Great Barrier Island. 3-4 days

GREAT BARRIER ISLAND - GROUP DEPARTURES from Auckland

This tour can operate any day for minimum of 4 passengers subject to availablity of space on flights and at accommodation and driver/guide.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

JANUARY SPECIAL Short break. 3 days/2 nights January 15-17 including return air fares from Auckland (From Tauranga add $100), arrival and departure transfers on Great Barrier, 2 nights accommodation (no meals) at Sunset Lodge, Coastal cruise from Whangaparapara through the Broken Islands to Fitzroy harbour and tour of the Glenfern Eco Sanctuary, Medlands beach, Hot Pools forest walk, Tryphena, galleries, pottery, and museums. $1,790 share twin, $2,040 single from Auckland. From Tauranga add $100

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Group departure hosted from Auckland.

2025: March 14-17

Group tour cost $2,200 share twin, $2,690 single

Meals included (CB - Continental breakfast) (D) - Dinner

Day 1. Friday March 14. AUCKLAND - GREAT BARRIER. (D)

Depart Auckland for the scenic 30 minute flight with panoramic views of Auckland City and Hauraki Gulf Islands including Rangitoto, Kawau, and Little Barrier en route to Claris airfield on Great Barrier - weather permitting and subject to air traffic control routing. You will be met by your friendly host and transferred to accommodation at Sunset Waterfront Lodge at Mulberry Grove in Tryphena Harbour.

Day 2. Saturday March 15. GREAT BARRIER (CB.D)

Today we explore the northern area of Great Barrier including Whangaparapara Harbour. See the photo display of early mining, whaling, and timber extraction and the remains of the whaling station and timber mill locations. Continue by road to beautiful Port Fitzroy Harbour. We visit Glenfern Sanctuary in Fitzroy Harbour and learn of the conservation work here and visit the spectacular lookout and one of the few remaining kauri trees. On the way home we will visit Kiwi Passion* OR Jacques Haven* to find the uniqueness of life off the grid on Great Barrier. Also visit Windy Canyon for a 15-20 minute walk each way (with a lot of steps!) to the lookout and get some great photos of the beautiful beaches.

Optional Dark Sky experience with local expert. Relax on the beach with telescopes and hot chocolate and marvel at the heavens -- extra cost $130.

Optional 4 hour coastal cruise from Whangaparapara to Glenfern Sanctuary via the Broken Islands, Motu Kaikoura restoration project, and Fitzroy Harbour including a tour of Glenfern Sanctuary. Extra Cost $240 per person including morning tea and lunch.

Day 3. Sunday March 16. GREAT BARRIER (CB. D)

You will be picked up from your accommodation for around 6-7 hours exploring the island with your guide. Enjoy a 45 minute relatively easy walk through the forest and wetlands to the natural hot springs in a small stream. Medlands Beach is one of the most beautiful on the island and you will have the opportunity to photograph and walk part of it and climb Memory Rock. Continue to Claris and visits can include Milk and Honey Museum, Patina Gallery and the Heritage Art Gallery and Museum. Return to your accommodation about 4pm.

Day 4. Monday March 17. GREAT BARRIER - AUCKLAND. (CB)

Visit Shoal Bay Pottery and spectacular views of the southern end of the island, Colville Channel, and Coromandel peninsula in fine weather.Tryphena area including Puriri Bay and the Elephant and Black Cow galleries. Transfer to Claris Airfield for your scenic flight across the Hauraki Gulf and Auckland City at Auckland International Airport.

We will normally use a flight departing Great Barrier early afternoon. You are welcome to stayover on the Barrier and explore or relax as you wish.

Tour cost includes - group departure:

** Home pickup and return between Orewa, Westgate, and Pukekohe OR Auckland airport car parking up to $50

** Return flights from Auckland, North Shore, or Tauranga airport to Claris with Barrier Air

** Three nights accommodation

** Continental breakfast and dinner daily

** Comprehensive sightseeing by mini bus with your local guide including admissions where necessary.

Please note: order of sightseeing may be changed to suit weather and other reasons. Opening hours of some galleries and attractions can be erratic! "Sorry, we are closed as we are 'off island' for a week is too common!

Rooms are not serviced daily at our accommodation. Extra towels or bedding are available on request

Mosquitoes can be a problem if out in the evenings. We suggest taking some insect repellant. Also a small torch for an evening stroll to the beach! Great Barrier is "off the grid" - all electricity is locally generated and water is collected from rain and bores.

Free wi-fi is provided at Sunset Lodge. Vodafone reception is virtually non existent in Mulberry Grove although OK at Claris. Spark reception is OK at the Lodge.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

JANUARY SPECIAL Short break. 3 days/2 nights January 15-17 including return air fares from Auckland (From Tauranga add $100), arrival and departure transfers on Great Barrier, 2 nights accommodation (no meals) at Sunset Lodge, Coastal cruise from Whangaparapara through the Broken Islands to Fitzroy harbour and tour of the Glenfern Eco Sanctuary, Medlands beach, Hot Pools forest walk, Tryphena, galleries, pottery, and museums. $1,660 share twin, $1990 single from Auckland. From Tauranga add $100

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

GREAT BARRIER ISLAND - INDEPENDENT DEPARTURES .. 3 days/2 nights, Extendable Depart daily from Auckland and some days from North Shore or Tauranga airports for minimum of 2 passengers.

Barrier Air operate 5-8 flights daily between Auckland airport and Claris, 4 days a week from North Shore airport and Claris and 3 days a week (sunday, wednesday, friday) from Tauranga - schedules subject to change.. If our group departure dates do not suit we can package independent arrangements for you subject to flight and accommodation availability. Accommodation will still be at Sunset Lodge. Each villa and studio room is fully self contained with gas cooker, fridge, and all the crockery and cutlery you need. We make special arrangements for breakfast and lunch for our groups but cannot do this for independent travellers. There is a convenience store, restaurant, and takeaway bar next to Sunset Lodge for ingredients. Please note freight costs are expensive and food is more expensive than on the 'mainland'. Fish and chips, hamburgers, etc are usually available until 7pm. The Irish Pub is 5 minutes drive up the road and the Social Club in Tryphena welcomes tourists on wednesday and saturday nights. The Lodge Manager will take you there and back. For 2 night packages we will normally be able to arrange early/morning flights up and afternoon flights back to maximise your time on the island.

Tours cost per person: 3 days/2 nights. 2 per room $1,590. Single room $1850

Tour cost includes:

** Return air fares from Auckland, (From Tauranga add $150)

** Arrival and departure transfers on Great Barrier Island

** 2 nights accommodation in self contained studio or villa rooms

** Sightseeing of the best of the island including Claris, Tryphena, Medlands Beach, Whangaparapara, 2-5 hoiur hot pool and forest walk, Fitzroy, Whangaparapara, pottery, art gallery, museums. Programme will depend on time of your flights and your interests.

Tour cost per person - all costs include return air fares from Auckland or North Shore airport, transfers between airport and accommodation which usually includes sightseeing, accommodation (no meals), and sightseeing mentioned.

Optional Dark Sky experience with local expert. Relax on the beach with telescopes and hot chocolate and marvel at the heavens -- extra cost $130.

Optional 4 hour coastal cruise from Whangaparapara to Glenfern Sanctuary via the Broken Islands, Motu Kaikoura restoration project, and Fitzroy Harbour includinga tour of Glenfern Sanctuary. Extra Cost $240 per person including morning tea and lunch.

Please understand Great Barrier is a unique community of around 800 people, many of whom are 'escapees' from civilisation, Everyone lives 'off the grid' collecting their own water and generating their own electricity. Tap water must be boiled before drinking. Sunset Lodge has its own generators and batteries and electricity is available 24/7. Many creative artistic people reside on Great Barrier and have great galleries however opening hours are erratic. Our resident local guide will know what is open.

Great Barrier Island. 3-4 days

Other Tours

Auckland and Hobbiton 4 days / 3 nights

Auckland City and Wilderness

Auckland Council

Auckland Transport Consultancy

Awesome Auckland 7 days including city and West Coast tour, Waiheke Island. Hobbiton options

Bay of Islands Superdeal including Cape Reinga. 3 days+