Cape Brett Hut

The Cape Brett Track has been a cooperative venture between the Te Rawhiti 3B2 Ahu Whenua Trust and the Department of Conservation since 2001. The first 10 km of the track passes over private land owned by the Te Rawhiti 3B2 Ahu Whenua Trust. This section of the track is run and maintained by the Trust’s agent, Cape Brett Walkways Ltd. The track runs along the ridge through the Trust’s private land before reaching the 6 km long public conservation land section from Deep Water Cove to the Cape Brett Hutt. You can take a side-track (1 hr return) down to Deep Water Cove, where you can enjoy a refreshing swim and snorkel. From the forested ridges, you can take in spectacular coastal scenery. Towards the Cape, walking alongside the dramatic cliff-face, you can see abundant fish and bird life below - often dolphins and seals will come close to shore. From Deep Water Cove onwards, the track gets more challenging and becomes quite exposed with steep drop-offs to the sea below. Although it is not that far to the lighthouse, it will take you about 2-3 hours, and can be quite tiring. The effort is rewarded with outstanding views of the outer Bay of Islands, north to the Cavalli Islands and south to Whangaruru and beyond to the Poor Knights Islands. Along the track, you will come across an electric fence crossing the width of the peninsula. This was constructed in 1995 to reduce the impact of possums on the coastal bush. Ensure the gate is closed. Mountain biking is not permitted as the track is unsuitable for this.