Without a doubt the jewel in the crown of the beautiful Hauraki Gulf is Great Barrier Island. This almost mystical place, 100km northeast of central Auckland, has always seemed so far away and ‘other-worldly’ and yet, always part of the New Zealand idyll.
These days it’s easier to get there than ever before. So, we’re going to spend time, over 6 Days, with the locals experiencing one of New Zealand’s last untouched paradises. This time will allow us to enjoy everything at ‘Island pace’. AND this specific tour will include the inaugural Great Barrier Garden festival. Here’s a glimpse at what’s in store;
We fly first to Auckland and then on to Great Barrier Island itself. Enjoying spectacular views of the Hauraki Gulf and Waiheke Island before landing at Claris and being met by our host, Leigh, who’ll be showing us around.
Over the next few days we’ll enjoy a wonderful series of spectacular, scenic destinations like Medlands Beach, The Windy Canyon, Pacific Ocean Panoramas and the ‘Forgotten Wharf‘ at Blind Bay. We’ll meet the locals and hear the stories at community spots such as Tryphena Wharf, Shoal Bay Estate, The Barrier Social Club and Jacque’s Haven.
We’ll take a cruise aboard the launch ‘Sundancer’ up the island’s
past old Kauri sawmills and deserted whaling stations, then head through the spectacular Broken Isles and Man-O’-War Passage. At Port Fitzroy we’ll disembark and visit the amazing Glenfern Sanctuary, a predator-free forest, where we’ll be guided around their native plant and bird reintroduction facilities and up to Sunset Rock for jaw-dropping panoramic views of Port Fitzroy Harbour itself.
How about a walk along a gentle forest track bound by ancient Nikau Palms to Hot Springs for a soak? Visit Okupu Beach to see some truly ancient Pohutakawa trees and take a look around an organic farm known as Okiwi Passion. All this whilst staying at Leigh’s own Sunset Waterfront Lodge, just a few metres from the water’s edge in Shoal Bay.
And, for the first time, this tour will include an extra day dedicated to the Great Barrier Island Garden Festival where we’ll visit a number of the best private gardens on the island that are not usually available to visit. The festival will culminate with a Gala Dinner hosted in the Marquee at Sunset Lodge. What a tremendous bonus to our tour this extra day will be.
For many, a trip to Great Barrier Island is a ‘bucket-list’ item. The opportunity to visit this iconic maritime region of New Zealand is rare. This is the chance you’ve been waiting for, encompassing all the levels of Bay Tours service you’ve come to expect.
Numbers are limited to 15, you’ll need to book early to join this tour.
