Ferry from New Zealand to Great Barrier Island

About New Zealand

New Zealand is an island nation in the south-west Pacific Ocean consisting of the North and South Islands, approximately 1,500 kilometres east of Australia. When it comes to awe-inspiring natural backdrops, New Zealand’s landscape tops the list. Glacial fjords, jagged mountains, rolling green plains, cascading rivers, active volcanoes and idyllic beaches fill this 268,021-sq-km nation. Also, with a population of just 4.6 million, it offers the ideal scenery for long, peaceful hikes. When it comes to urban areas, New Zealand doesn’t fail to deliver, either. The capital, Wellington is the cultural hub, characterised by Victorian architecture and a vibrant downtown, whilst the affluent Auckland, with its iconic Sky Tower, boasts superb restaurants and a superyacht-filled harbour. As a country comprising 2 main islands and numerous offshore islets, travelling by ferry is a popular way to get around New Zealand. There are plenty of fast crossings to the Hauraki Islands by Auckland, between the North and South Islands and to Stewart Island in the south.

About Great Barrier Island

Great Barrier is the largest island in the Hauraki Gulf of New Zealand, about a hundred kilometres to the east of Auckland on the North Island. What is the island like? Showcasing some of New Zealand’s most untamed and beautiful wilderness, Great Barrier Island is the sixth largest in the country. The eastern coastline has long protected Auckland from the raging Pacific Ocean, with high cliffs and world class surf breaks, while on the other side you’ll find idyllic bays and sheltered beaches. More than two thirds of the two hundred and eighty five square-kilometre island is owned by the Department of Conservation, encompassing hot springs, waterfalls, a forest sanctuary and natural swimming holes, so it’s best enjoyed by foot. One of the best hiking routes takes you up Mount Hobson, reaching six hundred and twenty seven metres high, rewarding you with panoramic views and a great chance to spot some of the endemic bird species like black petrel and North Island kaka parrots. A more family-friendly track can be found along the outskirts of the Kaitoke Swamp, past an ancient conifer forest, to the sulphurous hot springs. But if a simple stroll is what you’re after, be sure to explore the fabulous Aotea Conservation Park, covering twelve thousand hectares and home to the richest and most diverse plant life in the Auckland area, including numerous rare frogs. When to go Tryphena, the main settlement, stretches several kilometres along the southwest coast, making it a great hub for marine excursions like dolphin-watching, fishing trips, kayaking and diving. Port Fitzroy, with its humble population of thirty, is a must-visit in January while the annual Mussel Fest is held, celebrating the exquisite mussels farmed there. For keen athletes, the ‘wharf to wharf’ marathon held each October is ideal for getting closer to Great Barrier’s wildlife and natural scenery, nicknamed ‘New Zealand’s friendliest marathon’. Ferry services to Great Barrier Island As one of the most popular weekend break destinations in the Auckland region, sailing to Great Barrier Island from the capital is quick and easy. Sealink NZ offers year-round trips to the island half a dozen times a week, lasting roughly four and a half hours each way.