Motutapu Island Walkway is a scenic coastal trail in Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf. The track traverses volcanic landscapes, historic sites, and pristine beaches with panoramic views of the gulf. Accessible by ferry from Auckland, it offers diverse terrain including farmland, archaeological Māori sites, and World War II military installations across this predator-free conservation island.
Find more walks in this area… Explore other Hauraki Gulf walks for additional island adventures.
Motutapu Island is accessible only by ferry or private boat. The main access point is from downtown Auckland via the Fullers360 ferry service, though you need to book the Rangitoto Island ferry and specifically request a Motutapu stopover (Home Bay). The ferry journey takes approximately 25 minutes to Rangitoto, then another 10 minutes to Motutapu’s Home Bay wharf.
Important transport considerations:
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Motutapu offers something genuinely different from mainland Auckland walks. The island’s predator-free status means the birdlife is noticeably more abundant and bolder. You’ll hear bellbirds and tūī without straining your ears, and if you’re lucky, you might spot takahē—those prehistoric-looking flightless birds that were once thought extinct.
The archaeological significance here is remarkable. Motutapu contains some of the earliest evidence of human settlement in New Zealand, with over 40 recorded pā and midden sites. Walking past these remnants gives you a tangible connection to the island’s Māori history that information panels alone can’t convey.
Here’s what many visitors don’t realize: Motutapu is actually the older geological sibling of Rangitoto. While Rangitoto’s dramatic black lava fields are only about 600 years old, Motutapu’s rolling hills date back millions of years. The contrasting landscapes where the two islands connect (via a causeway you can walk across) make for fascinating viewing.
The island’s open farmland means sun exposure is significant. Even on overcast days, the reflection off the water intensifies UV radiation more than you’d experience on forested mainland tracks. Locals pack twice the sunscreen they think they’ll need.
Water is the other critical consideration. There are no streams, no taps along the tracks, and no shops. The small DOC office at Home Bay occasionally has water available, but you cannot rely on this. Seasoned Motutapu walkers carry at least 2 litres per person for a full-day walk, sometimes more in summer.
Most trampers arrive on the morning ferry and leave mid-afternoon, creating a predictable crowd pattern. If you want the tracks to yourself, catch the earliest ferry possible or stay overnight at the DOC campsite at Home Bay. The island at dawn is magical—you’ll share the paths with nothing but birdsong.
Summer weekends see the most visitors, but this also means the most reliable ferry schedule. Winter walks offer solitude and dramatic stormy seascapes, though the tracks can become muddy and slippery in exposed sections.
Let’s be honest—Motutapu isn’t a casual stroll. The tracks undulate constantly, and what looks flat on a map often involves more climbing than expected. The volcanic terrain creates short sharp hills that accumulate fatigue over distance.
Navigation can trip up even experienced trampers. Many of the tracks cross open farmland where the “trail” is just a worn line through grass. In wet conditions or if the grass is long, you might find yourself second-guessing the route. Download offline maps before you leave the mainland because mobile coverage is unreliable at best.
The island offers limited shelter. When weather turns, you’re exposed. The same coastal position that creates stunning views also funnels wind across the tracks. I’ve experienced sudden weather changes that transformed a pleasant walk into a genuinely challenging experience. Always pack a windproof layer even if Auckland city looks calm.
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The conservation work happening on Motutapu deserves recognition. The island underwent intensive pest eradication, and native species are being systematically reintroduced. The landscape you walk through today is dramatically different from just two decades ago.
Birdwatchers should bring binoculars. Beyond the common coastal species, you might encounter New Zealand dotterels (one of our rarest shorebirds), variable oystercatchers, and if you’re exceptionally fortunate, pateke (brown teal). The saddleback population is thriving, their distinctive calls echoing through regenerating bush sections.
Beyond the usual tramping essentials, Motutapu requires some specific items:
Yes, there’s a DOC campground at Home Bay with basic facilities including toilets and cold showers. You must book in advance through the DOC website. Sites fill quickly over summer, especially during school holidays. No campfires are permitted due to fire risk.
No. Motutapu has zero commercial facilities. You must bring all food, water, and supplies with you. The nearest place to purchase anything is back on the Auckland mainland after your ferry return.
Patchy at best. Some areas near Home Bay might catch a signal on certain networks, but most of the island has no coverage. Don’t rely on your phone for navigation or emergency contact. Tell someone your plans before you go.
The shorter loops around Home Bay and Administration Bay suit families with school-age children who are comfortable with a few hours of walking. The longer routes to Billy Goat Point or around the island are quite demanding for young kids. The terrain is genuine backcountry, not a playground.
Bikes are allowed on Motutapu’s farm roads and some tracks, but the terrain is challenging with steep sections and loose surfaces. Most cyclists are experienced mountain bikers. Check DOC regulations for which tracks permit cycling as some are walking-only.
You’re stuck overnight unless you arrange (and pay considerably for) a private water taxi. The DOC campground might accommodate you if they have space, otherwise you’ll be camping rough. This is why coordinating ferry times carefully is essential.
Yes, several gun emplacements and military structures remain around Administration Bay and other coastal points. They’re fascinating historical remnants, though some are fenced for safety. Information panels explain their wartime purpose guarding Auckland’s harbour approaches.
The ferry dropped us at Home Bay on a crisp Saturday morning, and I immediately felt that pleasant disconnect from the mainland. My partner and I had chosen the Motutapu Island Walkway on a whim, drawn by promises of coastal views and archaeological sites.
We started on the track heading toward Administration Bay, passing through regenerating farmland that still showed traces of the island’s pastoral past. The path was well-marked but rugged enough to feel like an actual tramping experience rather than a manicured park stroll. Within twenty minutes, we reached the first pā site, and I found myself standing where Māori had lived centuries ago, trying to imagine their view before the pohutukawa had grown so tall.
The walk to Billy Goat Point tested my fitness more than I’d expected. The terrain rolled constantly, and the summer sun beat down harder without the tree cover I’d grown used to on other Auckland walks. But reaching the headland made every uphill stretch worthwhile. The Hauraki Gulf spread out in shades of blue I didn’t know existed outside of postcards, with Rangitoto’s volcanic cone dominating the western view.
We stopped for lunch on a rocky outcrop, watching yachts drift past and seabirds wheel overhead. The silence felt profound, broken only by wind and waves.
The return loop took us through more forested sections where restoration work was clearly paying off. Native seedlings dotted the understory, and I spotted a saddleback—my first ever—hopping through the branches.
By the time we caught the ferry back, my legs ached and my water bottle was empty, but I felt genuinely refreshed in a way that desk-bound weeks never quite allow.
