page....I've eaten at Smokehouse Bay, the cook was a little tipsy but the food was great!