Aotea Track
WalkAuckland
- Grade
- Advanced
- Walking time
- 3 days
- Dogs
- No dogs
Getting there
We have not checked a road end or car park for this place yet, so we do not give driving directions to it. Check how to get there before you go. Some routes cross private land and need the landowner's permission.
How to get there, on doc.govt.nzOnce on the island, entrances to the Aotea Track can be accessed by road.
Aotea/Great Barrier Island can be reached by boat or plane.
Their are two airlines that service the island, Barrier Air and Island Aviation. Barrier Air link Auckland’s Māngere domestic airport to Claris airfield on the island daily. Island Aviation only departs from Northshore, Diary Flat airport check their website for more details.
Sealink offers a passenger and car ferry service three to four times a week depending on the season.
Passenger bus and rental car services are available. For more information see Aotea Great Barrier Island's Getting around webpage.
Getting to Aotea/Great Barrier Island
Aotea/Great Barrier Island can be reached by boat or plane. Their are two airlines that service the island, Barrier Air and Island Aviation. Barrier Air link Auckland’s Māngere domestic airport to Claris airfield on the island daily. Island Aviation only departs from Northshore, Diary Flat airport check their website for more details. Sealink offers a passenger and car ferry service three to four times a week depending on the season. Passenger bus and rental car services are available. For more information see Aotea Great Barrier Island's Getting around webpage .
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
Map
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Topo map: LINZ, CC BY 4.0. 36.20037° S, 175.40192° E
About this place
The Aotea Track offers a range of spectacular landscapes, superb views and rich history.
The route
Hot Springs to Mt Heale Hut
Time: 4 hr
A paddle or soak in the Kaitoke Hot Springs is one of the highlights of the Aotea Track. Starting from Whangaparapara Road, the Kaitoke Hot Springs Track begins flat and easy, following an ancient shoreline. Follow the boardwalks across the unique Kaitoke Wetlands and listen out for the call of a fernbird or spotless crake, or maybe spot the orchids and sundews close to the track. Enjoy the hotpools but take care - they might be too hot in places. After a brief steep climb and descent, join Tramline Track North, which harbours reminders of the toil of loggers 80 years ago. Peach Tree Track soon appears on the left and you climb steadily through the regenerating forest to reach Mt Heale Hut. Given a clear evening, the striking sunsets over Hauturu/Little Barrier Island make the journey all worthwhile.
Windy Canyon to Mt Heale Hut
Time: 3 hr - 3 hr 30 min
Alternative access to the Mt Heale Hut is possible from the east, via Windy Canyon and Palmers Track, accessed from Aotea Road at the top of Whangapoua Hill. This section is fully bridged and is the shortest and easiest option for the first day. Here a steady climb takes you through the sheer rock faces of Windy Canyon with superb views of Okiwi Basin and Whangapoua estuary to the north, and Kaitoke and Medlands Bay to the east. On the ridge still stands the ‘wooden horse’, a sturdy H-frame used for winching logs up and over the saddle, before sending them down the other side on their way to the sea. The track follows the ridge, offering constantly changing vistas in every direction, before an impressive set of steps and stairways leads you to the summit. From here take South Fork Track along and down to Mt Heale Hut. South Fork track crosses streams that can become dangerous after rain. Do not attempt to cross streams after heavy rain.
Side trip: Mt Hobson (Hirakimata) summit
Time: 5 min return
Consider taking a side trip to the Mt Hobson (Hirakimata) summit for a 360° panoramic view. Hirakimata is home to rare species such as kākā, kākāriki, tomtit/miromiro, black petrel/tāiko, and recently re-introduced North Island robin/pītoitoi. The beautiful endemic Great Barrier tree daisy and tiny sundews like it here as well. Wooden steps closer to the summit protect the black petrel nesting grounds and sensitive ecosystems.
Mt Heale Hut to Kaiaraara Hut
Time: 4 hr
Follow the signs to Kaiaraara Track. The track is a steep downhill track with 15 bridges including 3 suspension bridge. The summit track is an easy tramping track with many stairs going downhill and the rest of the Kaiaraara track is of day visitor standard Several kauri dams were built in this area in the 1920s to transport timber from the mountain to the sea. An estimated 7 million feet of timber was slid into the dams. Once loaded, the dams were tripped one after the other so a full blast hit the lower dam, propelling the logs into Kaiaraara Bay. The foundation timbers still remain in place but unfortunately the Kauri Dam was washed away in a storm in June 2014
Kaiaraara Hut to Whangaparapara Road
Time: 5 hr
The last day is an easy grade route with no major climbs following Forest Road. Enjoy the beautiful bush and mountain views on route including Maungapiko Lookout, Kauri Tree Route (a small stand of impressive large kauri trees), as well as extensive vistas of the bays to the west. From Forest Road follow the historic Tramline Track to The Green campsite. On the way, a 5 minute detour to Kauri Falls is an excellent waterfall swimming opportunity. You can camp at The Green campsite at Whangaparapara or exit onto Whangaparapara Road.
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
Know before you go
Experience required
moderate fitness
What to expect
walk 10 - 25 km carry a pack some steep climbs many steps and stairways hot sun and high UV rain and colder temperatures slippery portions of track
What to take
Multiday tramping gear list
Pack in and pack out all rubbish
There is no rubbish or recycling facilities on the Aotea Track. Take all rubbish and recycling (include food waste) home with you.
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
On this track
In walking order.
Nearby stops
The Green Campsite
Standard • Auckland • 4.1 km
The Green Campsite is a small walk-in or boat-in campsite located on the sheltered waters of Whangaparapara Harbour in Auckland.
Non-powered/tent sites • Shelter for cooking • Water from tap - not treated, boil before use
Akapoua Bay Campsite
Standard • Auckland • 4.7 km
Akapoua Bay Campsite is a family-oriented campsite located near the sheltered waters of Port FitzRoy in Auckland. It offers easy access to many of the island's…
Boat launching • Non-powered/tent sites • Shelter for cooking
Whangapoua Campsite
Standard • Auckland • 6.4 km
Whangapoua Campsite is located on the edge of the Whangapoua estuary in the Auckland region. The site offers scenic views and is close to a popular surf break.
Non-powered/tent sites • Shelter for cooking • Shower - cold
Awana Beach Campsite
Standard • Auckland • 6.9 km
Awana Beach Campsite is a campsite located near Awana Beach in Auckland. The beach is one of the island's most popular places for surfing.
Non-powered/tent sites • Shelter for cooking • Shower - cold
Harataonga Campsite
Standard • Auckland • 7.6 km
Harataonga Campsite is a sheltered campground in the Auckland region. It is located close to Harataonga Beach, which is suitable for snorkeling and swimming,…
Non-powered/tent sites • Shelter for cooking • Shower - cold
Walks nearby
Tramline Track
Advanced • 6 hr • 8 km • 1.97 km away
Forest Road (Port FitzRoy - Whangaparapara)
Advanced • 5 hr • 13 km • 2.01 km away
Peach Tree Track to Mt Hobson (Hirakimata)
Advanced • 4 hr one way • 2.09 km away
Port FitzRoy: Kaiaraara Hut side tracks
Advanced • Various: 35 min - 4 hr one way • 2.43 km away
Kaiaraara Track to Mt Hobson (Hirakimata)
Easy • 3 - 3 hr 30 min one way • 5.6 km • 2.83 km away
Notes from people who have been
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Sources
- OpenStreetMap Trails · ODbL (Open Database License)Contains information from OpenStreetMap, made available under the ODbL.
- DOC Tracks (API) · CC BY 4.0Crown Copyright: Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai. Data sourced from the DOC Developer Portal (api.doc.govt.nz).