Welcome to the Aotea Great Barrier Island Garden Tour Adventure
In 2025, the Totara, Kauri, Rewa and Nikau Garden Tours will be on Saturday 29th of November.
Bookings will open on 1st May 2025 for earlybirds.
This is a unique opportunity to view a variety of residential gardens on the Island. The guided tours will enable you to visit charming cottage gardens, to see spectacular coastal panoramas and experience the hidden native flora and birdlife. The ticket includes tour transportation, a scrumptious Morning Tea and a charming Devonshire Afternoon Tea.
The Garden Tour is a major fundraiser for the Great Barrier Island Community Health Trust, enabling it to purchase equipment for use on the Island. The event involves many 100's of hours of community volunteer time and energy and the participant feedback has been outstanding. It has become a very popular event, national and international celebrities who have participated in the past tours, quote that it is 'a must-do event' for every keen adventurous gardener.
Our Guest Speaker in 2024 Jules Moore comments:
It was supposed to be a chance to share my experience as a gardener, landscaper and horticulturist for over 4 decades. Culminating in achieving a gold medal at the Singapore International Garden show in 2024.Instead, I was introduced to the resilience of your community, the mana of respect your community has for its bountiful nature. You harness the natural resources around you to enrich your physical and mental health. You really garden from the heart. Each garden encapsulated the soul of the gardener.
I came away with such an appreciation for the ethos you all work within. Each person I spoke to had a personal story to tell and the garden was at the heart of it. Gardening is good for the soul and your community is made up of so many beautiful souls that on reflection I came away wishing I was a part of your community.
We will certainly be back next year.
Garden Tour Adventures
Each tour is crafted so you will experience a range of gardens, facets of lifestyle on remote Aotea Great Barrier, and realise how the gardeners interact with nature and the maritime climate.
The Tours are graded into different levels of fitness and capability to ensure your overall enjoyment. We welcome back those of you who have participated in previous tours and know you will be delighted with a new tour choice. The Health Trust has a database of which tours you have been on in the past. Please contact Robyn by email.
On Saturday, 29th of November 2025 the tour options will be:
Totara Tour
For the really adventurous and fit only, requires the ability to clamber into and out of boats, or up and down steep stairs. Not a garden tour in the traditional sense but includes residences and bush in the western and southern end of the island. Strong walking shoes are advised (trail shoes and walking poles optional).
Cost: $115 per person
Kauri Tour
Northern Aotea Great Barrier, reserved as a special treat for returning Garden Tour participants. Again for the really adventurous and fit only.
Cost: $115 per person
Rewa Tour
Moderate fitness level, requires the ability to walk up hills/multiple stairs with ease. The six creative gardens are awe inspiring and showcase Aotea's wonderful scenery and the fortitude required to garden on an isolated island.
Cost: $95 per person
Nikau Tour
Good basic fitness, requires walking some distances but on relatively flat terrain. Six wonderful gardens ranging from those with extensive vistas to tranquil quiet spaces. Geographically involves central and southern Aotea Great Barrier.
Cost: $95 per person
Lunches
You are invited to bring your own lunch if you prefer. Refreshments will be available.
But for those of you who wish to – you can order one of our famous 'Paper Bag Lunches' for $15.00. It consists of a salad sandwich, a large delicious home baked slice, and a piece of fruit. Your pre-ordered paid lunch can be collected when you register on the morning of the Tours.
Locally made products
Aotea Great Barrier Island is renowned for its small cottage artisans. At some of the gardens there will be items for sale. Should you wish to purchase, we recommend that you bring cash to do so.
More Information
To get the most out of the Tours you will need a good level of fitness. Unfortunately those with moderate health disabilities will find the tours too strenuous.
It is recommended that you bring sturdy walking shoes as access to some of the properties is on uneven terrain.
If wet it is suggested that you bring waterproof footwear and a raincoat.
If hot remember sunscreen, a hat, or an umbrella.
Please be at the GBI Sports & Social Club at 19 Whangaparapara Road for registration well before closure at 9:00am.
On the day we need you to bring your tickets with you; to confirm your booking, and to be in the lucky prize draws.
The Tours will return back to the GBI Sports & Social Club at around 4:30pm. We advise you not to make flight bookings dependant on this estimation.
If transport to the Island is cancelled due to the weather on Friday, the people affected will be refunded. If you are already on the Island, we will endeavour to continue with the tours but if the tours need to be cancelled you will be refunded.
Please note: tickets are at other times non-refundable – please contact Robyn by email for advice. If you are able to on-sell your ticket please also contact Robyn to update our records.
Please remember that while we will take all care to keep you safe and healthy, your participation in the Garden Tour is at your own risk.
If you have any queries, please contact Robyn by email.
Weekend Itinerary
But wait, there's more!
Friday Feast
We are excited to announce that on the Friday night to mark the opening of the Spectacular by Nature Garden Tour Adventure Weekend there will be a special scrumptious welcome dinner.
Would you like to join us? You will be able to listen to a wonderful speaker and enjoy fabulous food with a complimentary glass of bubbles!
Tickets must be pre-purchased when booking at $70pp. Unfortunately there are limited spaces available. All proceeds again go to the Great Barrier Island Community Health Trust Equipment Fund.
Dark Sky Experience
Did you know that Aotea Great Barrier is a Dark Sky Sanctuary? It is a fantastic place for star gazing. While you are on Aotea Great Barrier, perhaps take the opportunity to explore the stunning skies of our Dark Sky Sanctuary with the Good Heavens team. Deb and Hilde have discounted their Look Up and Get Lost Group Experience especially for Garden Tour participants and in addition, they will donate $20 of every tour booked to the Health Trust. You can expect a magical night-time journey of 1.5-2 hours.
You can book via their Moon Walk – Group Stargazing Experience page, using promocode GARDENTOUR25. This promocode can be used now and is valid for stargazing experiences from 28 November - 5 December 2025.
Saturday
The 'Spectacular by Nature' Garden Tour Adventure meets at the GBI Sports & Social Club in Claris before 9:00am.
For those without transport, a bus transfer service - Tryphena to and from the GBI Sports & Social Club - is available for $10pp each way. Please contact Sue by email or phone at (09) 4290 474 with details of your accommodation to arrange pick-up points.
Events on Great Barrier Island - Optional Extras
Rose Show
10am Sunday 30th November 82 Blackwell Drive, Tryphena
The annual Stonewall Village ROSE SHOW, on Sunday the 30th of November (10am Market Day, 11am Judging) in Tryphena, is lots of fun and a chance to share an island community event.
Finding Fanny Osbourne
2pm Sunday 30th November - December 14th 80 Hector Sanderson Road, Claris
A curated exhibition and museum installation opening on Sunday the 30th of November 2025 at the Aotea Arts and History Village.
Spectacular by Nature Art Exhibition
Friday 28th November - December 10th 80 Hector Sanderson Road, Claris
Experience the vibrant creativity of Aotea Great Barrier Island at the annual Spectacular by Nature Art Exhibition! From Friday 28th November to 10th December, explore stunning local art at 80 Hector Sanderson Road, Claris—home of the Aotea Arts and History Village. Don’t miss this celebration of island talent!
Transport
Getting to and from Great Barrier Island
Please book transportation very early to avoid disappointment.
Barrier Air
Sealink
Getting around Great Barrier Island
If you wish to hire a car for the weekend please click below.
Aotea Car Rentals
Accommodation
To assist with your accommodation needs.
Aotea - Great Barrier Island
Go Great Barrier Island
Bookings
Terms and Conditions
Please remember that one of the conditions of entry to these tours is that all ticket holders accept responsibility for their own health and safety. On Aotea Great Barrier Island there are multiple potential hazards that could detract from your visit. Take all care on sloping and uneven surfaces, including bricks, wooden steps and grass that can be slippery when wet.
We encourage all ticket holders to wear appropriate footwear and exercise caution at all times.
We will take all care to keep you safe and healthy, your participation in the Tours are at your own risk. The Great Barrier Island Community Health Trust cannot be held responsible.
All tickets are non-refundable please contact us to discuss options should you be unable to attend. But should the Tours need to be postponed by us you will receive a full refund.
If transport to the Island is cancelled due to weather on Friday, the people affected will be refunded. If you are already on the Island, we will endeavour to continue with the tours but if the tours need to be cancelled you will be refunded.
Privacy: We respect your privacy. 'Spectacular by Nature' Garden Tours do not distribute ticket holders contact information. We do however collect and retain personal information provided by you to process your bookings and for future marketing.Please note: as per Privacy Act 2020 you do have the right to request access to your information. Please feel free to contact us.
COVID -19 Guest Responsibility: Everyone will play a part to ensure any associated risks remain very low. We ask all our ticket holders to ensure they are fit to travel and free from COVID symptoms. Next that they follow all our requests and instructions to ensure the event remains as safe as possible for all to enjoy.
