Aotea (Great Barrier) Island

Blairs landing sign

Photo: Simon

Treasure islands(approve sites)

pest status(approve sites)
Kaurie dieback(approve sites)

Palmers Track at Windy Canyon

Photo: Simon

Books

Greta Barrier Island - human and natural history, Don Armitage, 2011, Canterbury University Press
Tales from Great Barrier Island, Helen Jordan Luff, 2003, David Ling Publishing Ltd
Images of a Nation - Great Barrier, Dave Hancock and Rob Tucker, 2011, Tucker Media

From the Great Barrier Island History Research Group

Captain John Gillies
Great Barrier Island Shipwrecks
True Tales of Great Barrier Island

Sunset

Photo: Simon

Leaving Auckland, Harbour Bridge

Photo: Simon

Anne at Pa Point

Photo: Simon

New Zealand's sixth largest island, of 285 square kilometres, highest point Hirakimata, 621 metres. The Department of Conservation administers more than 60% of the island(approve sites). There is a permanent population of around 850 people. Located 100km northeast of central Auckland it is about 4½ hours by regular ferry or 30 minutes by air.

Great Barrier Island, so named by Captain James Cook, is part of the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park(approve sites).

Department of Conservation(approve sites)

island activities(approve sites)
- Aotea Track (2-3 day walk)(approve sites)
- Burrill Track(approve sites)
- Harataonga area tramping tracks(approve sites)
- Kaitoke Hot Springs Track(approve sites)
- Palmers Track via Windy Canyon(approve sites)
- Port Fitzroy tramping tracks(approve sites)
- Port Fitzroy walking tracks(approve sites)
- Wairarapa Graves walking tracks(approve sites)
Kaiaraara Track and Kauri Dams(approve sites)
island features(approve sites)
campsites and huts(approve sites)
- Akapoua Bay campsite(approve sites)
- Awana Beach campsite(approve sites)
- Green campsite(approve sites)
- Harataonga campsite(approve sites)
- Medlands Beach campsite(approve sites)
- Whangapoua campsite(approve sites)
- Kaiaraara Hut(approve sites)
- Mt Heale Hut(approve sites)
history(approve sites)
Glenfern Sanctuary(approve sites)

Transport

The island has perhaps a couple of hundred kilometres of roads. Roads are generally single lane and windy. The main roads are largely sealed, all others are metalled. Average speed on roads is 35 to 40km per hour. 4WD is an advantage on some roads. In addition there are many, signposted, private roads.