Included:

• • One or two experienced hiking guides with extensive knowledge of the area
  • 4-day Great Barrier Island tour
  • Accommodation for 3 nights in a lodge (double occupancy, ensuite)
  • Transport during the tour
  • All meals — breakfasts, picnic lunches, dinners, snacks
  • Two complimentary glasses of crisp New Zealand wine or craft beer with dinner (non-alcoholic options available)
  • Tea and plunger coffee
  • Complimentary hire of hiking equipment; day packs, raincoats and hiking poles

Add-ons (available to add at checkout)

• • Single occupancy room

Not included:

• • Transportation to New Zealand
  • Domestic flights
  • Pre or post-tour accommodation
  • Additional alcoholic beverages
  • Insurance — mandatory, available to add at checkout
  • Guide gratuities — optional

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

• • Hiking boots (well worn-in)
  • Light shoes or sandals for evenings
  • Warm hat
  • Sleepwear
  • Reusable drink bottle (minimum 1 litre for Days 1, 3 & 4; at least 2 litres for Day 2 on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing), please have it full before pickup on Day 1)
  • Personal toiletries and medications
  • Sunscreen and sunhat
  • Blister kit and plasters
  • Mobile phone and battery charging bank
  • Bathing suit and towel

Clothing

• • Several layers of wool, polypropylene, or polar fleece for warmth in varying weather (no cotton shirts, as they stay cold when wet)
  • Shorts or lightweight quick-dry trousers
  • Short-sleeved shirts (quick-dry, polypropylene, or wool; merino is ideal)
  • Long-sleeved shirt or sweater (wool or polypropylene)
  • Warm, windproof outer layer (Gore-Tex, soft-shell jacket, or similar)
  • Wool socks (at least two pairs) — well-fitting hiking socks reduce the chance of blisters
  • Leggings (wool or polypropylene), especially for October, November, and April
  • Spare clothing — extra socks and thermal layers for unexpected cold conditions

Optional items

• • Bathing suit and towel for beach swims
  • Walking sticks (recommended for those with weak knees, ankles, or hips)
  • Sandals or jandals for sandy shore walks
  • Insect repellent (insects are rarely a problem)
  • Personal hand sanitiser and face mask

Your guides supply

• • Generous, nutritious meals featuring fresh local produce, packed lunches, trail snacks, chocolate, fresh fruit, and hot and cold drinks
  • Two complimentary glasses of crisp New Zealand wine or craft beer with dinner (non-alcoholic options available)
  • Bed linen, bath towels, pillows, and blankets
  • Toilet paper, soap, and hand sanitiser

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

• • For this Great Barrier Island tour, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 10:1. 
  • It takes a minimum of 6 people for this tour to operate. The maximum group size is set at 13 participants.

Great Barrier Island tours can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

Min. age requirements

• • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
  • Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join the Great Barrier Island tour on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.

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.