Welcome Aboard... The West Coast Sightseeing Tour with Lunch

"We're Ship-shape 'n Barrier Fashion and ready for another busy summer season of sightseeing tours" says Chris Ollivier, skipper and owner of Sundancer. Recently returned from survey, and typically issued with another new clean bill of health, Sundancer is Great Barrier Islands' only dedicated coastal sightseeing cruiser.

"We're licenced to carry up to 20 passengers" says Chris. "We're just as happy to take smaller groups... in fact our 'West Coast Tour with Lunch' is our most popular option for families and couples to experience a really beautiful part of the Barrier from a whole new perspective." Popular it is... each year more and more visitors to the island are discovering how great it is to be able to get out there on the water with Sundancer Sightseeing Tours. You're in safe hands with Chris too... He's clocked up 40 years of life on the sea and has held a New Zealand Coastal Masters qualification for 30 years. With stints at skippering both the 'Spirit of New Zealand' and the 'Spirit of Adventure' Chris is probably over qualified for his current position but you'll find it hard to imagine him being happier doing anything else.

"We try and depart Whangaparapara Wharf by 10.00am" says Chris. "We explore the harbour first... it's a very historic part of the island so we check out the old Kauri saw-mill site and the remains of New Zealand's last whaling station before we head up the coast. We cruise through the beautiful Broken Isles and into the Man O War passage, the amazing entrance to Port Fitzroy Harbour. We'll find a nice sheltered bay where our guests can relax in the sun or have a swim while we prepare the on-board BBQ lunch." "We aim to get back to Whangaparapara by around 1.30pm to 2.00pm. This allows them time to pop up to Great Barrier Lodge for an ice-cream or a cold drink before heading off to enjoy the rest of their day. There's plenty of other things to do in Whangaparapara too... visitors can hire kayaks, mountain bikes and Shiny Paua Stand-up Paddle Boards are just up the road."

What it costs: Adults $165 - Child $82 (Minimum 2 adults, Maximum 10 persons)
What to bring: Swimming suits, towels, sunscreen, jacket etc

One Island, two mates, two bikes & three days...

Sebastian Solberg and Johnny Prigg have been mates for a long time now.
In fact they grew up living just around the corner from each other in Auckland.
"I think I can say that we were privileged in regard to where we grew up, and with the group of friends our parents had. All the parents from about 8 families would organise a trip to Motutapu Island each year where we would do an abundance of activities like kayaking, high ropes and rock climbing" says Johnny.

These days Seb is a 25 year old film-maker and commercials director. "I've been living in London for the last 5 years" he says. "My latest short film 'Modern Man' has screened in almost 100 cities around the world which is pretty cool. It's also won a number of awards including Best Comedy Short."

"I also recently got back from Mongolia, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan where I was shooting part of a feature documentary that premiered at the Sundance Film Festival at the start of this year!"
Over the last 5 years 24 year old Johnny has been living in Australia and Canada and although his last occupation was in construction, you'd typically find him involved with the hospitality industry.

So what made these globe trotting adventurers decide to conquer the Barrier in 3 days - on 2 wheels?
"I first discovered the Barrier at the start of the year when I was visiting friends who have an island just off the coast. It's called Motuhaku Island and they're doing some incredible work there re-vegetating and repopulating the island with bird life. I instantly fell in love with Great Barrier and was determined to do a biking trip around the island as I'd heard there were some great biking trails!" says Seb.

"Seb and myself were already big fans of the Barrier" adds Johnny. "He got in contact with me about cycling the island and I couldn't think of a better way to see and cover it. Research wise, we found the road and trail doc map, booked our campsite and ferry tickets and that was pretty much all we needed to get started. I did look up the distance from Tryphena to Fitzroy and may have been under the impression that if it came down to it we could cycle the whole island in a day. I was soon to find out that the terrain of the Barrier could be an obstacle to our plan at times".

Most enduring memory?

"I would have to say it's the beauty of the island and how untouched it all is!" says Seb. "Great Barrier is one very special place! It has so much to offer. It's an adventurers dream!"
"For me" says Johnny "It was the first day after cycling to the top of Rosalie Bay road and getting on the first trail... riding down hill felt so rewarding after the hard cycle up the gravel road. The track was super decent! I was almost tempted on the last day to go back up Rosalie Bay road for another ride down the track. It was also a real eye opener and gave us an idea on what to expect over the next couple of days."

Lights, camera, action!

Take a look at some of the beautiful scenery and amazing terrain that Sebastian and Johnny encountered during their incredible journey.
Warning: The footage shown in this video could lead to uncontrollable desires to get on your bike!

Meeting the locals...

Both boys thoroughly enjoyed meeting the Barrier community. "Yes we met lots of lovely locals" Seb recalls. "They were all so friendly and had a lot of time to chat. They're extremely passionate about their home and I can see why!"
Johnny was equally impressed. "Oh yeah, still can't get over how nice and friendly everyone was to talk to. Great Barrier and the locals that live there give off a real kiwi vibe. If I was to tell someone visiting NZ for the first time where to go first... Great Barrier Island would be my advice. They'd be in for a very special treat!"

Hearing the call...

A lot of visitors to Great Barrier Island find it hard to find the words to describe what's so great about it... It's almost like there's a subliminal personal interaction that occurs.
"Definitely!" says Sebastian. "You have to be there to feel it, there's a magic about the place that I can't describe. But it's definitely captured my heart and it's a place I'll be visiting again soon!"
Actually - that was my next question!
"Do we get to see you again... maybe to circumnavigate the island by kayak?
Johnny is up for it. "For sure! I'll be back. Are you keen for a kayak Seb?" he asks.
"You know what! I love that idea. When we come back from our travels overseas we must do it!"

The ‘village’ is a work of art in it’s own right. The three main buildings are signicant historical structures. Art is exhibited in the Mabey Gallery which was the old Mabey family homestead. It was built in 1908 in the north of the island at Whangapoua Beach.

The Wiltshire House was built by the Gray family. The wreck of the Wiltshire Steamer near Rosalie Bay in 1922 provided some invaluable timber & materials used to finish the construction of their home on the edge of the Kaitoke wetlands. Work is nearing completion on transforming this lovely old homestead into the Village Museum.
The oldest building is the Tryphena School Master’s House, built in 1897. It was the original Aotea Gallery but these days it’s used for holding workshops, meetings and performances.
There’s always something happening at the village. Group exhibitions, winter workshops, kids art classes and special events ensure that their calendar is full of dates to remember.

“As a child I had many holidays on Great Barrier Island. We always stayed at Whangapoua in my grandmothers house - which is now the Mabey Gallery. I never imagined that in the future I’d be going to work each day in the very house I used to play in with my cousins, the Mabey boys.”
We asked her what she enjoys most about her role at the gallery. “The Arts Village is a real social hub and I’ve met some amazing people... the trustees, volunteers, artists and of course the visitors. It’s a challenging position, but it’s also very rewarding.” She was quick to point out that although she’s been coming to Great Barrier Island for most of her life, her experiences were mainly limited to north of the Okiwi airfield. "Working for the trust has enabled me to get acquainted with a much wider section of the community."

Nell is an artist herself and works with a real mix of materials.  "I use recycled fabric to make egg cosies, tea cosies, bags and  hot water bottle covers. I also create mosaic chickens, pottery carrier pigeons, fused glass jewellery, woven baskets and more."
She’s very enthusiastic about her involvement with the village. “Its a really amazing project to have on the island,  I love being part of it, and seeing it grow. There’s  so much potential and some great plans in the pipeline. I'd like to see more people on the island involved, not just artists, but other community members who are interested in the museum/ heritage side, or want to help develop the grounds, or do art with kids.”

Humble Beginnings...

Great Barrier Islands' amazing little radio station, Aotea FM, has come a very long way since it's extremely humble beginnings some 10 years ago.
The Aotea Community Radio Trust had their very first meeting in November 2004. The minutes from that meeting make for some interesting reading. Plans were put in place to buy equipment and to set up a studio. Ideas about fundraising and the purchasing of broadcasting and frequency licences were discussed. Although enthusiasm was high, it was apparent that actual hands on experience and practical know-how was limited to a single trust member who had recently been successful in broadcasting a low powered local station from his home.

Have a listen. Click here... http://cp6.serverse.com:2199/start/oemwavgm/
Check out the Facebook page. Click here... https://www.facebook.com/aoteafm
Ring the station. 09 4290 945

This years 'Great Barrier Island Garden Tour' is poised to be as spectacular as ever and with tickets selling steadily, organisers anticipate the 150 guest 'sold out' capacity likely to be achieved.

Now in it's 7th year, the 'Spectacular By Nature Garden Tour' is the Great Barrier Island Community Health Trusts major fund raiser event and it provides an opportunity for local residents and businesses to 'give back' by way of donating their time & resources to what they see as an essential and integral part of their community.

So - how did this iconic Barrier event come about?  Why is it so popular?
Trust member and rural nurse specialist, Leonie Howie came up with the initial idea and together with Tryphena resident & fund raising/marketing whizz Gerry Downie, the vision grew - and grew!  "It's just a winning formula really" says Leonie. "It's special... The whole community gets behind it and I've come to realise over the years that although visiting beautiful and interesting gardens is the main draw-card, 'meeting the locals' and 'feeling part of a community effort' is a huge part of the overall enjoyment experienced by the participants".
And enjoy it they do...

With a variety of unique tour options available, many guests book for the following years event while they're still on the island!

"The funds raised are always used to obtain special equipment for the Health Trust" Leonie tells me... "Over the years we've been able to purchase things like emergency trolleys, special defibrillators and monitors".
We've certainly come a long way. I remember the days when Dr Howie, now in his 32nd year of island practice, would consult his patients in the back of an old campervan parked on the lawn of his Kaitoke property. But that's another story.

What: The Great Barrier Island Garden Tour
When: 29th November 2014
Bookings and Info: Here