Cruise Great Barrier Island
A 'Kiwi Style' Vacation
Day to Day Itinerary - Minimum 2 Day Voyage.
For over 20 years my husband and I have been holidaying in the pristine waters of Great Barrier Island, New Zealand. We introduced our children, Alexandra (10) and
James (8) to the natural beauty of the island when they were both less than three months old, and have returned every year since. Our boating adventures began in a
20ft cabin cruiser with very basic facilities, and now we have brought a dream to life through our 60' catamaran Te Ngakau a Kupe and 62' catamaran Te Okupu. A dream we can share with you, your family and friends.
Great Barrier Island is located a mere 40 nautical miles from central Auckland, but
feels a million miles from civilisation and the crowds of the city. Visiting Great Barrier Island is a journey back in time, to the New Zealand of many years ago - untouched,
unspoiled and unrushed - just how the best vacation should be.
Stunning all year round, 'The Barrier' is at its best in the kiwi summer - December
through April. During this five day experience you'll circumnavigate the island and
see its rugged beauty for yourself - an opportunity most Kiwis will never have!
There is so much to see and do at Great Barrier that each day will be filled with fun and activity - sailing, fishing, diving, snorkeling, kayaking, and hiking. Or you can just
do nothing, and enjoy the secluded luxury on board Kupe.
 DAY ONE - Your Voyage Begins.... |
Whangapoua Beach
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Kupe in Whangaparapara Harbour |
Early morning light on Port Fitzroy Harbour | We will transfer you from your hotel to Auckland domestic airport for a 30 minute flight
on Great Barrier Airlines to Claris, Great Barrier Island (helicopter option also available). Then it's a 20 minute transfer to Whangaparapara Harbour where the boat awaits.
Your first adventure is a hunting and gathering dive for dinner! If you are not a diver,
the crew will dive for you while you snorkel. You can learn to prepare the crayfish or scallops ready for cooking 'kiwi style' for tonight's evening meal.
After this food fun we head a little way up the coast through the Broken Islands, past
the local fishing village and into the almost land-locked Port Fitzroy Harbour. Port Fitzroy
is calm and sheltered, containing many beautiful bays and mussel farms. We will take you ashore at Smokehouse Bay to explore and play and then walk up to the local shop for an ice cream at the Port Fitzroy wharf.
Additional "Eco" Option - take a guided walk through the amazing Glenfern Sanctuary. Glenfern Sanctuary offers a rare opportunity to experience native wildlife on Great
Barrier Island. The sanctuary is part of the 230ha Kotuku Peninsula in the north of Great Barrier Island between Port Fitzroy and Port Abercrombie and the result of 15 years hard work by the Bouzaid family. Over 9,000 native trees have been planted and there is an extensive track network. A swing bridge enables visitors to climb into the crown of a 600 year old kauri tree. Ongoing rat and cat control has helped provide a relatively safe
habitat for many native species including the Black Petrel and Brown Teal which are breeding here, also the Kaka and the Chevron Skink and the recently introduced North Island Robin.
In the afternoon we head out of the harbour and travel a few minutes west to our secret fishing spot. On the way we pass a large Gannet colony high on the cliff where you can observe nests and baby birds being fed. We will school you in our speciality fishing style - deep water stray-lining for large Snapper. This is very light line fishing which requires a
fine touch and technique. In the next few hours you will perfect both the art and catch dinner!
Also in this vicinity, around 4pm to 6pm each evening, the Dolphins come to play. They enjoy bow-riding on Kupe's dynamic bows and you may have the unforgettable opportunity of getting in the water with them.
Frequently we encounter bird work-ups which signal large schools of often very large Snapper chasing bait fish to the surface. Recently, one of our guests caught a beautiful 17lb Snapper out of one of these work ups (which we tagged and released at their
request - we already had plenty for dinner).
After the excitement of fishing we take anchor in a quiet bay near Port Fitzroy for
the evening. You may want to explore this secluded area further using the on- board kayaks or dinghy, and the kids can go ski-biscuiting. Later, watch the spectacular sunset
as you wind down on the back deck. Following dinner, enjoy a DVD or simply surrender to your comfortable bed. Many guests claim to have had their best sleep ever on board Kupe, and even diehard early risers are often not seen until mid morning!
DAY TWO - It's Time To Play |
Exploring on Kupe's dinghy
Great Barrier offers beautiful bush walks
The Gannet Colony
Dolphins playing off Kupe's bow
Fishing is fun for all ages |
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Pohutakawa in flower at Katherine Bay |
Boogie boarding - fun for all ages! |
Your luxurious adventure begins each day when you awake, with a beautiful breakfast in the sun. It continues at your pace - actively or leisurely, lunch on board or a picnic ashore. Many guests enjoy learning about the running of the boat and taking a hand in steering, raising the sails or anchoring. Others prefer to relax and watch it all happen around them. It's your vacation and your choice!
This morning we travel to Katherine Bay for a morning on the beach. There is every chance you will be the only people on the beach, allowing you to enjoy your own haven of white sand, soft waves, bush walks and streams. Take a stroll or sunbathe, read a book or try some of our favourite family beach activities - boogie boarding, T Ball, Frisbee, making a new tree swing or damming up the stream (below high tide). Like many of the bays at Great Barrier, the beach is fringed with our native 'Christmas Tree', the Pohutukawa, with its bright red flowers bursting out in December and early January.
In the afternoon we head north and around the north west to the Mokohinau Islands. Dolphins and whales are often sighted enroute to this craggy cluster of islands 15 miles away. Your biggest decision is to sail or fish on the way? With the sails up and the engines off you will truly be in a peaceful paradise for the next hour and an half. Or, with the lures in the water we can take our time and 'work' the warm currents in this area - this is known Marlin territory! It's your choice.
When we reach 'the Mokes' there is time for fishing, diving or exploring before we settle in for the night. Not to be missed is an adventure tour in the dinghy through the unique caves, arches and rock formations of the islands. Tonight, we will anchor in the amazing 'Arch' and switch on Kupe's underwater lights to create a remarkable aquarium at the back of the boat. An extensive array of fish life is drawn into the lights and clearly visible in the 40' plus of illuminated clear water. For non-snorkellers and divers, this is a unique way to experience underwater New Zealand.
DAY THREE - Just Magic! |
The beaches are blissfully uninhabited
Freshly caught lobster (crayfish)
Kupe's underwater aquarium |
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The Mokohinau's |
The Needles on dusk | After breakfast, the energetic amongst you (or just those wanting to compensate for all the beautiful meals so far) may wish to take the 30 minute hike up to the lighthouse on Burgess Island, the biggest of the three islands in the Mokohinau group. This place is special to us, as John's great grandfather was a lighthouse keeper here early last century. At the top, you will be rewarded with a spectacular view of the coast of New Zealand, Great Barrier and beyond, not to mention an aerial view of the boat anchored below you. There are several native species on the island, and helpful Department of Conservation signs and tracks help you spot these. Burgess is the only island in the group we are allowed to land on, as the other two islands are nature reserves.
Later in the morning, we set sail for the eastern side of Great Barrier, about 1.5 hours away to The Needles. This rugged and beautiful coast has unique rock formations and huge cuttings in the rocks that even 62' TE Okupu can sail through. We stop first at Rangiwhakaea Bay (known affectionately as Wash-house Bay, as many years ago we used to wash our clothes here in one of the streams). Your options for this afternoon are:
- Perfect your fishing technique at another secret spot on dusk
- Go ashore for more beach time at one of the bay's three deserted beaches
- Dive / snorkel for crayfish, or just for fun
- Kayak the coastline
- Or simply do nothing in the most perfect of surroundings!
As we are now on the eastern side of the island, rather than a spectacular sunset, there is a soft, glowing light on the hills as the sun goes down. Still beautiful, especially with a chilled New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc and home made canapés to enjoy.
Tonight we anchor at Arid Cove on Rakitu Island, a Department of Conservation owned working farm.
DAY FOUR - Breathtaking Beaches |
The lighthouse on Burgess Island
Cocktails at sunset
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Arid Cove |
Breathtaking Whangapoua Beach | There is an early morning hike on offer should you wish to leave the comfort of your cabin. Otherwise, sleep in and enjoy a leisurely breakfast soaking up the epitome of a Kiwi summer view - a pretty beach, clear water, Pohutukawa in bloom and only one or two other boats in the bay with us. As always, it is your choice, and your decision could well be dictated by what you would like to see on the menu this evening - is it local Clam (we call them cockles), Kingfish, Scallops or more Crayfish? Perhaps you even feel like a good steak or some Kiwi Lamb by now! Whatever the decision, we will certainly make sure we head in to the main island to go ashore at Whangapoua Beach at some stage during the day.
Whangapoua Beach is breathtaking; at one end there is the world famous surf break of the Okiwi Estuary, and at the other a historic memorial site telling the story of the wreck of the ship Wairarapa in 1894 with the loss of 121 lives. In between these two points is 2.5km of gleaming white sand beach, with the waves rolling in unbroken from South America.
On the way, there are several more Cray-fishing spots to be checked out. We spend tonight in beautiful Haratoanga Bay, our favourite bay on this side of the island. On the way, there are several more Cray-fishing spots to be checked out (by you or the crew), or you can opt to head directly to Haratoanga and take the kayaks up the stream to see the native and endangered Pateke (Brown Teal) nesting. This is a beautiful, softly flowing stream which runs right down to the waves and is easy to paddle to.
By now, the boat will certainly feel like home and you will spend the evening relaxing on your favourite part of the vessel. You may choose the trampoline at the bow with the cool breeze and lapping water beneath you, Or maybe the cockpit with comfortable lounger and cocktail in hand as the crew fillet the fish and prepare the shellfish. You may curl up on the couch in the saloon, or stretch out on your own comfortable berth. Add to the ambience by selecting tunes from our iPod or plug your own iPod into the powerful on board Bose stereo system.
DAY FIVE - Waterfall Bay |
Kupe has all the scuba gear you could need
A tasty lobster platter on-board Kupe
Kayaking upstream at Haratoanga Bay
Do nothing in perfect surroundings! |
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Kupe's trampoline is a great spot to soak
up the sun |
Gamesailing makes a great family experience |
This morning we sail down the coast to Cape Barrier at the southern end of the island. Just at the Cape are the sharp and sheer cliffs that enclose Waterfall Bay, where we will stop for a swim. This is a beautiful anchorage, and you can just about see the Crayfish and Paua on the bottom in the 50' water. A crystal clear stream runs down the hill and it's a fun walk up to the beautiful waterfall about 10 minutes away.
This afternoon you still have a couple of hours to savour the comfort and serenity of Kupe before docking at Tryphena Harbour for your transfer to the airport. Once you are back in Auckland we can assist with onward travel arrangements and you can continue your journey by air, rental car or fully escorted transfer.
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Included
- All meals. Cooked breakfast, morning tea, lunch, pre dinner snacks, 2 course dinner. Food is freshly prepared 'kiwi-style', homemade and organic wherever possible. View our
sample menus.
- Beverages. Great NZ Wine and Beers as well as all non-alcoholic drinks - tea, coffee, juice, sodas etc.
- All activities - diving, fishing, sailing, kayaking, snorkelling, boogie boarding etc.
There are no hidden costs, taxes or levies.**
Not Included
- Flights and transfers
- On-shore excursions and restaurant meals
NOTE:
- All itineraries are subject to the weather and can be altered at the Skipper's discretion.
- Price on application.
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Photos
Banner 1: Medlands Beach, Great Barrier Island, supplied by Auckland Tourism
Banner 2: Lavender in the sunset at Bay Lodge Cottage, Great Barrier by Christine Erkkila
Banner 3: Dolphins by Christine Erkkila.
Page Photos :1,2,3,4-& 5 Great Barrier Island scenes by Christine Erkkila
Photo 6: Walking track on Great Barrier Island by Scott Venning
Photos 7 -11: Great Barrie Island scenes by Christine Erkkila
Photo 12: Walk along the beach by Andrea Downey
Photo 13:Freshly caught lobster by Christine Erkkila
Photo 14: Kupe's underwater aquarium by Mike Rendle
Photo 15 & 16: Mokohinau vistas by Shonn Hendee
Photo 17: Burgess Island lighthouse by Christine Erkkila
Photo 18 & 19:Cocktails at sunset and nibbles by Christine Erkkila
Photos 20 & 21: Arid Cove and Whangapoua Beach by Christine Erkkila
Photo 22: Diving gear on board Kupe by Andrew Witherspoon
Photo 23 & 24: Crayfish platter & kayaking on Great Barrier Island by Christine Erkkila
Photo 25: Guest relaxing by Christine Errkkila
Photo 26:Girls sunbathing by Christine Erkkila
Photo 27: Family at sunset by Christine Erkkila
Photo 28: Waterfall Bay and Kupe in full sail by Christine Erkkila |
The waterfall at Waterfall Bay
Kupe in full sail
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