The Tieke Track is a scenic walking trail on Motuihe Island in Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf. This coastal loop track showcases the island’s regenerating native bush, historic sites, and stunning harbor views. The moderate walk takes approximately 2-3 hours and offers wildlife spotting opportunities including native birds in this predator-free sanctuary island.
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Explore additional tramping opportunities with our comprehensive guide to Hauraki Gulf walks featuring island adventures and coastal trails throughout Auckland’s marine park.
Motuihe Island sits approximately 18 kilometres northeast of Auckland in the Hauraki Gulf. The only way to reach the island is by boat.
If catching the ferry you’ll need to park at the Auckland ferry terminal. The Downtown Car Park on Customs Street offers all-day rates though it’s not cheap. Consider public transport or being dropped off to save money.
The real magic of Tieke Track lies in what you won’t find here—predators. Motuihe underwent intensive pest eradication and now thrives as a sanctuary for species that struggle on the mainland. The Department of Conservation has reintroduced takahe, saddleback, shore skinks and several other threatened species that now call this island home.
Walking here feels different from mainland tracks. The birdsong is genuinely loud. I’m talking about a wall of sound that makes you stop and just listen. Tieke (saddlebacks) are the island’s namesake and you’ll likely spot these cheeky birds hopping about fearlessly. They’re curious little things and will often approach quite close.
The track itself meanders through various regeneration stages. Some sections feature mature pohutukawa that somehow survived farming days, while other areas show younger plantings filling in gaps. This patchwork tells the story of conservation in action rather than presenting some pristine fantasy wilderness.
Motuihe has worn many hats over the centuries. Maori occupied the island seasonally for fishing and kumara cultivation. Then came European farming. During both World Wars the island served military purposes with gun emplacements installed to protect Auckland’s harbour approaches.
The concrete bunkers near the summit make for interesting exploration. They’re safe to poke around in and kids absolutely love them. You’ll also notice old farm fences and exotic trees marking former paddocks—reminders that this landscape was cleared and grazed until quite recently.
More soberly the island functioned as a quarantine station for decades. If you wander towards the southern end you’ll find remnants of buildings that housed people awaiting health clearance before entering New Zealand.
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While Tieke Track isn’t technically difficult it presents some genuine challenges worth knowing about before you go.
Being on a small island means weather hits differently. Wind that seems moderate in Auckland can howl across Motuihe making walking unpleasant. The track has several exposed ridgeline sections where you’ll cop the full force of whatever the Gulf throws at you. Check marine forecasts not just city forecasts.
Once you’re on the island you’re committed until the ferry returns. If someone in your group struggles with the walk or the weather turns nasty there’s no quick exit. This makes it less suitable for very young children or people with mobility limitations who might need to bail partway through.
The climb to the summit area involves some proper uphill work. The track zigzags to reduce gradient but you’ll still feel it in your thighs. Coming down requires care especially if it’s been raining as clay sections get slippery.
The tyranny of the ferry timetable affects how you experience the island. You’ll find yourself checking your watch more than you’d like, calculating whether you have time for another look at something interesting or need to head back. It’s worth building in buffer time so you’re not sprinting back to catch the boat.
Conservation islands often promise rare species that conveniently hide during your visit. Motuihe delivers better odds than most.
The ferry schedule dictates when you can visit but within those constraints some times work better than others.
Summer (December to February): Most popular season with reliable ferry services and warm weather perfect for swimming. The downside is crowds and the track can get busy by midday. Book ferries well in advance.
Autumn (March to May): My favourite time to visit. Weather remains generally good but fewer people make the trip. The pohutukawa have finished flowering but native bush looks lush. Ferry services may reduce toward the end of this period.
Winter (June to August): Ferry services typically stop or run very infrequently. If you can arrange private boat access you’ll have the island virtually to yourself. Bird activity remains high. Pack warm layers as coastal wind bites.
Spring (September to November): Ferry services resume and native birds are most vocal during breeding season. Weather can be unpredictable with spring storms rolling through. Pohutukawa begin flowering toward December creating stunning red displays.
No. Motuihe is a predator-free sanctuary island and no dogs are permitted under any circumstances. This includes assistance dogs. The biosecurity rules are strictly enforced to protect reintroduced native species.
Coverage is unreliable and patchy. Some carriers work better than others but you shouldn’t rely on having service. Download any maps or information you need before leaving the mainland.
The only toilet facilities are at Home Bay near the camping ground and wharf. There are no toilets on the track itself so plan accordingly before setting off.
The waters around Motuihe fall within various marine reserve and rahui restrictions. Check current DOC guidelines before collecting anything. Generally fishing from the wharf is permitted but restrictions apply to certain areas and species.
You’ll be staying overnight whether you planned to or not. The camping ground charges fees but the ranger will sort payment in the morning. This is why bringing extra food and checking ferry times carefully matters. There’s no other way off the island unless you arrange an expensive water taxi pickup.
Older children who are used to walking will manage fine. The distance and some steep sections make it challenging for kids under about seven. There’s no shortened loop option so once you start you’re committed to the full circuit. The island environment is generally very safe and kids love exploring the old bunkers.
No. The track is walking only. Mountain bikes would damage the trail surface and disturb ground-dwelling wildlife that the island protects.
Ferry services cancel in rough seas or high winds. If you’re already on the island when this happens you’ll need to stay until services resume. The ferry company usually contacts booked passengers but it’s worth checking conditions on stormy days. If you’re planning to camp this is less of an issue.
The ferry dropped us at Motuihe Island on a cloudless Saturday morning, and I immediately felt that particular kind of quiet that only exists away from the mainland. We’d come specifically for the Tieke Track, which loops around the island’s northern end.
The track starts gently enough through regenerating bush, and within minutes we were surrounded by birdsong. I spotted a saddleback flitting between branches—one of those conservation success stories you read about but rarely witness. The path alternates between native forest and open coastal sections, and it’s those transitions I remember most vividly. You’d be walking under a canopy of pohutukawa, then suddenly emerge onto a ridge with the Hauraki Gulf spreading out in every direction.
The climb to the summit isn’t particularly challenging, but my legs felt it by the time we reached the top. The views made the huffing worthwhile—Rangitoto dominated the western horizon, and I could make out the Auckland skyline shimmering in the distance. We sat on the grass near the old gun emplacement, eating sandwiches and watching a family of pukeko fossick around in the undergrowth below.
Coming back down, we took the coastal route past Home Bay. The water was that impossible blue that makes you want to jump in despite the temperature. A couple of people were doing exactly that, their shouts echoing across the beach.
The whole loop took us about two hours, moving at a relaxed pace. By the time we caught the afternoon ferry back, I had sand in my shoes and that pleasant tiredness that comes from a day spent outdoors. Motuihe isn’t dramatic or wild, but it’s exactly what I needed that weekend.
