0800 110 108
info@mondotravel.co.nz
From $3,590
3 nights
Tuesday 11th of November 2025 until Friday 14th of November 2025
Journey to one of the most unspoiled places you will ever find, Aotea, Great Barrier Island. This extraordinary island offers a perfect blend of natural beauty, tranquillity, and unique experiences. Begin your adventure with a scenic flight from Auckland and enjoy the serenity of this remote island. Spend your first evening stargazing in the Great Barrier Island Dark Sky Sanctuary, a truly unforgettable experience. During your time on the island, immerse yourself in its natural beauty with a coastal cruise around the Broken Islands, wander through the Nīkau palm grove, and visit the Glenfern Sanctuary and FitzRoy House, Jacques Haven, and the famous Milk, Honey & Grain Museum, and the Community Arts Village. This relaxed, immersive journey invites you to discover the true essence of one of New Zealand’s most unspoiled regions.
Our tour starts today travelling from Hamilton to Auckland by coach for a scenic 30-minute flight to Great Barrier Island, with our flight departing Auckland in the mid-afternoon. We fly into Claris where we are met by our local driver-guide and head off to begin our exploration of Great Barrier Island. We view the beautiful Medlands Beach and explore the Tryphena area before checking in to our accommodation. Sunset Waterfront Lodge is located near the water’s edge in Tryphena and is a fantastic base from which to explore the beauty of Great Barrier Island. It’s also the perfect spot to relax and watch the famous Tryphena sunsets. Tonight, we enjoy a welcome BBQ dinner. Following dinner, we enjoy a tour highlight – Stargazing on Great Barrier Island! Our friendly local guide entertains us with interesting facts and fascinating stories about the stars. Lean back in a comfy moon chair, look up and see the thousands of stars visible in the Dark Sky Sanctuary. We take a closer look at the Milky Way, maybe see a planet, or even spot a satellite, a meteor, or a distant galaxy. Excursion subject to suitable weather.
Sunset Waterfront Lodge, Great Barrier Island – 3 nights / Dinner included
We enjoy a leisurely morning at our lodge after our late–night gazing at the stars. Perhaps sit back and relax enjoying the sea views or stroll along the beach. In the late morning, we head for an easy 10-minute bush-walk to explore a stunning ‘Great Barrier Island Nīkau Palm’ grove. We stop in at Claris on our way through to purchase some lunch to eat later today (own cost). We call into Okupu Beach to check out the ancient Pōhutukawa trees and tour around to the ‘Forgotten Wharf’ at Blind Bay, a very scenic route with lovely old stone bridges and deep gullied streams. We enjoy lunch on the shores of the beach before travelling to Jacques Haven; birds, bees, flowers, trees, and yummy honey tasting. We enjoy a lovely, guided tour of the property with the owner, with Jacques explaining the work he has done. We take a scenic drive up to Awana Bay and Kaitoke Beach before retracing our steps back to Tryphena. Tonight, we enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.
Breakfast & Dinner included today
After breakfast this morning we travel to Whangaparapara Wharf to board the ‘Sundancer’ for our private spectacular coastal cruise. Our driver introduces us to our skipper who will look after us on the cruise. We look at the old Kauri Sawmill and Whaling Station sites before heading up the west coast and through the spectacular Broken Islands. Once through the Man O’War Passage, enjoy a scrumptious on-board lunch in the sheltered waters of the beautiful Port FitzRoy Harbour. After lunch, we disembark from the Sundancer at the Glenfern Sanctuary – FitzRoy House, where staff give us an informative presentation explaining what they are doing at the sanctuary regarding pest control, native plants and bird reintroduction. Fitzroy House sits on the water’s edge and is home to Kākā parrots, wood pigeons, banded rail and much more. After the presentation, we are transferred to Sunset Rock for an amazing panoramic view of Port Fitzroy Harbour and beyond. Our driver meets us here and we travel back down the east coast enjoying great views of Rakitu Island, The Windy Canyon and Pacific Ocean Panoramas. Stopping at Awana, take an optional walk along this spectacular east coast surf beach. Tonight, we enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included today
Following breakfast, we visit the famous ‘Milk, Honey & Grain Museum and the Community Arts Village’ in Claris. A local resident shares his passion for Great Barrier Island’s incredible history which is generously displayed at his quaint and quirky museum, situated on the main road into Claris. We also visit the Pigeon Post for gifts/souvenirs and there will be time to purchase an early lunch at My Fat Puku Café (own cost) before our tour concludes with a flight from Great Barrier Island to Auckland. Onward travel for those who started their journey in Hamilton.
Breakfast included
Sunset Waterfront Lodge, Great Barrier Island
Located right on the water’s edge at Tryphena, Sunset Waterfront Lodge is the perfect gateway to the beautiful beaches and native bush. The lodges Villa’s and Studio have stunning views of the water and native bush and are all fully-contained. Just a short walk across the lawn, enjoy the unique views from Great Barrier Island.
Balance of tour payment due Monday 22 September 2025
