Vol. 28 No. 4 May 2010 - The Travel Society

TheRugged GreatBarrier Island,New ZealandPah Beach, New Zealandstory and photos by Maria WuOn my fourth visit to New Zealand late last year, Itried to visit places that I had not yet seen. Oneof these was the Great Barrier Island, which is onthe outer edge of Hauraki Gulf, lying approximately 100km from downtown Auckland. The island is a world ofwild natural beauty where Mother Nature is largelyundisturbed. Most of the island is publicly owned. It hasjust over 800 residents and a number of small settlementswith shops and accommodations. There are no supermarkets,no banks, no ATMs and no public electricity,water supply or main drainage. It is wild, untamed and avery special place with its own rules … a definite breathof fresh air.Trypena is the main settlement, 4 km from the ferrywharf at Shoal Bay. I stayed at Pohutuhawa Lodge at PahBeach - the perfect setting for my daily swims. TheLodge was built around an old Kauri villa circa 1700 andthe house has had a long history of trading. Originallyhoney was processed and sold here. It has since gonethrough various stages of trading until the StonewallStore was built next door. Today the main house is thereception area for the Lodge and the Currach Irish Pub,which is the centre for locals and tourists to meet.The day after my arrival was the island's annualMussel Fest, held at Port Fitzroy. The owner of the lodgewas required to transport the musicians who played at theIrish Pub to the festival, so I hitched a ride it the back ofthe van, sitting on the floor. It was a ride of less than 30km, but seemed a long and bumpy journey with nothingto see. But it was worthwhile. At Port Fitzroy, I foundMay 2010 9