New Zealand’s only National Marine Park is on the outer edge of the Hauraki Gulf and is 90 km (55.9 mi) from Auckland City. It is described as a world away from your typical holiday destination since 70 percent of its territory is a protected Conservation Park. Moreover, it is considered a Dark Sky Sanctuary, which means it has an exceptional or distinguished quality of starry nights and a nocturnal environment that is protected for its scientific, natural, or educational value, cultural heritage, and, more importantly, public enjoyment. Could this be your next destination away from all the nightlights in the city? If it is, then you must secure comfy accommodation for ensuring a memorable stay. There are plenty of Bookabach holiday homes and Airbnbs in the area. Continue reading to delve more into the top Airbnb vacation rentals on Great Barrier Island, New Zealand.
We handpicked these listings carefully, considering (wherever possible) Superhost status, recent guest reviews, location, accommodation type, prices, availability of dates, decor, and amenities. The image galleries get refreshed with the latest updates regularly. They were last updated on April 18, 2025.
1. Cozy Airbnb on a sprawling property near Medlands Beach (from USD 209)
This pet-friendly Airbnb on Great Barrier Island, New Zealand, is a short drive away from the airport and Medlands Beach. It is part of a sprawling property that spans 10 acres (4.05 hectares) of land and has its own private beach where guests can spend a great time by the water. The Airbnb can comfortably accommodate six guests and has comfy beds in three of its bedrooms for a full night’s rest. A fireplace keeps the indoors warm and snug on drizzly afternoons when you can curl up by the comforting embers and read a book.
Free car parking facilities are available on the premises for guests who are visiting in their own vehicles.
Top guest reviews
Host:
the caretaker lyndon has excellent local knowledge and tipspaul is a great host and the property is well located and has everything you needLocation:
the house and location are truely specialgreat house in gorgeous and very special locationgreat place to get away from it allamazing place right on the beachfront…a special house and location we hope to be back to enjoy it again one dayRead more reviewsAmenities & Room:
well-supplied kitchen and cozy patios for eating breakfast and dinner in the fresh airhomely old homestead very comfortable off grid but with everything you need including ample indoor and outdoor gamesthe fire warmed up the house nicely which made it cozylawn games board games a fully equipped kitchen comfortable beds a bath outdoor shower washing machine etcour stay was very comfortable
2. Motu Honey House (from USD 138)
This accommodation on Great Barrier Island, New Zealand, is set in the beautiful countryside of Ōkiwi Bay. Surrounded by lush greenery, hiking trails, and the Whangapoua Estuary, it is a great choice for enthusiastic hikers. The Airbnb is also near many beautiful spots such as Hirakimata-Mount Hobson and Port Fitzroy. Inside the rental, you will find modern amenities such as comfy bedding, a fireplace, heaters, a workspace, a smoke alarm, and a well-appointed kitchen for fixing meals.
Guests can spend a relaxing afternoon in the garden while watching livestock graze on the farm. Family picnics can be enjoyed by preparing yummy barbeques on the outdoor grill.
Top guest reviews
Host:
alan was a great host wouldn't hesitate to recommendthe best part of our stay was the great hospitality of our hostalan is a very friendly host and is happy to help show you the real aotea lifealan is a great host doing wonderful things for the environment on great barrieralan is an incredible host warm friendly and accommodatingLocation:
the location is fabulousa good location for exploring the northern part of the islandnice rural setting very close to okiwi beach and the surfthe okiwi park adjoining the property is a true gemgreat host good location comfortableRead more reviewsCleanliness:
it is absolutely spotless and has everything you need inside a fabulous kitchen and stunning surrounds
3. Fabulous private experience (from USD 236)
“A small, funky Californian bungalow” is how the host describes this private mini-estate that is only a few minutes from Medlands Beach. If you search for the Great Barrier Island from the air, you can see the property and some of the nearby spots you can visit. The place can comfortably fit up to four guests with its two bedrooms. Furthermore, solar panels, heating systems, WiFi, and an indoor fireplace are some of the amenities guests can enjoy. The place is remote yet very accessible, so you will not have a hard time settling in.
Top guest reviews
Host:
elliot is a fabulous host and ensures that everything is arranged and readywould highly recommend this spot the host even gave us some kingfish for dinnerelliot was also very helpful the whole timeshane who manages the property was wonderful helpful professional friendlythanks very much for being so helpful and friendly elliotLocation:
close to medlands beach which is awesomegreat location private and beautifully presentedthe location is fantastic just a short trip to the beachit is in a great location close to the beachawesome location 2 minutes from the best beach (medlands)Cleanliness:
great communication with owner and beautifully cleanRead more reviewsAmenities & Room:
this is a well-equipped private and comfortable house
4. Tiki cabin on Fantasy Island (from USD 156)
This cabin was carefully designed for single guests or couples who want to have a great time! A sunny studio cabin allows you to be greeted directly by beautiful rays of sunshine and a stunning view across the harbor and out to the sea. It offers a small bar fridge to keep cool drinks and an on-site breakfast that is available for extra charge. You can explore several restaurants, bars, and cafes that are within walking distances.
Top guest reviews
Host:
great hospitality and very friendly hostsadam & peter were great hostsadam and peter were great hostsadam and peter were so welcoming and kindadam and peter are great hosts and nothing was too much troubleLocation:
the studio is located in a great location near shops and beachesthe location is great too for exploring the islanda highly recommended location for exploring great barrierclose to the best irish pub in the world and the best beach on the islandan amazing luxury cabin set in a stunning location a+++ hospitalityCleanliness:
the room was clean and had everything we neededRead more reviewsAmenities & Room:
would recommend there cooked breakfast as welour visit included breathe-taking views wonderful accommodations gorgeous gardens a delicious breakfast and access to pristine isolated beachesthe breakfast was also really good and would 100% stay again
5. Tāne Cabin on Fantasy Island (from USD 156)
This is another cabin on Fantasy Island that is very similar to the one listed in number 4. However, thinking about the name it has been given, you will have a better understanding of the place. In Māori mythology, Tāne is the god of forests and birds and the son of Ranginui and Papatūanuku, the sky father and earth mother who lie in a tight embrace. The name itself means “man” signifying the importance of fertility. The place is good for two people who enjoy being near restaurants, bars, and cafes. It also has an extensive landscaped gardens for nature walks around the place–truly a couple’s paradise!
Top guest reviews
Host:
adam and peter were awesome hostsalso the hosts are extremely friendly and helpfuladam and peter so kind for usawesome place highly recommend adam and peter are outstanding hoststhey are excellent hosts who will cater to your every needLocation:
the location is great too - short walk to restaurants cafe shops and beachonly a short walk to the store and a charming irish pubjust superb location views hospitality and accommodationtotally cool guys with an amazing placeRead more reviewsCleanliness:
the cabins were clean and had very comfortable bedsthe room is tidy clean well-organized well-themed cozy and cute
6. WaiOra Beach Retreat, Medlands Beach (from USD 149)
WaiOra is an Airbnb near the beach on Great Barrier Island, New Zealand, where you can rent a private room for three people. It is a spacious one-bedroom eco-retreat and family home where you can choose between the guest room or the self-contained Garden Chalet, which was designed for a complete beach house experience. It features an off-grid power system supplied mostly by solar panels. The large front deck is a great place to grab a cup of coffee or tea while the back deck will give you private access to the guest bedroom and the garden. Staying here will make you feel like you are living within nature, not just surrounded by it.
Top guest reviews
Host:
vicky is an incredible host who is very welcoming kind generous and makes you feel at home instantlyvicky was a wonderful helpful hostawesome host best beach on gb and lovely modern homevicky is a great host warm welcoming and caringvicky is a lovely host she is very friendly and welcomingLocation:
excellent location for beach accessthe location is perfect right on a sweeping beautiful beachproperty is in a good location for exploring both sides of the islandgreat place to stay with an excellent beach very close byvicky’s place is really well situated close to the airport and right across the road from a stunning beachCleanliness:
the house is comfortable attractive and cleanher room is clean and feels a lot like homewe stayed in the main house in a lovely clean rooma lovely host helpful in every way and a spotless clean acommodationsuper great location nice and clean she made us tea and guided us to all the right placesRead more reviewsAmenities & Room:
it was lovely having a swim before having breakfast on vicky’s nice deck spacebedroom with king bed homely sunny and pleasant to be inthe breakfasts were yummy with plenty of optionsthe room is also very comfortable to staythe bed was huge and super comfortable
7. Starry nights in tranquil Whangaparapara
For stargazers and “nocturnal” people, this entire apartment offers views that stretch up to the beautiful harbor because of its elevated location. It offers a panoramic view of the night sky that you can look at without any obstruction of trees or small hills. It is located in Whangaparapara harbor and is good for three guests who can fully utilize its well-equipped kitchen. Furthermore, the mobile phone coverage suits business travelers who do not want to lag behind work yet still enjoy the tranquil environment and activities in Whangaparapara like kayaking, paddleboarding, and so much more!
Great Barrier Island, Auckland, New Zealand
9.72 km (6.1 mi) from Glenfern SanctuaryTop guest reviews
Host:
agnes is a very friendly host and is fairly prompt with her responsesthe hosts are locals really nice people and will make sure you have a pleasant stayagnes was a fantastic host and made herself available whenever neededarranged a kayak for me and supplied helpful tipsagnes and rob were great hosts and made sure we had everything we could have wished forRead more reviewsLocation:
great place to get away from it allgreat location right next to wharf with magic viewsthere's a bunch of walks around and the village is easily accessible by carthe accommodation was basic but comfortable and in a beautiful location
8. Sandhills beach hut
Atop an acre of land on the Medlands Beach beachfront and 200 meters (656 feet) from where the water can reach, this guesthouse will elevate the stay-in experience of four guests with its modern yet simple design. It offers basic necessities like heating, WiFi, bathing essentials, and many more. It features a storage shed for guests to use where they can borrow surfing, fishing, and tramping equipment from the hosts who live near in the main house.
17.06 km (10.6 mi) from Glenfern Sanctuary
9. Romantic beach getaway
This house is located on Medlands Beach. It is set on a farmland with a private olive grove of different plants, bushes, and trees in front. From this house, it only takes a two-minute walk to get to the beach and a 10-minute drive to reach the airport and the town of Claris where you can get souvenirs and other products during your arrival or before you leave. Designed by award-winning Herbst Architects, this house is ideal for a couple or a small family of three. It has a large entertainment area, lounge dining, and kitchen. It’s an accommodation with a kind of sophistication that relaxes you during your week away from work or the city and makes your staycation worthwhile.
17.1 km (10.7 mi) from Glenfern Sanctuary
10. Stunning Shark Alley
Do not be afraid of its name as this guesthouse, which can accommodate up to five guests, offers a beautiful view of numerous hills and the beach. Even though it has its own beach, the Medlands main beach is only a stroll away. The house is quite new and offers a comfortable space with its own deck and lawns, a well-equipped kitchen, and an outdoor griller. It also has an electric fridge despite the place being run by solar power. Hence, this guest house is full of amenities that are readily available, including equipment for water sports.
Great Barrier Island, Auckland, New Zealand
17.79 km (11.1 mi) from Glenfern SanctuarySuperhost
Accommodates: 5
Top guest reviews
Host:
graham was a fantastic host and really helpful with local knowledge and advicechris graham’s caretaker was so helpful and accommodating to our requestshe gave us helpful local tipsgraham was great to deal with and very helpful if we had any queriesgraham was helpful and relaxedLocation:
great location lovely place to visitbest location on the island for a quiet beach escapegraham is close by and very helpful when needed however we had all the privacy we wantedgraham's place was very comfortable and chirs was great on arrival to show us aroundCleanliness:
the apartment is clean modern comfortable and beautifulthe accommodation is super clean stylish and restores the soulthe place was very clean and tastefully decorated with ample space for 5 of usgreat place to stay modern clean quite awesome viewsthe house is clean and graham is very helpful and fast with his communications when bookingRead more reviewsAmenities & Room:
stylish apartment with amazing viewsvery nice place with just about everything you need for a comfortable stay
11. The Blue Bayou
Built in 2006, this entire house gives off a comfortable and warm ambiance inside and out. From its warm decorations on the inside to the large deck outside, this house that was built for the purpose of both work and play will let you make the most of your experience in Aotea. A group of five friends or family members will enjoy a small oven, griller, good phone coverage, and a great set of speakers. The place also has a child-safe environment with dangerous places like the deck or stairs having gates to keep the children away just in case they stray beyond the observation of parents. This is overall a safe accommodation for friends and family who have kids.
Great Barrier Island, Auckland, New Zealand
12.77 km (8.0 mi) from Glenfern SanctuaryAccommodates: 5
Top guest reviews
Host:
jo was a wonderful host and i would definitely recommend :)communication throughout was great and it was a pleasure to host yourecommend anyone booking on gbi makes sure the owner can ensure basic water supplyLocation:
good fishing close to the accommodationsafe swimming beach close by a 3- 5 min walk awayit is a short walk to the beach and near some great walksgood location on the west side of great barrier islandgood home in a good location - near a beautiful beachCleanliness:
this was a nice clean home with a easy check inthe blue bayou was accurately described clean roomy and comfortableRead more reviewsAmenities & Room:
very comfortable with a huge deckluckily lots of extra blankets available for beds
12. The Bach at Okupu
The Bach has decks that open out to views of Okupu. This two-bedroom cottage, which can accommodate up to four guests, is surrounded by native bush, making the place blend in with nature. It is also surrounded by many beaches and tracks, so you will have the leisure to go on beach walks, boating, fishing, and many more. Immersing yourself with nature, you can help yourself to fresh herbs and vegetables from the garden as well as two fresh eggs daily from the hen house. As requested by the host, do feed the hens food scraps so that you can continue getting those fresh eggs and entertain yourself while doing so.
Great Barrier Island, Auckland, New Zealand
12.69 km (7.9 mi) from Glenfern SanctuaryAccommodates: 4
Top guest reviews
Host:
sonya was a great host for a great weekendsonya and jamie are great hosts and communication was timely and relaxedsonya was very helpful in the lead up to our trip and a great communicatorsonya was very helpful and great to deal withLocation:
the location was perfectly situated near just about everythinga very pretty locationnice location being close to a beach and also fairly central for exploring around the islandgreat bach in a quiet bay close to the beachperfect location on a very quiet place i love itCleanliness:
very clean and comfortablethe house is extreamly cleansuper friendly neighbours wicked hosts clean tidy and homelyRead more reviewsAmenities & Room:
stunning views of the bay and a lovely beach where we swam before breakfast each daythe bach is a treasure of a place with a gorgeous view very comfortable bed spacious and cleanwe had everything we needed for a comfortable stayit has great views and is super close to the bay for a kayak and swim
Raw form of nature
Aotea or Great Barrier Island in New Zealand is a great place to experience nature in its raw form because it is considered a sanctuary. As such, tourists will have to be responsible for their actions and take care of the environment they immerse themselves in so that the place can be enjoyed for many generations to come. During your stay, make sure that with everything you do, you must always compromise for the benefit of yourself as well as the very place you are exploring. That is how you will see the true beauty of having mutual respect for nature. Enjoy the raw beauty of Auckland by securing comfy accommodation in one of the best places to stay on Great Barrier Island, New Zealand.
Frequently asked questions about Airbnb vacation rentals on the Great Barrier Island, New Zealand
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