Top Things to do in Great Barrier Island
Top Restaurants in Great Barrier Island
What to do and see in Great Barrier Island, New Zealand: The Best Places and Tips
Discover the best top things to do in Great Barrier Island, New Zealand including Go Great Barrier Island - Day Tours, Good Heavens, Glenfern Sanctuary, Aotea Track, Hooked on Barrier, Station Rock Lookout.
Restaurants in Great Barrier Island
1. Go Great Barrier Island - Day Tours
Overall Ratings
5 based on 65 reviews
Your one-stop shop for visitor information, fantastic island tours, bush walks and coastal cruises. Our all inclusive tour packages provide you with the best travel deals, fantastic accommodation and activity options... We are Great Barrier Islands tour specialists! Give our friendly team a call.... We're here to help.
Reviewed By Carol H
I had a wonderful 3 days on Great Barrier as part of a tour group. The island is magical ...remote but beautiful....stunning scenery....friendly locals with a real sense of community. Steve was a wonderful guide and host and he really made the tour special with his vast knowledge and love of the island.Thank you Steve for a great time and the ride on 'Crazy Horse'. I have been recommending Go Great Barrier to friends for the future.
2. Good Heavens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 24 reviews
Dark Sky Experiences on Great Barrier Island, one of only three IDA Dark Sky Sanctuaries in the world. Be guided by a Dark Sky Ambassador through our stunning dark sky on Medlands beach, at Claris Airport or have a private tour at your accommodation.
Reviewed By DMThorn - Sydney, Australia
I bought the private viewing experience for 4 people as a 60th birthday present for a friend. He is very knowledgeable about the skies and he enjoyed the experience.
Hilde and Deborah were so enthusiastic about everything and tried very hard to show us as many interesting sky objects as they could despite there being some cloud about.
The beanbags, blankets, hot chocolate and brownies add a little bit of luxury and pampering to the experience.
Afterwards we were sent an email detailing what we had seen and providing links for further information. I take my hat off to the dark sky ambassadors and wish them every success with this venture.
It is definitely worth doing and something a bit different from the fishing / sailing / diving type activities normally to be found on the Islands.
3. Glenfern Sanctuary
Overall Ratings
5 based on 24 reviews
Reviewed By dbscott2016 - Palmerston North, New Zealand
Great to see the vision of Bouzaid and others being realised. The reserve is a great example of forest regeneration with the larger tree species coming away beneath the canopy of manuka and kanuka. However, I was surprised to see a rabbit within the reserve and kauri seedlings planted in the open and not under some primary cover. Also nervous to know that one of the three kauri dieback sites is close to Glenfern (at Kairaara) so hope all steps are been taken to seal off that infected site
4. Aotea Track
Overall Ratings
5 based on 12 reviews
Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip. See website for the price of accommodation on this track.
Reviewed By 8623PaulineS - Bay of Plenty Region, New Zealand
My daughter and I walked the Aotea Track from The Windy Canyon Entry to Whangaparapara last week in splendid summer weather. The track is very well maintained and DOC has done an amazing job putting in stairs and steps to avoid visitors destroying the habitat of the Black Petrel. The tracks are also very well maintained, thank you!!! Walking times are moderate, but it is by no means a walk in the park, as there is ample up and down on most days. There is also plenty of variety walking up hills, open space travel, following rivers and going through lush bush. Please take time to go and see the extra little side walks suggested (Maungapiko, Kauri stand, Kauri Falls). We also decided on the second day to leave our packs at the junction and walk up to Cooper's Castle - a great lookout point towards Okiwi and the Whangapoua Wetlands and Coast. Mt Heale Hut has gas provided but not Kaiaraara. At Kaiaraara you have a river to cool off in, but not at Mt Heale Hut. Overall a walk that is highly recommendable to anyone enjoying a few days off the grid. We even got a picture of a black petrel :-)
5. Hooked on Barrier
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 17 reviews
Our fishing, diving and sightseeing charters are your key to the breathtaking views and pristine waters around Great Barrier Island on the edge of the Hauraki Gulf.Hooked on Barrier has a charter boat, hire depot and shop supplying all you needs for an awesome adventure. Please note due to winter weather conditions and vessel maintenance we may not be available for charters between 1 July and 30 September
Reviewed By Nigel B - Tauranga, New Zealand
Chris ;Captain, guide,Chef, owner of Sundance. Thank you for a great family outing. Headed out without a real plan but Chris soon sorted us out with a bit of local knowledge and information on things within the harbour. Then headed up the west coast with...MoreThank you Nigel, I enjoyed your company and it was great to see the pleasure your family got from the magic Great Barrier Island offers, hope we see you back this way again. Chris
6. Station Rock Lookout
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By Kiwiseley - Auckland Central, New Zealand
This is a combination of a walk and a climb, but probably more the latter. Situated at the top of the Medlands road, there is parking for about 3 cars. You walk and climb for about 20 minutes to reach an opening where the views of Medlands beach are spectacular.
In many places you need one or two hands holding on to branches or roots, as a fall would not be ideal. Not suitable for children under 12 or those over 75.
For the brave, you can go higher to reach the summit of the hill.
Start the day with this climb, I dare you.
