Walk Author: Sandra from Freewalks.nz
Sandra personally reviewed, documented, photographed and walked the Glenfern Loop Track on Great Barrier Island on 2 Jan 2023.
Fantastic little walk including an awesome lookout with views over Port Fitzroy plus a small detour to climb the giant kauri tree
From Port Fitzroy, take Aotea Rd walking past the one and only general shop. Then take the first left down Glenfern Rd. It’s about a 1km walk to the beginning of the track from the port. You’ll need to go through the Glenfern Sanctuary fence gate to enter.
Port Fitzroy Boat Club
You’ll find the yacht club opposite the turn off to Glenfern Rd. They were really busy when I popped my head in for a quick look. Lots of meals getting served up, lots of yachties craving lunch cooked for them for a change. There was a small coffee machine yet to be in service. As an Auckland coffee snob, I was kind of glad it wasn’t working ha ha!
Views from Sunset Rock lookout
It’s a bit of an uphill hike from the Glenfern Sanctuary office in Fitzroy House where the walk started. However, the views of Port Fitzroy along the way were very pleasant.
Take the short detour out to Sunset Rock, the views are stunning from here.
If you can’t be bothered walking up the hill I’m pretty sure there might be a guided tour from Fitzroy House in their van.
Visit the giant kauri tree lookout
After Sunset Rock the walk is very easy through a bit of regenerating bush then into unfarmed bush. The change in scenery is quite dramatic with enormous Puri trees and Kauri. Take the small detour to the kauri tree, you’ll be surprised to find a small suspension bridge to a step ladder going up to a tiny viewing platform right in the tree.
The walk is all downhill from here with quite a few steps along the way. You’ll pop out of the track just up from Fitzroy House.
Quick Facts about this walk
- Location: Port Fitzroy, Great Barrier Island, North Island, New Zealand
- Distance: 2.6 km full round trip from Port Fitzroy
- Time needed: 1 hour including photo stops at the lookout and kauri tree
- Difficulty: Easy except for the bit of a climb at the start of the walk
- Wheelchair access: No
- Route: Loop track
- Elevation: 122m at its highest point
- Wet Feet: No
- Toilets: One toilet at Glenfern Sanctuary office
- Dogs: Not allowed
- Mobile Coverage: Yes on Vodafone and 2 Degrees, but nothing on Spark
- Last Updated: 2 Jan 2023
Summary points about this walk
My photos of the Glenfern Loop Track at Fitzroy Bay
- 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
