Great Barrier Island

Great Barrier Island is located about 90 kilometres northeast of Auckland in the Hauraki Gulf. The land mass is about 40 kilometres long and 15 kilometres wide. Great Barrier Island can be accessed by a quick flight from Downtown Auckland or a boat trip to be enjoyed with many other visitors to the small island. Take a trip back in time to when roads were unsealed and drivers acknowledged one another. There are no banks, no traffic lights and just a few shops. Water is mainly what comes from the sky and power is generated by generator and/or alternative power systems. Great Barrier Island has native bush leading to enjoyable leisurely walking tracks, unspoiled beaches, and is home to many bird species as well as several unique plants. Along the walking tracks of Great Barrier Island you will come upon secluded natural hot springs and wonderful historic Kauri dams. On the west coast of the island are steep, forest covered ranges with Mt Hirakimata (Hobson) the highest peak at 621m and on the eastern coast sweeping white sand beaches, tidal creeks and wetlands. The absence of possums has allowed the plant life to flourish and Great Barrier Island also has an impressive variety of birds, many of which are threatened and endangered. Although logged extensively in the past much of the island is now covered with regenerating forest and bush and some fine stands of kauri still remain. One of the islands best known historic landmarks is the Kaiarara main dam on the Kaiarara Stream situated below Mt Hobson. The wonders of this small island can be enjoyed by the tranquility of the moment and the sights that are abundantly on offer. From beaches to sheltered bays and steep forest covered hills to mangrove estuaries the Barrier has a diverse landscape. The brown teal duck, black petrel, North Island kaka, banded rail, NZ dotterel and chevron skink are just some of the endangered species this habitat provides for. There is always a welcoming smile and a hand of friendship for visitors to this small Barrier community of about 900. The pace of life is slower here usually and things don't always happen on time, they happen in 'Barrier time'. This is a unique and special place not just because of its beauty but for the tranquility, the peace and quiet it has to offer all who wish to experience it. Great Barrier Island was named such by Captain Cook who sighted the island whilst sailing, on the Endeavour, up from the Firth of Thames and crossing the Hauraki Gulf between Cape Colville and Point Rodney on 23rd November 1769. Aotea is the Maori name for the island. Mt Hirakimata (Hobson) is a mountain of significance in Ngati Wai tradition and identity. 'Hira-ki-mata' literally means 'the mountain that is visible to the eye from a wide area'.