Good Heavens stargazing packages connect the dots between flights, car rental, accommodation and stargazing.
Getting your stargazing experience, flights, accommodation and rental car to align can be challenging. We've tried to make this easy for you by creating stargazing packages for Aotea Great Barrier Island. Make use of our local expertise and book your stargazing package with us!

Good Heavens stargazing packages include:

  • Minimum of 3 nights accommodation, hosted in Deb or Hilde's accommodation
  • Your stargazing experience
  • 4WD rental car for the length of your stay
  • Return flights from Auckland Airport to Great Barrier Island
  • Itinerary suggestions for your time on the island by Hilde and Deb
  • Complimentary book 'Sanctuary'

Email your stargazing package requirements using below checklist to for a competitive package quote.

Price examples:

  • from $750 per person for 3 nights for a family of 5 at Medlands Sanctuary incl. a group stargazing experience
  • from $1150 per person for two couples for 5 nights at XSPOT Beach House incl. a group stargazing experience
  • from $1550 per person for two couples for 7 nights at XSPOT Cliff House with a private stargazing experience.

 

 

 

Please respond to the following checklist so that we can create your personalised stargazing package
  • Which accommodation:
  • Medlands Sanctuary (max. 5 people)
  • XSPOT Medlands Beach House (max. 4 people)
  • XSPOT Cliff House (max. 4 people)
  • Number of people in your party/bedding configuration
  • Dates (min. 3 nights, 7 nights or more at a discounted rate)
  • Rental car, number of days. Please note that the rental period is for 24 hours.
  • Morning or afternoon flights? Connection to international flight at Auckland Airport?
  • Type of stargazing experience: Group Stargazing Experience, Moon Walk, Private Experience. Our Moon Walks take place around 10 days each month. We’re happy to advise on timing, also see our FAQ for this.
  • Would you like itinerary suggestions?

Please email us at with the above info.

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.

Need to know details for your Great Barrier Island stargazing package
Minimum of 3 nights accommodation

If you like nature, Aotea is the place for you. Most of our stargazers say they wish they could have stayed longer. There is so much exploring to do here, on Aotea Great Barrier Island. This is because half the island is a conservation park. In addition, there are many pristine beaches to explore and there's a plethora of walking tracks and little galleries. And, fortunately for us, half the park is after dark.

Deb and Hilde both have a 3 night minimum length of stay. This has the following benefits:

  • It maximises your chances of a successful stargazing experience
  • Slower travel provides an opportunity to discover our beautiful island and to connect to some of the characters that live here
  • It gives you the opportunity to truly relax
  • Staying longer limits carbon footprints
  • And it also reduces accommodation changeovers

Longer stays are available, and both XSPOTs offer 7 nights for the price of six.

Here's Deb with some handy travel hints for Aotea.

Location of your Stargazing experience

When you are staying 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.

Extra's 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.

Still have questions? Have a look at our FAQ or contact us.