Great Barrier Island is the largest and most remote island of the Hauraki Gulf Islands, in the Auckland Region. Natural areas, walking trails and archaeological sites shape the island’s character. If you’re looking for a destination where landscape and history can be explored in different ways, there are several options here to help plan your trip.
Nature, night skies and walking trails
Aotea Great Barrier Island has been designated a Dark Sky Sanctuary since 2017 and preserves its naturally dark night skies. There is no public electricity supply for outdoor lighting; the island is entirely off-grid and uses renewable solar energy and collected fresh water. More than 60 percent of the island’s 285 square kilometres is public land managed by the Department of Conservation. The Aotea Conservation Park covers more than 12,000 hectares and includes several walking trails for beginners and experienced hikers.
One important difference to consider when planning longer hikes: the park is home to the Auckland Region’s only multi-day wilderness hiking trail. There are also two DOC huts and numerous campsites. For a shorter overview of the landscape, the summit of Hirakimata, also known as Mount Hobson, offers a 360-degree panorama. Hirakimata is also habitat for kākā, kākāriki, tomtit (Miromiro), black petrel (Tāiko) and the reintroduced North Island robin (Pītoitoi). Windy Canyon offers views of the Okiwi Basin and Whangapoua Harbour to the north, and Kaitoke Bay and Medlands Bay to the east.
Individual trails also differ considerably in length and character. The Tramline Track is 14 kilometres long. In several places, its original track surface, sleepers, skid roads and other structural remnants from the island’s logging history have been preserved. The Kaiaraara Track has 15 bridges, including three suspension bridges. The stream along the Kaiaraara Track also reveals the foundations of the main dam, which was destroyed in a storm in 2014.
In terms of walking times, the Wairarapa Graves Walkway is an easy option at 30 minutes each way, unlike the longer routes. The challenging Cooper’s Castle Track near Port FitzRoy takes 2 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours each way. The challenging Harataonga Coastal Walkway is listed as taking 4 to 5 hours each way; dogs are not allowed. Check current track conditions before setting out on these walks. The Kaitoke Hot Springs Track passes through the Kaitoke wetlands and regenerating kānuka forest.
Archaeology and island history
Great Barrier Island has preserved pā and other archaeological sites connected with the island’s long Māori history. The Tapuwai graves lie at the northern end of Whangapoua Beach and are enclosed by a white picket fence. Some of the original pickets and corner posts from 1894 remain at the graves. These tangible traces complement the island’s larger-scale nature experiences with a glimpse into the area’s history.
Other historical destinations tell of different chapters in the island’s past. Miners Head was New Zealand’s first copper mine. The area is also a popular dive site; the wreck of the SS Wairarapa lies on the eastern side of the headland. Built around 1906, Harataonga Homestead is one of the island’s few surviving early houses. It is managed by the Department of Conservation and leased privately.
Activities and getting there
Activities offered on Great Barrier Island include kayaking, diving, fishing, golf, harbour tours, surfing and visiting art galleries. The options range from water-based activities to discoveries on land; archaeological sites and historic remnants offer another perspective on the island. When planning your trip, it’s worth weighing these different interests against the time you’d like to spend hiking.
Great Barrier Island can be reached by scenic flight or ferry. Check schedules and operators before you travel. If you’re looking for a hotel, you can choose where to stay based on your priorities: dark night skies, walking trails, wildlife and plant life, or archaeological and historical sites. These themes can help guide your choice of destination without prescribing a particular itinerary.
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See the main travel overview: Auckland.
