Earthsong Lodge - 5 star holiday accommodation on Great Barrier Island Auckland New Zealand

Essence of Adventure

Beautiful white beaches, rugged wilderness, subtropical virgin forest, rate plant and bird life are just some of the island's many attractions.

A large part of the Great Barrier's charm is the fact that the island is still quite remote and the relaxed lifestyle is very different to how most of us live. With a permanent population of around 800 this sparsely populated 285 square km island is one of the few untouched and unspoilt places still remaining in the world.

Rare flora and fauna and New Zealand native birdlife thrive with the absence of predators. The coastline also provides a diversity of habitats for aquatic plants and animals.

The Barrier's location on the edge of the Pacific Ocean means that its waters contain all manner of unexpected visitors from whales, dolphins and pelagic fish to manta rays and turtles.

Hiking and Walking Trails

Great Barrier Island offers a wide range of walking, tramping and hiking tracks. There are over 100 kilometres of walking tracks on the island, from short day walks on well formed tracks such at the popular Kaitoke Hot Springs track, to challenging hiking tracks through the steep interior of the island

A number of these tracks lead to the summit of Mt Hirakimata (Mt Hobson), which offers extensive views of the island, across the Hauraki Gulf and surrounding coastline. The climb to the top of Windy Canyon, is a spectacular short walk. The path winds around rocky outcrops and past sheer cliffs coated with rata vines, Rewarewa and purple-flowered Hebe and takes in breathtaking views of the island and beyond.

Kaitoke Hot Springs Track is a popular easy walk to thermal hot springs on Great Barrier Island. It's buggy and wheel chair friendly too. Windy Canyon Lookout is also a popular walk offering spectacular views. Discover some of the Port Fitzroy tracks which give you great views of the island, and explore the Port Fitzroy area on one of the walks, ranging from 15 minutes to an hour.

Guided Hiking Tours

With a guide for the day (or half day) explore the island with a tailor-made tour. Discover spectacular Windy Canyon, the magnificent east coast beaches and visit Glenfern Sanctuary.

Glenfern Sanctuary offers a rare opportunity to experience native wildlife on Great Barrier Island. The Sanctuary is part of 230ha Kotuku Peninsula in the north of Great Barrier Island between Port FitzRoy and Port Abercrombie and the result of 18 years hard work.
Over 9,000 native trees have been planted and there is an extensive network of tracks. Across a swing bridge you can climb into the crown of a 600 year old giant kauri tree above the forest canopy.
The sanctuary is a safe habitat for many native species including the black petrel and brown teal which are breeding here, also kaka and chevron skink and the recently introduced North Island robin.

Earthsong Lodge can tailor a variety of adventures to suit your personal interests. Discover secluded natural hot springs or walk hand in hand along the shoreline of romantic white sandy beaches. On Great Barrier Island you can take a soak in thermal hot springs, tramp through coastal forests or snorkel in an isolated cove.

Chaos Charters will take you fishing - half and full day charters can be arranged

"It wasn't just the excitement of fishing from Lighthouse point that made our day. As we fished dolphins played in the bay 50m from us and massive stingrays glided by so close we could have touched them. There was a feast of snapper, kahawai and blue mau-mau. More than that there was "something big" that took all the gear from both rods effortlessly and left us wondering about the one that got away??" Beth Woodgate, April 2008

Helifishing Adventures

Helicopter charters can be arranged for you to experience the ultimate in heli-fishing. Helicopter to a remote rock ledge above a deepwater dropoff in search of monster Snapper or Kingfish. Heletranz are the pioneers of helifishing and after almost two decades have discovered some great locations and have an understanding of what makes fishermen happy.

Great Barrier Kayaks offer sea kayaking and snorkelling in a subtropical paradise. Fully Guided Tours and lessons are available for new paddlers. Many of our guests recount their kayak experience being accompanied by families of dolphins that live in the coastal waters of Great Barrier Island.

Surfs up on the Barrier

Want to learn to surf? Need to master that turn? Want to be coached by a pro? Aotea Surf School offers surf school classes for all levels. Izzy and Kelly run a variety of surf school classes 7 days a week over the summer months.

Lessons run for two hours and its a good idea to book ahead.

Getting around the Island - Many people don't realize that Great Barrier Island is New Zealand's 4th largest island and because of its size and remoteness a vehicle is a big advantage to getting around. For this reason your hosts are happy to arrange a vehicle hire for your stay.

Contact us-- to book your adventure

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Earthsong Lodge, 38 Medland Road, Tryphena, Great Barrier Island, Auckland, 0962 New Zealand ph +64 9 4290030


Earthsong Lodge is proud to be a member of Lodges of New Zealand the premier group of luxury lodges	International movement promoting biodiversity and protecting traditional cuisine culture	Independently graded 5 star by Qualmark and described as exceptional among the best in New Zealand	Enviro Gold is Qualmark's highest award for sustainable tourism	A group of 5 star accommodation offering unique and quintessentially New Zealand adventure packages and itineraries	An Exclusive Collection of New Zealand Luxury Accommodation and Services