Motuihe Island Walks

Loop

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Highlights & Must-See Features

Motuihe Island is packed with scenic and historical treasures. Here are the absolute must-sees along the trail:

• The Golden Beaches: The Eastern Beaches Track grants access to a trio of stunning, secluded bays: Ocean Beach, Snapper Bay, and Calypso Bay. They boast powdery white sand and crystal-clear water, offering the perfect, wind-sheltered spot for a refreshing swim or a relaxed picnic.
• Bald Knob Lookout: This high point on the island provides breathtaking, uninterrupted views. On a clear day, you can spot the Auckland city skyline, Coromandel Peninsula, and nearby islands dotting the Hauraki Gulf.
• The Headland Heritage Walk: This shorter loop is rich with historical intrigue. Walk past historic olive trees planted way back in the 1860s, explore World War II gun emplacements, and visit the solemn 1918 Spanish Flu graveyard—a poignant reminder of the island’s past lives as a human quarantine station and a World War I prisoner-of-war camp.
• Pancake Limestone Formations: Take a moment to rest on the scenic bench overlooking Wharf Bay to admire the unusual, layered pancake limestone rock formations visible along the shoreline.

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Getting There

Getting to this island sanctuary is half the fun!

By Ferry: Regular passenger ferries depart from Westhaven Marina in downtown Auckland. The scenic cruise across the harbor takes around 30 to 45 minutes, offering fantastic views of the Harbour Bridge and Devonport along the way.

Parking: There is absolutely no vehicle access or parking on Motuihe Island itself. However, secure, paid parking is readily available at Westhaven Marina on the mainland.

Biosecurity Check: Because Motuihe is a strictly predator-free island, you must play your part in protecting its fragile ecosystem. Before boarding the ferry, ensure all your footwear, bags, and gear are thoroughly cleaned, checked for seeds or insects, and zipped closed. Due to its status as a wildlife sanctuary, dogs are not allowed on the island.

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Wildlife Spotting

Thanks to decades of dedicated conservation work, Motuihe Island is teeming with some of New Zealand’s rarest and most endangered species. Keep your eyes peeled and your camera ready for these local residents:

• Tīeke (North Island Saddleback): Extremely common on the island year-round. Look for their distinctive bright orange "saddle" and listen for their loud, rhythmic chatter in the canopy along the Tieke Track.
• Kākāriki (Red-crowned Parakeet): These vibrant, chatterbox green parrots love flitting through the treetops. You will likely hear their rapid, high-pitched chattering before you see them.
• Pōpokotea (Whitehead): Small, social birds with bright white heads that travel in busy, noisy flocks through the forest.
• Korimako (Bellbird): Listen out for their gorgeous, bell-like song echoing through the regenerating bush.
• New Zealand Dotterel: If you are visiting between mid-winter and summer, look out for these rare shorebirds nesting on the sandy beaches. Please give them plenty of space!
• Little Blue Penguins: Though they spend their days out at sea, you might occasionally spot them around the shoreline or nesting boxes during the spring and summer breeding season.
• Little Spotted Kiwi: While they are nocturnal and highly elusive, lucky campers staying overnight at the DOC-managed campsite often hear their high-pitched, piercing whistles echoing through the dark.

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Seasonal Magic & Practical Tips

• Best Seasons: The walks are beautiful year-round. Summer is unbeatable for swimming and beach picnics, while Autumn and Spring offer cooler walking temperatures and highly active birdlife. Winter brings quiet, crisp, crowd-free days that are perfect for clear, long-range photography.
• Best Time of Day: Catch the earliest morning ferry. This gives you ample time to complete the walk, enjoy a swim, explore the historical sites, and relax without having to rush back for the last boat home.
• What to Bring: There are no shops on the island, and facilities are limited to a small kiosk that only opens during the peak summer months. You must pack in and pack out everything. Bring plenty of drinking water, lunch, snacks, sturdy walking shoes, swimwear, and a camera.
• Weather & Protection: The coastal ridgelines are highly exposed to the elements. Pack a windproof jacket, plenty of sunscreen, and a sun hat, as the NZ sun can be fierce even on overcast days.

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Local & Regional Context

Motuihe Island holds a deeply significant place in both Māori and European history. Known traditionally as Te Motu-a-Ihenga (The Island of Ihenga), it was a highly valued location for local iwi due to its strategic position and rich fishing grounds.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the island served a darker purpose as a human quarantine station during various disease outbreaks, and later as a prisoner-of-war camp during WWI. It was from here that the infamous German commander Count Felix von Luckner staged a daring escape in 1917.

Today, the island is a shining beacon of ecological restoration. Thanks to the tireless efforts of the Motuihe Trust and thousands of local volunteers, the island was declared completely pest-free in 2005. Since then, hundreds of thousands of native trees have been planted, transforming once-barren farmland back into a thriving, self-sustaining native ecosystem.

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After the Walk

Since Motuihe is a wilderness sanctuary with no permanent cafes, you will need to head back to the mainland to refuel. Once the ferry drops you back at Westhaven Marina, you are in the perfect spot to treat yourself:

• The Swashbucklers Restaurant & Bar: Located right at Westhaven Marina, "Swashies" is a legendary Auckland institution. It is the ultimate spot for hikers to sit on the deck, enjoy a cold craft beer, and dig into a generous plate of classic fish and chips while looking out over the boats.
• Baduzzi: Just a short stroll from the marina into the Wynyard Quarter, this award-winning restaurant is fantastic if you want to swap your hiking boots for something a bit more sophisticated. Their handmade meatballs and Italian pasta are a spectacular way to reward your hiking efforts.
• Coops Corner Pub: Situated in the nearby Viaduct Harbour, this relaxed, sun-drenched pub offers great pizzas, burgers, and a fantastic range of tap beers right on the water's edge.