This information taken from our Walk Motutapu brochure
published by the MRT and DOC Auckland Area Office 2008. Photographs by Bridget Winstone 

You need to click to open the .pdf map
print it out as you need a hard copy to follow the various walks described below. You might also like to check out our google map

WalkMotutapu_map.pdf

WALK MOTUTAPU is a network of easy walking tracks linking historic and natural places of interest on Motutapu as well as connecting with tracks on Rangitoto.It opens up the mosaic of the cultural and ecological layers of this 'sacred island'.

Unlike its volcanic neigbour Rangitoto. Motutapu is a gently undulating island providing easy walking over pasture and a track through the regenerating native forest behind Home Bay.

"Walk Motutapu" provides stunning views of the Hauraki Gulf, the Coromandel and Whangaparoa Peninisulas and the city of Auckland. It introduces walkers to birdlife and native trees, as well as a working farm, just a short ferry ride from the centre of Auckland.

The island hosts our significant conservation project focused on the restoration of the natural and cultural landscapes of the island.

NOTE: TRACK TIMES ARE ONE WAY, ADD EXTRA TIME FOR FOOD AND DRINK STOPS AS WELL AS EXPLORING.

TRACK 1 MOTUTAPU WALKWAY

Home Bay to Islington Bay:
4.2 km; 1 hr 30 mins

Home Bay to Emu Point:
4.8 km; 1 hr 45 mins

Emu Point to Islington Bay:
3.0 km; 1 hr 5 mins

Home Bay is the site of an important pa, the 1901 Reid Homestead, Premier Picnics, and the Reid family graves.Track 1 starts at the southern end of the bay to the left of the camping ground. Poles mark the track across farmland, climbing to the island's 120m trig station
providing panoramic views of the Hauraki Gulf and greater Auckland. The track passes one of the ecological restoration sites, planted by volunteers in 2002 and 2003.
A loop track to Emu Point passes the site of the original homestead in Emu Bay.The main track continues towards Rangitoto - above the distinctive 15 million year old Waitemata sandstone cliffs facing Islington Bay and Rangitoto. The walk highlights the contrasts between the 600 year old volcanic Rangitoto with the 180 million year old Jurassic origins of Motutapu.

The track finishes near the Causeway, where walkers can either explore the tracks on Rangitoto or continue on Walk Motutapu towards Administration Bay.

TRACK 2 ROTARY CENTENNIAL WALKWAY

Home Bay to Northern Junction:
2 km; 40 mins

This track ascends through the growing Home Bay Forest planted by thousands of
volunteers since 1994.Walkers will observe a healthy regenerating native ecosystem. This walkway finishes at the Northern Junction, with the major military sites just a 5 minute walk away and access to tracks to the north and west. For more detailed information on this walk, click here

TRACK 3 WETLAND TRACK

Northern Junction to Billy Goat Point, via military sites and Wetland Track:
3.3 km; 1 hr 10 mins

Northern Junction to Waikarapupu:
2.1 km; 50 mins

The track passes WWII telegraph and observation post sites. A short detour will take in the gun emplacements. The track crosses undulating pasture to Billy Goat Point, passing the Waikarapupu wetland. At Billy Goat Point another military site is located and provides a great outlook to the north. Mullet, Station, Waikarapupu and Sandy Bays can be accessed from this track.

TRACK 4 POHUTUKAWA TRACK

Northern Junction to Billy Goat Point via military sites, Sandy Bay and Pohutukawa Track:
3.3 km; 1 hr 20 mins

Northern Junction to Sandy Bay:
1.1 km; 35 mins

Sandy Bay to Billy Goat Point:
2.2 km; 45 mins

The track passes the three WWII gun emplacements which once housed the six-inch gun battery. Take a torch and explore the underground magazines beneath the emplacements.

The track dips down close to Sandy Bay before climbing along the ridge to Billy Goat Point. Walkers will see groupings of young and mature pohutukawa.

TRACK 5 MOEC - ISLINGTON BAY TRACK

Administration Bay to the Causeway, Islington Bay:
5.2 km; 1 hr 30 mins

The track from Administration Bay is accessed by a coastal track from Sandy Bay, off the Pohutukawa Track. It passes near to the Motutapu Outdoor Education Camp (MOEC)The camp area is out of bounds to the public.

From Administration Bay the track clings to the coast to Pig Bay before moving inland
across pasture passing several WWII bunkers and magazines. The track joins one of the arterial roads which walkers follow to Islington Bay where they can continue on Track 1 back to Home Bay or cross the Causeway to walk the tracks on Rangitoto.

OTHER TRACKS

Northern Junction to Islington Bay (via road):
3.7 km; 1 hr 15 mins

Mullet Bay to Northern Junction:
1 km; 20 mins

Station Bay to Northern Junction:
1.6 km; 40 mins

Waikarapupu Bay to Northern Junction:
2.1 km; 50 mins

Sandy Bay to Northern Junction:
1.1 km; 35 mins

THE MOTUTAPU LOOP TRACK

HOME BAY TO HOME BAY
12.2 km; 4 hrs 30 mins

Take in the volunteers' forest, Northern Junction, the gun emplacements, Sandy Bay, Administration Bay, Causeway and return to Home Bay (or vice versa)

GETTING THERE

BY FERRY: Regular ferry services operate to Rangitoto, with twice-monthly 
services to Home Bay, Motutapu or Islington Bay, Rangitoto. Check timetables 
and fares with Fullers

BY PRIVATE TRANSPORT: The main access points to Walk Motutapu are at Home Bay and Islington Bay, both popular anchorages for pleasure boat users.  Link tracks to the main walkway can be joined at Mullet, Sandy, Station, Waikarapupu and Administration Bays.

Click here for a summary of important information for our walking visitors