Blogs from Great Barrier Island, North Island, New Zealand, Oceania

Take 2... I wrote this all up yesterday and didn't save it (when will I learn!?) and lost it. Meh. So here we go again... Sean and I are back on the mainland as of March 12th. We left from Rotoroa early, early morning March 8th to catch the Sealink Ferry from Auckland to the Great Barrier Island (named as such by Cpt Cook who said the Island acted as a barrier between the ocean and the bay that Auckland is now in). Just an FYI to those of our readers already in New Zealand, or considering coming to New Zealand, Sealink was not a favorable company to deal with in terms of their long term parking policy. I won't go into too many details, but we'll just say Sean had to be proactive in ensuring ... read more

Auckland - Tryphena - Medlands - Haratonga - Port Fitzroy - Windy Canyon - Mount Hobson - South Fork - Port Fitzroy - Auckland Our journey to Great Barrier Island began as every journey should: with a muffin. For years I’ve considered muffins to be the third lowest form of pudding behind fruit and Petit Filous yoghurts. In the cake stakes they definitely sit at the bottom of the stack. It has been with some disappointment then that I have watched the humble muffin become the fashionable cake of the decade, replacing doughnuts (which are sooo 90’s) as the cake of choice. However, on the four and three quarter hour ferry journey from Auckland to Great Barrier Island, my enthusiasm for the most boring of all bakery products was greatly lifted by a moist little raspberry ... read more

Having one more week left in New Zealand, Bradley and I decided to go to the Great Barrier Island- a hidden treasure just off the coast of Auckland. Before we had even collected our bags from the ferry we had met two guys, Tony and Leon, who greeted us with warm smiles and invited us to go chill at the beach with them for the day. Having no plans Bradley and I were instanly greateful to have met some locals on the island and eagerly joined them on the beach. We got our first glimpse of the beautiful island and relaxed on the beach while making some new friends. The four days I spent in Great Barrier Island (GBI) was the best 4 days of my trip in New Zealand- seems unbelievable to me that each ... read more

Just some web addresses you might need to know Great Barrier Airlines www.greatbarrierairlines.co.nz or click here...Great Barrier Airlines Just some information about the airlines: Great Barrier Airlines was established in 1983. Great Barrier Airlines flew its first scheduled service to Great Barrier Island on the 2nd of December 1983, departing from Ardmore Airfield. Today we operate out of Auckland International, North Shore's Dairy Flat, Whangarei, Whitianga, and Matarangi Airports. Great Barrier Airlines is certified to airline atandards under part 125. Our Flight Operations Certificate currently allows us to operate aircraft types up to 30 passenger seats. Some More pictures: img=http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2... read more

Sunset at Mulberry Grove. Taken Form 'Sea View' A rentable cottage right on the beach. To Rent call 0212178706 or 4290490 and ask about renting seaview. Sunset at Amana. (Schooner Bay) This is also a rentable house with around 5 rooms. Just call 0212178706 or 4290490 and ask about renting amana. Taken at same place as above. This is the sea / beach at goosberryflat/ pa beach. Tryphena.... read more