Home      Accommodation       Facilities       Activities      Conferences & Packages     Travel      Contact

G
R
E
A
T

B
A
R
R
I
E
R

I
S
L
A
N
D

Great Barrier Island Map

 

Orama Christian Community is located in Karaka Bay, at the northern end of Great Barrier Island.

The Community was established in 1965 as part of a trans-denominational, Christian Trust.

The major focus of the Trust's work has been rest, retreat and restoration. '0rama' is the Greek word for vision.  Over the years this work has taken many forms with community members being involved in skill development, education, rehabilitation, a work programme and cottage industries.

However, at the heart of everything there has always been the ministry of offering hospitality to others and sharing the rhythms of life in a Christian community.

Currently the Trust's main activity is offering hospitality to many different groups and individuals. We provide a range of venue options for holidaymakers, business, church, special interest, community and school groups.

Accommodation ranges from conference facilities for groups of up to 30 people, self-contained houses and flats to bunkroom or cabin facilities.  School groups and special interest groups can be easily accommodated as our large dining room can seat up to 150 people.

The Orama property is 230 hectares (600 acres) of steep valley, surrounding a beautiful bay with pastureland, regenerating indigenous bush and mature trees.  Great Barrier Island is reknown for its biodiversity and Karaka Bay is home to a small flock of protected brown teal, with kereru (NZ wood pigeon), banded rail, North Island kaka (brown parrot), and a range of wading birds present in increasing numbers. It was from a specimen discovered on this property in 1974 that the chevron skink was identified as an endangered, sub-species.

Trustees and community members are working in partnership with local, national and international organizations to develop and enhance the property as an environmental resource.

Outdoor activities available on the property include: short bush walks, fishing, coastal walks and rock scrambling, sea-kayak and dinghy hire and grass volley-ball. We work with a number of local organizations to offer coastal cruises, abseiling, and adventure packages.

Click Here for more Information on Great Barrier Island
 

A rugged and beautiful island 90 kilometers north-east of Auckland city.  Great Barrier is the North Island's largest off-shore island and derives its name from the protection it gives the north-eastern area of the Hauraki Gulf.  The island is just 35km long and 15km at its widest point. 

Permanent residents number approximately 1200 and local communities survive with no reticulated electricity or water.  More than 60% of the island is administered by the Department of Conservation and there are a range of walking tracks.  Most services are situated in the southern and central parts of the island.  Services, such as banks and shops, taken for granted on the mainland, are few and far between here or simply do not exist. 

Arriving on the Barrier is for many visitors like taking a step back in time to a less frenzied way of life.  A diverse landscape Great Barrier contrasts the east coast with its white, sandy, surf swept beaches with the fiord-like sheltered harbours of the western coastline. There are rugged bush-clad ranges rising to Hirakimata (Mt Hobson), the highest point of the island at 621 metres and rolling hills, alluvial flats and sheltered mangrove estuaries.