Staying on Aotea Great Barrier Island is a real escape from everyday life. It's such an "off the beaten track" spot that we have to split our group over two hosts. Both are located in the Tryphena area for guests to enjoy the tranquility of the nearby deserted beaches, relaxing rustic decor, outstanding food and harbour views.

What we love about Shoal Bay Estate & Sunset Waterfront Lodge - It feels like we're staying with old friends, Val and Francis host us for dinner in their home, Shoal Bay Estate.

About our Great Barrier Accommodation:
Visiting the island is different than travelling to other parts of New Zealand. There are simply no large hotels or even motels on the island, all the options here are small and locally run. For this reason we split our groups between Shoal Bay Estate and Sunset Waterfront Lodge. We all love the laid back and relaxed atmosphere, especially those of us who live in cities, but we can't expect every single amenity the city offers on "the island". 

The accommodation at Shoal Bay Estate does not have an exclusive ensuite bathroom and is the only exception in our entire tour programme of 27 itineraries.