What you won’t find on Aotea Great Barrier Island – and why you won’t miss any of it!
Aotea (also known as Great Barrier Island) is just a thirty-minute flight from Auckland City, but it feels like a world away from the hustle and bustle of city life.
Stepping foot on Aotea, is like stepping back in time.
The pace of life is slower, roads take longer to travel, mobile connectivity is patchy – but it’s the type of place that really gets into your veins.
Though there are plenty of things the island is lacking, we’re sure you’ll agree that this special spot will leave you anything but wanting.
Did you know? Aotea Great Barrier Island is the sixth-largest Island in New Zealand. With an area of 285 square kilometres (110 sq mi) only the South Island, the North Island, Stewart Island/Rakiura, Chatham Island, and Auckland Islands are larger.
Find the joy in missing out on Aotea Great Barrier Island
No mains Power or water
Aotea is off-grid, so there is no island-wide power, water or sewerage.
Instead, homes and businesses generally run off solar power (with spare electricity stored in batteries for use after dark), collecting water when it rains or from streams and springs.
Did you know? Power-hungry appliances like hair dryers, straighteners, toasters and coffee machines aren’t any use on the island.
… but you will find
A newfound appreciation and connection to the natural environment.
Instead of switching on the telly at night, why not step outside to enjoy the night sky or curl up with a good book?
Instead of having a long shower, take a dip in the ocean or venture over to the Kaitoke Hot Springs for a soak.
No public rubbish bins or single-use cups
As you travel around the island, you’ll notice a distinct lack of rubbish bins.
Single-use cups are out of the question too – they’re not allowed on the island.
Don’t panic, there are plenty of ways you can still enjoy your takeaway caffeine fix. Bring your keep cup, buy one here, sit in or borrow a mug from our cafés mug libraries.
… but you will find
A commitment to stopping all waste to landfill by 2040.
And, if you’d like a takeaway coffee, you can bring a keep cup, buy one on the island (the cups from Shoal Bay Pottery make great souvenirs), or borrow one from a cafe mug library.
>>> Learn about how you can do your part to reduce waste and dispose of it responsibly.
No large supermarkets or shopping centres/malls – or many shops or restaurants at all!
That’s right, Aotea is seriously lacking in terms of shops – but if you wanted shopping centres, you’d have stayed put in Auckland City.
Don’t come to the island expecting the convenience of McDonalds or the choice of a big shopping mall.
… but you will find
Small but relatively well-stocked local shops and service with a smile.
Also keep your eyes peeled for roadside stalls, local collective markets and galleries. Many of which have an honesty system instead of a shopkeeper, which we just loved!
The island is also home to a limited number of restaurants and eateries, but many aren’t open every day.
With a little juggling, you’ll find something tasty to eat though – it’s just a matter of deciding which direction to head in before dinner time.
And when you sit down to dinner, be ready to make a new friend or two. The locals are incredibly friendly and generally love sharing their island life with visitors.
Pro tip: We recommend eating out, but also being prepared to cook/self-cater if you’re planning to be there for more than a few days. If coming across on the ferry, it’s a good idea to pack some groceries and a chilly bin in your car. If flying, you can bring a banana box with groceries, or some snacks in your backpack. Don’t panic though – food on the island is more expensive than the mainland, but it’s fairly priced considering the complexity of getting it there.
Great Barrier Island Sports & Social Club- The Claris Store – one of the largest on the island.
No streetlights
Considering there’s no mains power, and the size of the island, it’s not surprising to learn that there aren’t any streetlights on Aotea.
… but you will find
An incredible night sky that’s protected by its Dark Sky Sanctuary status.
We suggest you take a torch if you intend to go walking at night – particularly because the island doesn’t have any dedicated footpaths…
No footpaths
That’s right, the roads on Aotea are shared by cars, motorbikes (like the fun Motubikes we borrowed), bicycles and pedestrians.
As with all roads in New Zealand, keep to the left (particularly around corners), keep your eyes peeled, and pull-over when it’s safe to do so if you’re holding up traffic.
… but you will find
Locals that give you a friendly wave as you drive past, and quiet roads where you can travel at your own pace.
And you’ll find plenty of awesome walking tracks if you’d like to go off-road.
We recommend:
- Whalers Lookout (1.5 hours return)
- Dolphin Bay (3 – 4 hours return)
- Station Rock Lookout (40 – 50 mins return)
- Kaitoke Hot Springs (1.5 hours return)
- Windy Canyon (30 mins return)
- and for those keen, Auckland’s only overnight walk.
- Walking up Windy Canyon.
- Station Rock Lookout – walking back down.
No surf lifeguards
This one’s pretty self-explanatory – nobody will be watching out for your safety when you swim on Aotea Great Barrier Island.
… but you will find
Countless stunning beaches to enjoy – and you may well have them to yourself!
Typically Great Barrier’s western beaches are calmer, while the eastern beaches are more exposed (and are great for surfing).
If you’re planning to swim, keep an eye out for rip currents at surf beaches, swim with a buddy, and don’t push beyond your swimming capabilities.
Pro tip: Keep your eyes peeled for marine life on Aotea – we saw whales from XSPOT, a big pod of dolphins at Harataonga/Overtons Beach and rays at both Tryphena and Port Fitzroy.
No zoos or fun parks
With everything we’ve shared, you probably won’t be surprised to learn that Aotea doesn’t have much in the way of manufactured fun.
… but you will find
Lots of opportunities to make your own fun and enjoy the island’s impressive birdlife and wildlife.
Keep your eyes peeled for the rare takoketai (black petrels), kākā, kākāriki (with their vibrant green feathers, found at Okiwi Park), banded rails, dotterels, pāteke (brown teal) and chevron skinks.
You’ll love hearing the tūī and spotting kōtare (sacred kingfishers), kererū (native wood pigeons) and riroriro (grey warblers).
And that’s not to mention the whales, dolphins, rays and fish in the ocean.
With so much amazing nature to soak up, you won’t want for anything.
But, if you would like something else to do, we highly recommend enjoying one of the many walking tracks, beaches or rivers on the island.
Also be sure to hire a kayak, join a star gazing tour, check out the amazing work they’re doing up at Glenfern Sanctuary and hop on board a fishing charter.
Or how about a gin tasting, or a relaxing massage or yoga session?
Though this island is ‘missing’ a fair bit, we think you’ll agree, it has everything you could hope for for an amazing getaway!
Some of these activities were kindly hosted, to allow us to talk from experience. All thoughts are always our own. We were not obligated to post about them.
