Awana is a popular swimming and surfing beach on the east coast of Great Barrier Island. It is an important nesting ground for the endangered Brown Teal and Dotterel. A Department Of Conservation camp ground is situated at the northern end of Awana Bay. www.awana.co.nz
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Dolphins are very special and frequent visitors to Great Barrier Island. The Colville Channel, which separates the island from the Coromandel Peninsula, is a migratory route for many sea going mammals and whale sightings are also common. Photos taken in Tryphena Bay.
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Kaitoke Beach is a long sandy bay stretching from the Sugar Loaf headlands at the southern end to the Kaitoke Stream & Swamp in the north. The Kaitoke Hot Springs are a popular attraction and are accessible by walking track across the Kaitoke Stream (approx 30 mins).
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Harataonga Bay on the east coast is one of the most spectacular locations on Great Barrier Island and an ideal spot for camping. Well maintained campgrounds & amenities are provided by The Department of Conservation. The BBC chose Harataonga Bay as the location for the Castaway series.
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Katherine Bay has two Māori marae (meeting house) at Kawa and Motairehe. The Marae are surrounded by the last remaining lands of the Ngati Rehua tribe on Aotea Great Barrier Island. It was the Ngati Rehua people that assisted with the rescue of survivors and recovery of bodies when the SS Wairarapa ran aground just north of the settlement at Miners Head on October 29, 1894. There is a grave site at Onepoto in Kawa which marks the final resting place for some of those drowned in what is New Zealands worst maritime disaster.
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Medlands Beach is the closest surf beach to Tryphena. It is separated from Kaitoke Beach by the Sugar Loaf headlands at the northern end. At the southern end there is a Department Of Conservation campsite (Oruawharo Creek Recreation Reserve) and vehicle access to the beach for boat launching.
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Another popular east coast surf beach just north of Kaitoke.
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Port Fitzroy has long been a favourite destination for yachties as it offers shelter in almost all weather conditions. Kaikoura Island, a nature reserve, guards the entrance to both Port Fitzroy and Port Abercrombie. Aquaculture is prevalent in these sheltered waters and the popular "Mussellfest" is a yearly event.
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The west coast of Great Barrier Island is witness to some spectacular sunsets. Here are some sunset shots taken from Tryphena which faces to the south west.
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Tryphena Bay takes its name from the brig "Tryphena" which made several visits to Great Barrier Island between 1841 & 1845. Before this it was known by the early European settlers as Port Tofino. In earlier times it was the site of a Māori pa (fortified village). Tryphena is one of the main population areas on the island with safe swimming beaches, great fishing and some spectacular sunsets.
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Whangapoua is on the east coast of Great Barrier Island. It is a popular surf spot and also an important conservation area. At the head of the Whangapoua Estuary is the settlement of Okiwi which has a small airfield, from the beach Rakitu Island is clearly visible. A Department Of Conservation campsite is located on the edge of the estuary. A gravesite at Tapuwai Point marks the final resting place for some of those drowned when the SS Wairarapa ran aground at Miners Head on October 24 1894, New Zealands worst maritime disaster.
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Windy Canyon is a volcanic rock formation located in the centre east of the island that offers spectacular views of Okiwi to the north & Awana to the south. The canyon is less than 200 m below the summit of Mount Hobson (Māori: Hirakimata)the highest point of the island at 621m above sea level. Palmers Track winds through the canyon and then on to Mt Hobson.
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