Great Barrier Island – Guide for Backpackers

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Aotea Track (25km/15 Miles, 3 Days)

The Auckland region’s only island multi-day hike, the Aotea Track works its way through the heart of the Great Barrier wilderness. The hike is named after Great Barrier Island’s Maori name, Aotea, and will take you through a variety of landscapes: rocky yet perfectly clear streams, mountain tops, dense rainforest, and across swing bridges. All while capturing magnificent views and wildlife along the way. One thing’s for sure, the Aotea Track promises an adventurous three days out in the bush!

There’s so much to say on this track that we have only gone and done a Guide to the Aotea Track just for you. Check it out for more information.

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Waterfall, Hot Springs and Windy Canyon

Apart from stunning beaches and impressive mountains, Great Barrier Island also has some hidden features well worth discovering.

Kaitoke Hot Springs

From Whangaparapara Road take the Kaitoke Hot Springs Track (45 minutes one way). The flat easy walk takes you along the Kaitoke wetlands and through regenerating forest. Your walk is rewarded with a series of hot springs heated by rising hot water from underground volcanic activity. Kaitoke Hot Springs is just one of the 7 Free Natural Hot Springs in New Zealand.

Windy Canyon Lookout

Sheer rock faces make up the Windy Canyon offering awesome views all around, from Whangapoua Beach in the northeast all the way to Medlands Beach in the southeast. The walk is only 10 minutes up the Palmers Track from Aotea Road.

Kauri Falls

Named after the kauri felling history on the island, Kauri Falls is a pretty waterfall and swimming spot. It is accessed via Warren’s Creek Track (1 hour one way) starting about 1km (0.6 miles) from Port FitzRoy. This is also a good walking alternative to the road to get from Port Fitzroy to the Akapoua Campsite.

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Camping on Great Barrier Island

Camp on the coast! There are a number of cheap campsites in beautiful coastal locations across Great Barrier Island. It’s a great place to sleep under the stars in sites with plenty of space. This is a great option if you want to relax by the beach or catch some of those surf waves. The island’s campsites are well facilitated.DoC campsites, for instance, have tap water, toilets, recycling bins, cold showers, picnic tables and a kitchen/cooking bench. Here are just some of the super camping locations:

• Medlands Beach campsite is, of course, near the huge Medlands Beach in the southeast of the island, which is a popular surf beach and competition hotspot
• Awana Beach campsite is another great surf spot, especially for the experienced
• Harataonga campsite offers snorkelling and swimming. There are two ways to access the beach: the beach access road or the adventurous way which involves some paddling across a small estuary. Take the Harataonga Walkway (4-5 hours oneway) along the coast which connects Harataonga campsite with Aotea Road and the access to the Whangapoua campsite road
• Whangapoua campsite is on the Whangapoua estuary and close to a great surf break accessed at low tide.

For more information on camping in the Auckland region, check out Where to Camp in Auckland.

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Wildlife on Great Barrier Island

Like many of the islands of the Hauraki Gulf, Great Barrier Island is rich with native New Zealand birds. Although many of the birds you may see elsewhere in New Zealand, it is unlikely you’ll get to experience an abundance together as you can at Great Barrier Island, especially in the pest-controlled area of Glenfern Sanctuary near Port FitzRoy and Rakitu Island, 2.5km (1.5 miles) off the east coast of Great Barrier. Some wildlife can only be seen at Great Barrier and Little Barrier Island, for instance, the black petrel. This brown bird can sometimes be spotted in the high inland area of Mt Hobson. Incredibly, during June-September, they fly as far as South America.

When taking the roads around the island, you’ll notice plenty of “duck crossing” signs. Great Barrier is home to two-thirds of New Zealand’s brown teals, which are mainly active at night. Be careful when driving. When hiking near forest streams, look out for the chevron skink with tooth-like markings on its back, only found here and Little Barrier Island.

As you’re hiking or camping, you can’t miss the sounds of the kaka. These large brown parrots can be seen in the trees or flying high over the forest making screeching away!

Don’t miss the opportunity to see the waters of Great Barrier by boat, kayak or snorkelling. Marine life includes common dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, orca, blue maomao, snapper, piper, sea turtles and sunfish.

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How to Get There

Great Barrier Island is 90km (56 miles) northeast of downtown Auckland. It can be accessed by plane or ferry. Because these transport methods bring such different experiences, we recommend taking the ferry to Great Barrier Island then taking a flight back to Auckland.

Great Barrier Island by Plane

Flights to Great Barrier Island operate from either Auckland Airport (domestic terminal) in Manukau with Great Barrier Airlines or FlyMySky. You can also fly from North Shore Airfield in Dairy FlatwithGreat Barrier Airlines. Most flights go to Claris, but some may go to Okiwi in summer.

It’s also worth mentioning how flying over Auckland city and the Hauraki Gulf is a treat in itself. Usually, the flight in the small plane is low enough to get some great photos of many islands, while high enough to get views over to the Coromandel peninsula coming off the mainland.

Great Barrier Island by Boat

Experience approaching the island by boat to really appreciate the size of the mountains and towering coastal cliffs. Sealink operates a car and passenger ferry taking about 4h30mins. This service runs three to five times a week depending on the season. Sealink docks at Port Fitzroy on the northwest of the island and/or Tryphena in the southwest.

Another great perspective of the Hauraki Gulf, taking the ferry allows you to see some of the stunning islands and wildlife. Look out for dolphins!

For more information on getting around the Auckland region, check out Public Transport in Auckland.