Matt and I were very excited to leave the dock and get out into the blue waters.  We were so ready to move after 3.5 months on the hard at Norsand and then a week at Port Nikau Marina. 

Despite having super light winds we raised our sails.  Mostly to dry them out and give the impression we are a sailboat.  In the end, we motored the entire way.

Did not matter to us as we were out on the water enjoying a beautiful sunny day!

Kiwiriki Bay

Our first anchorage at Great Barrier was called Kiwiriki Bay.  We were tucked in all by ourselves.  However, by the end of the day a dozen launches dropped the hook in the bay’s surrounding areas.  Evidently, there was a fishing tournament happening the same weekend we visited.

Sugar Shack at Kiwiriki Bay with her new arch.

We took the dinghy over to Port Fitzroy (about 2.5nm) to stretch our legs.

Glenfern Sanctuary Loop Track

We went on a lovely 2hr return loop trek at the Glenfern Sanctuary with our friends Dan & Lexi on the boat “Amok”.  It was an overcast day with the sun making random appearances.  The track was shaded and very well marked.  

We decided to go counter clockwise and went up the bazillion stairs (rather than come down them on the return). 

Everything was so lush and green.  It was a beautiful walk through the forest, and along the river.

We stopped at the iconic kauri tree which is over 600 years old! 

They built a bridge from land to the tree. Then you climb up a ladder to a little lookout over Port Fitzroy Bay.

On the way back we stopped by Sunset Rock which offered more views of the Port Fitzroy Anchorage.

Our blog posts run 6 weeks behind actual live events.  We were at Great Barrier Island the first week of March 2026.

Find Onerua Bay (Red Cliff Bay) on No Foreign Land.

Did you find out why our beers were not staying cold?  If not, read here.