By Plane -- Great Barrier Airlines (tel. 0800/900-600 in NZ, or 09/275-9120; www.greatbarrierairlines.co.nz) runs daily flights to the island from Auckland International Airport and North Shore Aerodrome. You can only take 15kg (33 lbs.) of baggage, and flights cost NZ$99 to NZ$125 one-way. Fly My Sky, Domestic Terminal, Auckland International Airport (tel. 0800/222-123 in NZ, or 09/256-7026; www.flymysky.co.nz), also offers daily flights to the island. Most flights land at Claris Airfield in the center of the island; some land at Okiwi Airfield, 8km (5 miles) from Port Fitzroy. The 35-minute trip costs NZ$99 to NZ$120 one-way.
By Ferry -- Ferries land at Tryphena, at the southern end of the island. SeaLink, 45 Jellicoe St., Auckland Viaduct (tel. 0800/732-546 in NZ, or 09/300-5900; www.sealink.co.nz), runs 4 1/2- to 5-hour trips to the island daily in summer and 3 days a week in winter (timetables vary). The Eco Islander has two theaters with plasma screens showing movies and documentaries, a cafe, and a reading room on board. The long trip can be grueling when the sea is rough. Round-trip fares are NZ$127 adults, NZ$102 seniors and students, NZ$85 children ages 5 to 15, and NZ$370 for a car. I think it's far better to pay a bit more for the short flight. And don't worry about taking a car - it's easy to pick up a cheap rental at the Claris Airfield. Fullers Ferry (tel. 09/367-9111; www.fullers.co.nz) is a much faster (2 1/2-hr.) trip, but its timetable service operates only in high season (roughly, Dec-Jan).
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
