The Good Heavens team take you stargazing on remote Great Barrier Island. Good Heavens Stargazing Great Barrier Island NZ
This beautiful island also known as Aotea can be reached by plane from Auckland. Getting here is part of the stargazing adventure!

However, connecting the dots between flights, car rental, accommodation and stargazing can be challenging. We've made this easy by creating stargazing packages for Aotea Great Barrier Island for you, our beloved stargazers. Make use of our local knowledge!

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
  • Premium fully refundable 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 requirements using below checklist to for a competitive package quote.

Price range examples:

  • $750 per person for 3 nights for a family of 5 at Medlands Sanctuary,
  • $1150 for two couples for 5 nights at XSPOT Beach House
  • $2250 per person for 7 nights at XSPOT Cliff House with private stargazing experience.

 

 

 

Checklist for your stargazing package
  • Which accommodation would you like to stay at (also see overview below)?
  • Medlands Sanctuary (max. 5 people)
  • XSPOT Medlands Beach House (max. 4 people)
  • XSPOT Cliff House (max. 4 people)
  • How many people in your party?
  • When would you like to stay? (minimum requirement is 3 nights)
  • Shuttle or rental car?
  • Morning or afternoon flights? You may be able to connect with your international flight at Auckland Airport if weather permits this.
  • 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.
  • Would you like itinerary suggestions?
  • Email us at

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:

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 their lives on the island and their favourite spots. XSPOT Beach House is stand alone, but hosted by Hilde and she will be happy to pop in for a chat and a cuppa, if you would like this. All three accommodation options are fully self-contained and we endeavour to provide all you need for a blissful holiday on Aotea Great Barrier Island.

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.

Some specific details for your Great Barrier Island stargazing package

Please read through the below before you book your package. It will increase your understanding of some specifics.

A minimum of 3 nights accommodation

If you like nature, Aotea is the place for you. Most of our stargazers say they wish they booked more days. 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 stunning beaches to explore and a plethora of walking tracks and little galleries. And, fortunately for us, half the park is after dark. So that, when the skies are clear, you can discover its beauty with us.

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
  • It gives you the opportunity to truly relax
  • Staying longer limits carbon footprints
  • And it also reduces accommodation changeovers

Longer stays are available.

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 30 minutes on foot, 5 minutes by car, from the Beach House around 10 minutes on foot or 2 minutes by car.

At our Medlands stargazing site, on top of a sand dune, you have the choice of a Look Up and Get Lost Stargazing Experience when the Moon is not in the sky, or a Moon Walk, when the Moon is illuminated at least 50% and deep sky objects are harder to see. Check if a private experience at the beach is available during your stay and check our FAQ for more info.

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.