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Great Barrier Island Accommodation |
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Our family group of parents and adult son living in Europe thoroughly enjoyed our first visit to GBI just before Christmas. We stayed at the Bungalow for 4 nights and can unreservedly recommend it. Not only is the location excellent, close to Claris and the airport and Kaitoke Beach, but the Bungalow is very well furnished and extremely comfortable. The lack of electricity was something of a shock but we managed well with the solar energy and gas provided for cooking and hot water. The Bungalow looks up to Mt Hobson and has a great shaded deck with a good barbeque. Everybody that we dealt with could not have been more helpful. We were very impressed with the standard of the tracks and the roads were better than expected - our rather ancient rental car (part of our package) managed well. Food supplies can be a minor challenge necessitating some adjustments to usual expectations but that is all part of the fun. The availability of wine was generally quite good and not overly expensive. Congratulations to the young pilots who deal regularly with changeable weather, we were only delayed for two hours on Christmas Eve by clouds and rain. GBI is a jewel - one hesitates to over enthuse as a major attraction of the place is its laid back unspoilt style which hopefully can be retained. Would we visit again? YES! Mary and family, December 2015
We loved staying at the Bungalow - exceeded expectations. Hope to stay again. Deborah, October 2015
“Have just a very memorable four
day holiday at this very well appointed bungalow at the
Barrier. Booked the bungalow and the rental car through the
website. Arrival arrangements very speedy. And Kaitoke was a
perfect spot with beach very handy – best swimming was at the
south end. Leonie the owner checked twice that all was fine for
the four of us. Did not bother to check in with DOC as weather
for walking was perfect and could not imagine there will still
track problems from the June 2014 storm but the
Kaiaraara Track to the Hirakimata summit was still closed, so
had a bit more of a walk from Palmers Track to Port Fitzroy via
the South Fork (NB: - check with DOC!). John and Heather,
February 2015
We enjoyed our 'girls long weekend' tucked away at the Barrier
Bungalow. As first timers on the island, Kaitoke was central
enough that getting around the island to see everything was
easy. When we first arrived at the Bungalow we were drawn to the
ocean and wound our way through the gorgeous sand dunes and
walked right across the white sand beach. Coming from Northland
we have no shortage of beautiful beaches but this was something
different. It was lovely going to sleep with the sound of the
waves breaking on the sand. Nice bedrooms and absolutely
stunning skyline stretching the entire view from the lounge and
living area. Judkins Oct 2014 We enjoyed our stay in the bungalow very much, thank you. It exceeded my expectations. The highlight of our visit was a walk to the summit through the very impressive Windy Canyon.
Ann Sept 2014
Service - Meet & great at the
airport to collect rental car with directions to accommodation.
Owner did call in to introduce herself. All very easy & layback
with no fuss whatsoever. Steve and Dee, Australia. Feb 2014
We had a week at this amazing place - just a short walk from the great beach where you are more or less alone as there are very few people living around this beach - also near shops and with many other plato see and visit on the island this was an ideal base - we loved it. Frank and Stephne from Auckland. Dec 2013
We loved the island , so beautiful, we drove every road and saw
lots. As we were unable to do any of the long walks it was
great to just pack a picnic lunch each day and go off
exploring. We did do one walk, over the rocks to see the SS
Wairarapa grave-site. On the way back a gust of wind came and
knocked me off balance and I crashed into the rocks. Cut elbow
and hip and grazed hands and knee but fortunately no broken
bones. The medical centre were wonderful and patched me up and
then saw me again in two days time. I still managed to enjoy
our holiday and didn't let it stop me from doing most
things. The cottage was great and so comfortable and handy to
everything. We really enjoyed our stay. The flight over was
great, a beautiful day so saw all the islands and got lots of
photos. I took over 500 photos of our holiday so am looking
forward to getting them into an album and holidaying all over
again. We did about 3400 kms in all, quite a feat for three
oldies. Many thanks for all your help from start to finish, it
was most appreciated. A very reasonable package to a delightful
island.
Barrier Bungalow was a great spot for my daughter and I, a beautiful beach just over the sand dunes, awesome mountain views from a sheltered back deck and a stroll to burger shack for fish and chips. It had all the amenities for comfortable living and a good stack of books, magazines and TV for those poor weather days. The car was there waiting for us and we wouldn't have done without it! Oonagh, January 2012
We found the
Barrier Bungalow to be in a perfect location for access to
Claris shops and airport with the beautiful Kaitoke beach only
three minutes’ walk away. Carol & Richard, January 2012
We had one of our most enjoyable holidays, despite the westerlies. The hot pools were a highlight. We did lots of short walks with the kids. Long beautiful beaches with no one around. Spent some time at Claris Texas and the Irish pub in Tryphena. The bach was very good for our purposes. Clean and simple with a nice fire. We hope to make it back soon in a warmer part of the year. I would like to get out and try some fishing. Sarah particularly wants me to thank you for your organisation. We found it quite funny that we had been trying to book a holiday in the Pacific Islands without any satisfactory help from travel agents. Then, when we enquired about the bach, everything for our GBI trip was unexpectedly organised with no fuss at all. Simon & Sarah, September 2011
We had a very
enjoyable stay . Great Barrier was stunning, and the house was
very warm and comfortable. The local plumber and his wife were
extremely generous and kind-- our rental car broke down, so they
loaned us their car for the night, without even knowing who we
were. I couldn't imagine that happening anywhere else. We
did have a problem getting the fire going but the woman who came
to help was very helpful and pleasant.
Paul & Pip, July
2011
We absolutely loved the Barrier 100%. There wasn’t a road that we didn't travel down, we explored the whole island as much as we could, walked tracks, surf-casted off the beaches/rocks, swam, soaked in the hot springs, awesome holiday and would definitely return. DOC has done an excellent job with the tracks and facilities all around the island, we were more than impressed. The scenery is absolutely stunning and the bird life and the native bush is so much better than on the mainland, so unspoiled. The locals that we met were extremely friendly and the Barrier Bungalow that we stayed in was perfect and in the best location (for us anyway) on the island. Kaitoke beach was soooooo lovely, the isolation of not hardly having anyone else on the beach was very special. I hope that it never changes, the island is a real treasure. Robyn & Dave Jan 2010
An amazing 2 days on the island. Everything was great and very well organized. Trying to talk a few friends into doing the same thing. Great flights with great pilots. Wished we’d had a few more days to do a bit of tramping but maybe next time. Thanks again for a wonderful couple of days. Marilyn and Jim, Aug 09
"The bungalow was in the perfect location
enabling us to do everything we wanted to on the island. The facilities
were modern, clean and tidy - we definitely hope to book the bungalow again
in the future."
Simone, May 09
"We have had a
wonderful time on the Barrier. The bungalow was absolutely suitable for us
(parents + grandparents + 1 child). Lovely location so close to the airport,
general store and the beach and both beach and bungalow are very safe for my
little boy to run & play around. The bungalow is very well equipped with all you
need for running a household. Fire place works really efficiently (Saturday
evening was a bit chilli). In summary, this 4-day holiday package was very
well organised and excellent value for money. We will highly recommend this
place".
"A
great location which is within walking distance to shops. Superb backyard for
cricket and other activities and a sunny deck which is very private. A short
walk through the dunes to the water at Kaitoke Beach. Excellent facilities for
the family. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay and will be back". |
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