Everything you need to know before you arrive.
Two ways: fly or take the ferry.
Flying takes about 30 minutes from Auckland and is the quickest option — Barrier Air operates from Auckland Domestic Terminal (the regional end) and from the North Shore Aerodrome. Sunair also connects from Tauranga, Hamilton, Whangārei, and Whitianga. The flight approach over the Hauraki Gulf is spectacular.
The ferry (SeaLink) departs from Wynyard Quarter in central Auckland. Frequency varies by season — near-daily sailings in summer, a few times a week in winter. The crossing to Tryphena Harbour takes around four and a half hours — beautiful on a good day, memorable in other ways on a rough one. Once a week the ferry also calls into Fitzroy Harbour and returns from there (usually on a weekday — check the SeaLink schedule for current days). Critically, the ferry is the only way to bring your vehicle.
It depends on your trip. As a rough guide:
At 175° East, we're about 15 minutes from Claris Airport and 25 minutes from Tryphena Wharf. We're happy to point you toward car hire and taxi contacts when you book.
Book at sealink.co.nz. You can book passenger tickets and vehicle spaces separately. Book passenger tickets as close to the date as you like in most seasons — but read the next question carefully if you're visiting in December or January.
Yes — and this is the single most important planning tip for summer visitors. If you want to bring your vehicle, book your car space on the ferry as early as possible. This isn't a suggestion; vehicle spaces genuinely sell out weeks in advance over the Christmas and New Year period. People book their December car space in October. Sometimes earlier.
Passenger tickets are easier to come by, but vehicle spaces on the ferry are fixed and peak season fills them fast. And don't forget to lock in your return crossing too.
From Claris Airport: Turn left out of the terminal, head south. Over the bridge, up the hill (you'll get your first view of Medlands from the top), down the hill, along the causeway, and turn right at the Mason Road sign.
From Tryphena Wharf: Head north through Tryphena, past Mulberry Grove and Gooseberry Flat, past the Stonewall Store and Pah Café. Cross the concrete bridge, turn right at the hall with the mosaic wall. Over the hill to Medlands — first left past the little church. That's Mason Road.
💡 Both routes have mobile coverage gaps. Download offline maps before you leave Auckland, or just trust the directions — the island is small and locals are helpful if you get turned around.
Our honest answer: it depends.
💡 Car hire on the island is limited — book ahead if you need it. We can point you to the contacts when you make your reservation.
Great Barrier Island has no mains power — not just our properties, but the entire island. Every home and business on Aotea generates its own electricity through solar, wind, hydro, or generator. 175° East runs on a solar array with lithium-ion battery storage that powers all four houses, multiple fridges and freezers, and everything else guests expect: Nespresso machines, toasters, kettles, the lot. We're 99% solar. The 1% is a backup generator for extended grey weather — guests rarely notice it kicking in.
Honestly? No. The power is on, the hot water is hot, the appliances work. Off-grid at 175° East doesn't mean roughing it — it means independence. The difference is where the electricity comes from: the sun above you, not a coal-fired plant somewhere in the North Island.
Where you will notice the difference is in the sky at night, the silence in the morning, and the absence of traffic lights, power poles, and street lighting. That's entirely the point.
All water on Great Barrier Island is rainwater, collected from roofs and stored in tanks. The island has no town water supply. The water at 175° East is clean, fresh, and tastes significantly better than anything coming out of an Auckland tap. We ask guests to be mindful during dry spells — not because there's a shortage, but because conservation is part of how the island works.
The properties are warmed by firewood — sustainably harvested from kānuka and mānuka grown on the property. These species regenerate faster than we use them. The wood warming you on a cold night grew right here on this land.
Yes, all three properties have WiFi. Coverage is solid for streaming, video calls, and remote work. Mobile coverage varies across the island — some spots have good 4G, others have gaps. The main Medlands Beach area has reasonable coverage with Spark and One NZ, but don't count on uninterrupted mobile data everywhere you go. Download what you need before you arrive.
Standard appliances are all fine — hair dryers, curling irons, laptops, phones. The solar system comfortably handles normal household demand. EV charging isn't currently available on the property. If you're driving an EV to the island, note that charging options on Great Barrier are very limited — check in advance.
The battery storage carries the properties through overcast periods without any interruption. If we hit a genuinely extended grey stretch — which is rare — the backup generator kicks in automatically. Guests don't notice. We notice it on the power dashboard. That's by design.
175° East has three houses at Medlands Beach, each distinct:
Check the individual property pages for full details, photos, and current availability.
Great Barrier Island is both a Dark Sky Sanctuary and New Zealand's first certified Island Sanctuary — it's pest-free, which means extraordinary native birdlife and a thriving ecosystem. For this reason, we do not allow pets at 175° East. The kākā, tūī, and kererū that call this place home have enough competition without adding domestic animals to the mix.
Yes. All linen, towels, and basic kitchen supplies are provided. We want you to pack light and arrive ready to enjoy the island — not to load the car with bedding. Check the booking confirmation for the full list of what's included at each property.
The minimum stay is two nights. In peak summer (December–January), longer minimums may apply for some properties. Check availability on the booking page or get in touch directly.
Yes — and it's one of the most genuinely jaw-dropping things about staying here. Great Barrier Island is an International Dark Sky Sanctuary, one of only a handful designated worldwide. There are no street lights, no light pollution from industry, and the island sits far enough from Auckland's glow that on a clear night, the sky is extraordinary. The Milky Way is visible to the naked eye from virtually anywhere on the island, including right outside the properties.
It's a designation awarded by the International Dark-Sky Association to areas with exceptional nighttime environments. Great Barrier Island was the world's first to receive this certification, recognising both the quality of its skies and the community's commitment to preserving them. There are no street lights on the island — by design and by character. Step outside after 9pm and look up. It doesn't need further explanation.
Great Barrier Island is also New Zealand's first certified Island Sanctuary — meaning it's completely free of the introduced predators that have devastated native wildlife elsewhere in the country. No possums. No stoats. No hedgehogs. The result is bird life that many New Zealanders have never experienced. Kākā (native parrots) are loud, curious, and genuinely cheeky. Tūī and kererū are regular visitors. At night, you'll hear the morepork (ruru) calling from the bush — the property Ruru is named for exactly this reason.
The sea around the island is rich too. Dolphins, gannets, and occasionally whales are sighted on the ferry crossing. The bush tracks behind Medlands lead into genuine wilderness used by conservation researchers.
Great Barrier has an excellent network of Department of Conservation tracks ranging from an easy stroll to a full-day tramp. Close to 175° East: the walk up to the ridge above Medlands gives panoramic views in under an hour. Further afield, the Hirakimata (Mount Hobson) track climbs to 621 metres and 360-degree views — one of the best day walks in the Hauraki Gulf. The Windy Canyon track is dramatic and accessible. Ask us for current track conditions when you arrive.
Great Barrier Island has natural geothermal hot springs accessible via walking tracks from Claris. The pools are on DOC land and are free to use — bring a towel and be prepared for a walk in. Water temperature and pool condition can vary; check with the DOC visitor information at Claris for current access and conditions before you go.
The island has two main stores: the Stone Store in Tryphena (well stocked, better than you'd expect, and worth visiting for the community notice board alone) and the Claris Store. Both carry good basics. That said, if you have specific food preferences, good wine, or anything unusual — bring it from Auckland. Prices on the island reflect the cost of getting goods there, which is entirely fair. The vehicle ferry is effectively a moving pantry: load up the car before you board.
💡 The island has four petrol stations: at Mulberry Grove, Claris, Whangaparapara Harbour Wharf, and Fitzroy Wharf. There is no petrol station at Tryphena Wharf itself — fill up before you leave Auckland or stop at Mulberry Grove on your way through.
Book directly at 175east.nz for the best rates, or through Airbnb, VRBO, Booking.com, or Holiday Houses. Payment methods depend on the booking platform. Booking direct is always our preference — it saves the OTA commission, and we can have a proper conversation about your trip.
Cancellation terms vary by platform and season. The full policy is displayed at the time of booking and included in your confirmation. If you need to change plans, get in touch as early as possible — we'll always work with you where we can.
Great Barrier Island is a beach and bush destination, not a resort. Pack for that:
💡 Linen, towels, and kitchen basics are all provided. You don't need to bring bedding.
Very much so. Medlands Beach is a long, open surf beach — great for older kids and teens, and with calmer sections for younger ones (the estuary at the southern end is ideal for little ones). The absence of roads, traffic, fast food, and general urban chaos makes it an unusual and genuinely memorable place for families. The wildlife, the darkness, the stars — it all lands differently for children who've grown up in the city.
Please do. We're happy to help point you to car hire contacts, share track conditions, and answer anything this page hasn't covered. Get in touch via the contact page — and we'll make sure you arrive knowing exactly what to expect.
Still have a question? Get in touch — we'll get back to you quickly.