Walk Author: Sandra from Freewalks.nz
Sandra personally reviewed, documented, photographed and walked the Oneura Bay (Red Cliff Cove) Castle Peak Summit Loop Track on Great Barrier Island on 3 Jan 2023.
Not an official walk of any kind, however, it's a great loop walk through Castle Peak if you're parked up in the boat looking for something to do
From Oneura Bay (Red Cliff Cove), take the dingy ashore. Don’t wear shoes, it’s very boggy trying to pull the dingy out. Walk to the left of the beach where the tiny creek comes out. Walk up the creek for a couple of minutes until you meet the farm track.
Turn right and follow the road. If you keep left at all the forks you won’t get lost. There are no signs. I bumped into some boaties turning right for the 30 min walk to Smokehouse Bay for a hot shower or bath. Smokehouse Bay is a great facility, but be prepared to get the fire going before there is hot water.
Lovely views of the Broken Islands
After about 30 mins of mostly uphill walking you’ll get to a nice lookout point. The views are really nice from there. You could double back at this stage if you just wanted to see the view.
The track is actually a dirt farm road and in good condition. There is a bit of gorse to hop around here and there on the track.
The track goes past the turnoff to Smokehouse Bay. It’s a nice detour walk to the facilities if you feel like taking a look. Watch out, it can be hard to spot the turnoff. Look for the blue ties on the trees.
Quick Facts about this walk
- Location: Oneura Bay (Red Cliff Cove), Great Barrier Island, North Island, New Zealand
- Distance: 5 km full round trip from the beach
- Time needed: 1.15 hours including photo stops
- Difficulty: Easy except for the bit of a climb at the start of the walk
- Wheelchair access: No
- Route: Loop track
- Elevation: 183m at its highest point
- Wet Feet: No
- Toilets: There are no toilets on this walk. There is one if you go down to Smokehouse Bay
- Dogs: Not allowed
- Mobile Coverage: Yes on Vodafone and 2 Degrees, but nothing on Spark
- Last Updated: 3 Jan 2023
Summary points about this walk
My photos of the Oneura Bay (Red Cliff Cove) Castle Peak Summit Loop Track on Great Barrier Island
- Glenfern Sanctuary - 3 or 5 bed house - Located in Port Fitzroy, 6.7 km from Okiwi and 26 km from Great Barrier Airport
- Boho Hill Apartment - 1 bed apartment - Located in Port Fitzroy, 9.3 km from Okiwi and 26 km from Great Barrier Airport
- Tipi and Bobs Waterfront Lodge - 6 units, lots of beds - Located in Tryphena
- The Lazy Fish - 2 bed house - Located in Tryphena
- Frosty's Retreat - Great Barrier Island Holiday Home - 4 bed house - Located in Tryphena
- Mulberry Grove Retreat - 2 bed house - Located in Tryphena
- Aotea Lodge Great Barrier - Big house ,2 bed + studio + more - Located in Tryphena
- Whalers Cottage - 2 bed house - Superbly located on Harpoon Hill, Whangaparapara and 15min from Claris Village and Airport
- Awesome View Cottage - 2 bed house - 2.5 km from Tryphena, 8.5 km from Medlands, as well as 18 km from Okupu
- Earthwings - 1 bed house - Medlands is 1.2 km from the chalet, while Tryphena is 7.7 km from the property. The nearest airport is Great Barrier Airport at Claris, 5 km from Earthwings.
- Great Barrier Oasis Lodge - 2 bed house - Medlands is 5.2 km from Great Barrier Oasis Lodge, while Okupu is 15 km from the property. The nearest airport is Great Barrier Aerodrome Airport, 9 km from the accommodation.
More walks on Great Barrier Island
Warren’s Waterfall Track
Old Lady Lookout Rock Track
Windy Canyon Lookout Walk
Whangapoua Lookout(s) Loop Walk
Harataonga Loop Walk
Kiwiriki Bay Lookout Walk
Oneura Bay (Red Cliff Cove) Castle Peak Summit Loop Track
Glenfern Loop Track Walk
Mt Hobson Summit Walk
Bridle Track
