GREAT Barrier Island lies 90km north-east of Auckland, a 4½ hour ferry ride from the CBD or a 30-minute flight away. We arrive by ferry in horrendously, churning seas. Its return is cancelled. So are flights the following day when a storm hits overnight and morning is howled in by the wind. Our shuttle to the 25km Aotea Track is a no go with slips on the road. We postpone to the following day which dawns grey.
Stopping en route to drop non-tramping gear at Wiltshire Manor, Claris, our post-hike accommodation, we arrive at The Green Campsite track end on Whangaparapara Road. Ten minutes flat walking brings us to a boot cleaning station, installed to help prevent the spread of kauri dieback. The Green Campsite, bookable in advance with 15 campsites, lies a few minutes on at Whangaparapara Harbour’s edge.
On the up
The two-hour return Old Mill Track starts nearby, leading up over two steep hills to a bay where The Kauri Timber Company sawmill operated from 1909-14. Its foundation pilings are evident in the mangroves and there’s a steam traction engine and cast
