Fall in love all over again — 3-Night Island Anniversary Escape
Mark your anniversary with something truly unforgettable — a romantic, adventurous escape to our wild and remote island, where nature sets the stage and every moment feels like your own private love story.
Over three days and nights, you’ll explore windswept coastlines, discover hidden beaches, and lose yourselves in untouched wilderness. Hike through rugged landscapes, share laughter over scrumptious meals, and reconnect far from the noise of the world.
The highlight? A stargazing experience in one of the world’s rare Dark Sky Sanctuaries. On sand dunes by the Pacific, the night falls and stars come alive overhead, while your local stargazing guide explains the stellar tapestry.
There’s no script here. Just pure, natural beauty — and a celebration of the journey you’ve taken together, with memories you’ll treasure for a lifetime.
Your Stargazing Anniversary Package includes:
3 nights accommodation at either XSPOT Medlands Beach House, XSPOT Cliff House, or our secluded Medlands Sanctuary
A group stargazing experience in the certified Dark Sky Sanctuary
A photo to capture the magic (if you wish)
A rental vehicle for the length of your stay (72 hours or less)
Premium return flights from our Airport to the Island with Barrier Air
A romantic itinerary curated for you — from stunning hikes to hidden beaches and local secrets
A complimentary copy of Sanctuary — an illustrated love letter to the island
An anniversary gift package
Our all-female team is here to help with a personal touch, for you and your plus one.
This isn’t just an anniversary. It’s the continuation of your love story!
Anniversary Packages start from $2,860.00 for two for three nights
Useful links for your stargazing adventure on Aotea Great Barrier Island
If in doubt, please check terms and conditions for the companies we work with:
Please note a 100% fee is due at the time of booking. Packages are fully refundable within 24 hours of purchase. After that 50% of the fee is refundable until 14 days prior to booked date. No refund within 14 days of booked date.
Accommodation options for your Aotea Great Barrier Island stargazing package
Stay with Deb at Medlands Sanctuary, or with Hilde at XSPOT Cliff House. They will be around some of the time to chat to you about the best spots to visit and their off-grid lives on the island. XSPOT Beach House is stand alone. All three accommodation options are fully self-contained and while basics such as coffees, tea, oil and vinegar are present, we recommend shopping for groceries locally for your daily essentials.
Medlands Sanctuary
A peaceful home with beautiful valley and garden views, hosted by Deb and nestled in scenic Medlands valley. Surrounded by native bush and just a short walk or drive from the stunning Medlands beach, the location for our group stargazing experiences.
This 5.7 hectare property offers rustic bushwalking, the relaxing gurgle of a stream and a hammock to kick-back in.
XSPOT Cliff House
Treat yourself and your loved one to cliff top solitude in this 4WD location in Schooner Bay, Tryphena.
You’ll find 270 degree views to the ocean and the sky and waves lapping 100m below. Look out for gannets, dolphins, whales and manta rays.
Light and architecturally designed, this apartment is cosy in winter also. Perfect for honeymooners, stargazers and silence lovers
XSPOT Medland Beach
Brand new in 2024: Wide views over Oruawharo Medlands and the ocean make this modern two-bedroom, two bathroom off grid beach house perfect for your beach hols. Architectural design, with sun decks in front and shade in the rear and a 5 minute stroll to the beach.
Starlink internet and a washing machine make this place perfect for longer stays or working holidays, too.
Get a quote
Package quote total depends on the number of stargazers, length of stay, type of stargazing experience, and the number of days you require a rental car.
All package elements are subject to availability.
Packages have limited availability between Christmas and Waitangi Day (6th February).
Need to know details for your Great Barrier Island stargazing package
We recommend a stay of a minimum of three nights
- Maximise your chances of a clear sky > successful stargazing
- Take the time to truly relax and discover the wonderful wilderness of Aotea
- Reduce your carbon footprint by traveling slow
- Our stargazers often tell us they wish they could have stayed longer
Location of your Stargazing experience
When you stay at Medlands, either at Medlands Sanctuary or the XSPOT Medlands Beach House, you are close to the location of Good Heavens’ group stargazing experience. From Medlands Sanctuary, it’s about 20 minutes on foot, 4 minutes by car, from the Beach House around 10 minutes on foot or 2 minutes by car.
XSPOT Cliff house is a 30 min. drive from the group experience site, and you will need a 4wd car if you stay here. At XSPOT Cliff House a private Heavens Above experience is often available on site.
4WD rental car or a shuttle from/to your accommodation
If you can drive, we recommend getting a rental car, as the island is bigger than most people think, around 50 kilometres long, and some of the most remote and beautiful places are most easily reached by car. There currently is no public transport on the island.
Extras included in the stargazing package
* Aotea itinerary, curated for you by Hilde and Deb
Deb and Hilde have a thorough knowledge of the island and their suggestions for your island itinerary with all their favourite things to do will be included in your stargazing package.
* The book ‘Sanctuary’
Our complimentary gift to you: this interesting book is a record of the application for Aotea/Great Barrier Island to become the first island in the world with International Dark Sky Sanctuary status. It also gives you an overview of the island, including demographics and geographical features, as well as stunning (day and night time) photography. It’s written by our friends Gendie and Richard Somerville-Ryan, Nalayini and Gareth Davies, and its retail value is $60.