With just around 1,000 locals, the Great Barrier Island feels more like a secret than a destination. It’s one of the most tranquil islands in the South Pacific—quiet, remote, and easy to fall in love with. For anyone after an all-inclusive escape where everything’s taken care of, this is the one! Four days out here means volcanic trails, native forests, and beaches that seem to stretch forever. The blend of warm sea air and rich forest scent makes each breath part of the experience. Here, on Great Barrier Island, nature is king.
Come join our Great Barrier Island tour, a fully guided four-day journey through volcanic peaks, lush kauri forests, golden beaches, and hidden waterfalls! We’ll hike to Mt Hobson for sweeping views, unwind in natural hot springs, and end each day with Kiwi-style meals and harbour-side lodgings. All meals, accommodation, and island transfers are included, leaving you free to soak up the wild beauty and quiet rhythm of Aotea.
We meet at Claris Airport around 10:30 am, ready to begin our island adventure. Our first walk takes us up Te Ahumata/White Cliffs Track, following an old mining road lined with windswept vegetation and rare orchids. From the summit, we enjoy panoramic views across the island before descending to explore Blind Bay or visit Kauri Falls for a refreshing swim. Later, we settle into our lodge overlooking Whangaparapara Harbour, relax with a grazing platter, and enjoy a two-course Kiwi-style dinner as the sun sets.
Hiking: 8–10 km (5–6 mi), 3–4 hours
Meals: Lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Great Barrier Lodge
Today we take on the island’s most rewarding hike, the Aotea Track to Mt Hobson/Hirakimata. Starting in the mossy ravines of Windy Canyon, the track winds through wetlands, native forest, and kauri groves, revealing relics of early logging days and signs of forest regeneration. Climbing to 621 m, we’re rewarded with sweeping 360° views across Aotea and beyond. We descend through Kaitoke Wetlands, home to rare fernbirds and orchids, then finish the day with a soothing soak in natural hot springs.
Hiking: 16 km (10 mi), 6–7 hours
Elevation: +621 m / -621 m (+2,037 ft / -2,037 ft)
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Great Barrier Lodge
We journey north to Port Fitzroy, a landscape of glassy bays and forested hills. Crossing swing bridges and lush nikau groves, we follow the track down to peaceful Bush’s Beach before continuing along Warren’s Creek Track to a secluded waterfall and swimming hole. After lunch, we explore the island’s largest white-sand beach, where we may spot shorebirds and learn the story of a historic shipwreck. We return to the lodge for a home-cooked dinner and a well-earned rest.
Hiking: 8–10 km (5–6 mi), 5 hours
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Great Barrier Lodge
Our final morning begins with a scenic trail along the southern coast to Whalers Lookout, where we may glimpse Bryde’s whales breaching in the sheltered gulf waters. After a picnic lunch, we follow a central ridgeline with views of both coasts, winding through puriri and nikau forest toward Medlands Beach—a stretch of golden sand perfect for a reflective walk or a dip in the sea. Before departing, we visit the local museum or art gallery to soak up the island’s relaxed charm before our evening flight home.
Hiking: 8–10 km (5–6 mi), 3–4 hours
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
We have just returned from 4 day walking tour of Great Barrier Island. The trip was amazing – start to finish. The tour covered most of the key walks, and points on interest on the island. The scenery was absolutely spectacular. The surrounding coastline and beaches were breathtaking. Our guide, Hana, was so friendly, happy, well informed and accommodating – could not have been better. The accommodation at Great Barrier Island lodge was very well located – with a terrific beach right in front of the rooms. The family who owns and runs the lodge made a real effort to accommodate everyone’s dietary preferences. We were in a group of 8 people from very diverse geographies and cultures and we gelled incredibly well – lots of warmth and fun. We highly recommend the guides and the location.
Neither of us had been to Great Barrier Island before, this trip gave us a great sense of the islands’s culture, geography and beauty. There was a real mixture of walking, flat easy days mixed in with a good climb up Mt Hobson! The accomodation and food was also outstanding! We will be recommending this to our friends for sure!!!
The four day Great Barrier Island walking tour was absolutely fantastic. The island is gorgeous and the tour took us across most of the island to experience the best walks. Delightful accommodation at Shoal Bay. Comfortable rooms, yummy home cooking and down to earth hospitality. Our guide Brad was excellent. Very knowledgeable and very skilled at leading the group. The tour exceeded my expectations.
Included:
Add-ons (available to add at checkout)
Not included:
In order to join this Great Barrier Island tour, a moderate level of fitness is recommended. Most trails are easy to moderate, with the biggest challenge being the climb over Mt Hobson, which involves steady elevation gain and plenty of stairs, all together 16 km (10 mi). Guests who prefer not to tackle this section are welcome to spend a relaxing day at the lodge—there’s no pressure to complete every walk.
Trails range from well-formed paths to sections with tree roots, rocks, or mud, and some routes can be adjusted for an easier option. Walking times vary from 3 to 7 hours per day. You’ll carry a small daypack with essentials such as lunch, water, a rain jacket, and an extra layer, typically weighing 3–6 kg depending on your gear. Check out the itinerary for day-by-day distances.
Want to see what else is there in the area? Discover more New Zealand hikes here!
Essential items
Clothing
Optional items
Your guides supply
Great Barrier Island is a remote paradise where people come to truly disconnect. With no fibre-optic connection to the mainland, the island relies mainly on solar power, and the absence of streetlights makes for wonderfully dark, star-filled skies—earning it International Dark Sky Sanctuary status.
Power supply
The Great Barrier Lodge runs on solar energy, with a backup generator for emergencies. To protect the system, we ask that guests leave hairdryers and straighteners at home, as these can overload the power supply. Standard New Zealand three-pin outlets are available in each room for charging devices.
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi is available on the island, including at Claris Airport and during the day at Great Barrier Lodge, though it’s turned off overnight to conserve energy. Coverage while hiking is intermittent, so we recommend downloading any important documents before you travel and bringing a portable battery pack for your phone.
Mobile phone network
Mobile service is available, though coverage varies by provider. One NZ generally offers the most reliable connection, while Spark can be patchy in places. Please note that Great Barrier Lodge does not have a landline.
Group sizes and pricing
Great Barrier Island tours can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements
If your group has participants under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
The price for this Great Barrier Island tour is based on twin-share rooms, but a single occupancy room can be arranged at an additional fee. You can add it to your booking at checkout.
Solo travelers are welcome—they can either share a room with another same-gender solo traveler at no extra cost, or guarantee a private room by paying a single occupancy fee. If there’s no one to share a room with, you’ll get a single room to yourself at no extra charge.
The starting point of your Great Barrier Island tour is Claris Airport on the Great Barrier Island. To get there, it’s best to fly into Claris Airport (GBZ). Ferry from Auckland is also available, but in times of inclement weather the sailing may be cancelled—so your guides recommend flying in from Auckland Airport.
You will meet your guide in the morning of Day 1 at Claris Airport.
We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout.
Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations! Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.
Deposits
Secure your spot with a 30% deposit upon booking! The remaining 70% of the trip price must be paid 90 days prior to departure at the latest. If booking within 90 days of departure, the full amount is required at the time of booking.
Cancellations
Booking fees are non-refundable after a 48-hour grace period. During checkout, however, you can choose one of 57hours’ flexibility options—Basic, Flexible, or Super Flexible. Depending on which one you choose, a different cancellation policy will apply to your booking.
Basic
Flexible
Super Flexible
We have just returned from 4 day walking tour of Great Barrier Island. The trip was amazing – start to finish. The tour covered most of the key walks, and points on interest on the island. The scenery was absolutely spectacular. The surrounding coastline and beaches were breathtaking. Our guide, Hana, was so friendly, happy, well informed and accommodating – could not have been better. The accommodation at Great Barrier Island lodge was very well located – with a terrific beach right in front of the rooms. The family who owns and runs the lodge made a real effort to accommodate everyone’s dietary preferences. We were in a group of 8 people from very diverse geographies and cultures and we gelled incredibly well – lots of warmth and fun. We highly recommend the guides and the location.