Great Barrier Island shields the inner islands of the Hauraki Gulf. Pacific Ocean swells break against its eastern side, where the beaches of Awana and Medlands are popular with surfers; the western coast has sheltered deep water harbours and bays. The island has four main settlements – Port Fitzroy, Whangaparapara and Tryphena on the western side; Claris on the eastern side.
Hiking, mountain biking, fishing and diving are the main sources of adventure on the island. There are tracks leading to secluded hot springs and historic kauri dams. Great Barrier is a haven for rare birds and lizards. Accommodation ranges from basic hikers’ huts to luxury lodges.
The kauri logging industry was a profitable in the island's early days. Kauri forests however were well inland and there was no easy way to get the logs to the sea or other routes to saw mills. The logs were therefore dragged to a convenient stream bed with steep sides and a Kauri Dam was constructed of wood with a "trapdoor" near the bottom large enough for the logs to pass through. When the dam had filled (which might take up to a year) the trapdoor was opened and the logs floating above the dam were sucked down through the hole and swept down to the sea.