We greet our guests on arrival, introducing them to the delights and responsibilities that come with staying in a place run 100% on alternative power. We also give our guests a few ideas on things to do on Great Barrier Island and provide them with really good tourist maps. When our guests return from exploring the island, we often ask how their day has been if they caught any waves or fish, and on their last day, we do like to say farewell and see ya again soon. We live on-site. We do not rent out the apartment when we are not here, as we need to monitor our alternative power and water systems.
Our closest neighbours live 500m away. The nearest shop is 20 minutes, 4WD or a 2 hr walk, the closest restaurant is a 15 minutes drive away. It's secluded!
Great Barrier Island is a special place. It is rugged, and a lot of the people who live here, are too. Some of the roads are rugged, too, which is why we recommend a 4WD vehicle. There is no reticulated power on the island. We make our own. Well, the sun does. Once the sun goes down, we have to manage the power stored in our batteries. This is why we do not use hair dryers, electric toasters, rice cookers and other electric heating equipment. Telephone chargers and laptops are fine. There are no street lights. Bring a torch if you plan to go out at night.
To get to Great Barrier Island, hop on a flight, FlyMySky, Great Barrier Airlines and Sunair offer services from Auckland to the Barrier. The other alternative is to do a ferry crossing from Auckland with Sealink or to combine the 2 in a fly-boat. Once on the island, we recommend you rent a 4WD vehicle from Aotea car rentals or any of the other car rental companies on the island. There also is a taxi service available. It's a long (but nice) walk to Tryphena (2 hrs).
The apartment is self-contained, has its own entrance, but is part of a comfortable eco-house, from where we will assist in looking after the solar & wind power and firewood systems of the house. The unheated swimming pool with a view is available for a splash in summer. There is no reticulated power or water. We try to use as little power as possible and ask you to do the same. Water is heated by the sun or by a wet-back heater. We will set the fire for you for the first night and you are welcome to help yourself to wood from the firewood shed after that.
The very remote location only shared with your hosts is perfect for a honeymoon! Astronomers & other stargazers looking for a place without light pollution but with a large deck from where the night sky can be viewed in its full glory are also very welcome.
Keep an eye out for diving dolphins, whales working schools of fish, graciously gliding gannets & cray fisherman checking their pots. You may occasionally have to check that your book is still in your lap & that your drink is still at hand, but you may completely forget about them, too.
Once you're totally relaxed, you could go & explore the island, or have a splash in the shared unheated swimming pool (with views!!) in summer.
Come and experience living off the grid. No reticulated services! :-)
Alternative energy only. Guests need to be willing to use power sparingly: no electric toasters, no rice cookers, no hair dryers. No more than one or two lights per person at night. Water is heated through our solar system, or, when there is no sun, through the Woodburner with wet-back in the apartment. Wood is provided, but guests will have to look after the fire themselves.
Water comes from a stream. Drinking water is available from a filtered tap.
No smoking, no pets, and due to its clifftop location, no toddlers.
