
Great Barrier Island vacation rentals
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Top-rated vacation rentals in Great Barrier Island
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Other great vacation rentals in Great Barrier Island

Medlands on the Beach
We stayed for four nights with friends. We thoroughly enjoyed the space and location both of which were excellent. Fiona's communication was very good and she was flexible in accommodating our needs which was appreciated. We would highly recommend this airbnb to others. Jonathan & Carol

The Hut at Medlands
Prime location in Medlands. 2min walk to the beach. 1min drive to local brewery/coffee spot. Loved the layout of the house. Two pods, lounge/kitchen/dining then a two bedroom with bathroom inbetween. Huge deck with beanbags, chairs, outdoor lounge suite & table and chairs. Huge outdoor umbrella that you can move to any spot you like and adjust to sun. Perfect for summer. Kitchen fully stocked with everything you need to cook with, eat with etc. Sunny location - all day sun. Nadia was super efficient with communication and super accommodating. Loved our stay at the hut. Thank you so much.

Motu Honey House
What a kind, generous man in a fantastic place. Alan was such a wonderful host, nothing was too much trouble. Staying at his house is a rare opportunity to experience the true Barrier spirit. From the first moment of contacting Alan to the moment we left we could not have asked for more.

Koru cottage Medlands Beach, Great Barrier Island
We had a great weekend at Koru Cottage. The master bedroom has beautiful views out to the surrounding bush. Opening up all the doors of the cottage during a sunny day was fantastic. The kitchen was well stocked with basic cooking supplies, utensils, crockery, etc. The outdoor shower and toilet took a bit of getting used to, but was a great novelty for the kids. Kids are well catered for with toys, books and cosy beds. It's a steep (and only partially paved) walk up from the carpark at the camping ground, but the view is great and it doesn't take long until you're up at the cottage. Shane also organised a car for us on the cottage side of the creek, which was really helpful for tired little legs after a big day of exploring the island. We'd recommend this place for couples or families with small children. A great base while on the island.

Island Escape: Sleeps 8, Near Beach & Cafe
We loved our time staying at the Barrier - it was a perfect location, amazing bird life and great place to stay for families. We would recommend the Aotea walk.

Bohohill Escape - Great Barrier Island apartment
Neill is a very welcoming, friendly and generous host. His home was fully equipped and functional with everything we needed for the duration of our stay. Stunning views, comfortable and private. Highly recommend!! Cheers Neil, you're a legend mate Leah and Leon

Bazza's Beach House
Unbelievable views, lovely bach and fantastic hosts. Our first time to Aotea and we couldn’t have asked for a better place to stay.

Tryphena 5 Bedroom House Seaviews/Bushviews
We absolutely loved our stay at Great Barrier Island . Dirk and Angela are friendly hosts and great communication. The house is in a perfect location, easy walk to pub, store , cafe and stunning beaches . Great views of the sea and hills . For an off the grid bach you couldn’t want for anything , tv , dishwasher, coffee machine. Family enjoyed the pool table and table tennis . Thoroughly recommend staying here and can’t wait to come back .
Your guide to Great Barrier Island
All About Great Barrier Island
Great Barrier Island is located just off the North Island of New Zealand, around 55 miles from Auckland. It’s the largest of the Hauraki Gulf Islands, but you’d never know that by its population: more than half of the island is a nature reserve and only 1,000 people live here, spread across a handful of small towns and settlements in off-the-grid homes powered by solar and wind energy. This environmentally sustainable lifestyle contributes to the island’s classification as a Dark Sky Sanctuary, which means you can expect crystal-clear stargazing here.
The island’s lush green landscapes, sparkling white-sand beaches, untouched wetlands, and natural hot springs are ripe for exploration. Hirakimata (Mount Hobson) is a popular hiking spot, as its 2,000-foot peak offers panoramic views. Great Barrier Island is situated in New Zealand’s only National Marine Park, which makes for excellent diving and snorkelling conditions too.
The best time to stay in a vacation rental in Great Barrier Island
Auckland has relatively moderate weather all year round, so there is no bad time to secure your Great Barrier Island vacation rentals. The summer months of December through March tend to be hot and sunny, with picture-perfect weather for hiking or hitting the beach. This is a very popular time to visit, especially during the school holidays, so book plane or ferry tickets well in advance. Spring (September through December) and fall (March through June) are great times to visit, as they are usually quieter, but you can still count on good weather. During the winter, it can get damp and chilly, so make sure you pack a few extra layers. It’s always smart to bring high-SPF sunscreen when traveling in New Zealand.
Top things to do in Great Barrier Island
Kaitoke Hot Springs
Kaitoke Hot Springs in the center of the island are natural rock pools of geothermal water surrounded by umbrella ferns — they’ve been left unadorned, with the exception of a nearby picnic table. The springs are a gentle 45-minute walk from the closest road, following an ancient shoreline and winding through kanuka forests where you may view spotless crakes and fernbirds.
Hirakimata (Mount Hobson)
Hirakimata (Mount Hobson) is the highest point on Great Barrier Island, and its peak offers sweeping views of Auckland and the Coromandel Peninsula. It is accessible via a three-hour hiking trail that passes otherworldly rock formations and leads through the famous Windy Canyon, which features sheer rock faces covered in lush vegetation.
Medlands Beach
As one of the island’s most popular beaches, Medlands Beach is a great spot for swimming, stargazing, and surfing thanks to its exposed beach break. The curves of the Sugarloaf headlands create an idyllic scene here with powdery sand, rolling grass-covered dunes, and cerulean waters.
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