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Motuihe Island
7 km
3 hours
195 metres
Safety notice: Conditions change; check DOC/local council/weather before walking.
If you are looking to swap the hustle and bustle of Auckland city for whispering native bush, untouched white-sand beaches, and the sweet songs of rare native birds, then Motuihe Island Walks should be right at the top of your adventure bucket list. Nestled in the sparkling waters of the Hauraki Gulf, Motuihe Island (Te Motu-a-Ihenga) is a pest-free conservation sanctuary that offers a magical slice of island paradise just a short ferry ride from the mainland.
Whether you are a local seeking a weekend escape or a visitor wanting to experience New Zealand's unique wilderness, this 7km loop trail is a spectacular way to spend a day.
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Your journey begins the moment you step off the ferry onto the Home Bay Wharf. From here, you are greeted by a beautifully maintained network of trails that seamlessly connect to form an easy-to-follow loop of approximately 7 kilometres. With an elevation gain of 195 metres, the walk is rated as moderate—making it highly accessible and incredibly kid-friendly, though there are a few short, heart-pumping climbs to keep things interesting.
As you set off from the wharf, you can choose to head inland along the popular Tieke Track. This section of the walk wraps you in a lush canopy of regenerating native forest and ancient trees. The air here is cool and alive with the chatter of rare birds. The gradient is mostly gentle, though you will encounter some moderate climbs as the track winds its way through the valley.
Emerging from the forest, the trail opens up to expansive coastal grasslands. You can follow the ridgelines along the Bald Knob Track towards the southern end of the island, where the clay paths give way to sweeping 360-degree views of the Hauraki Gulf and the iconic, volcanic silhouette of Rangitoto Island.
To complete the loop, the Eastern Beaches Track guides you down to the water's edge, where you can stroll along pristine shores, feel the salt spray on your face, and listen to the gentle lap of the waves before heading back to the wharf. Expect the entire loop to take about 3 hours at a leisurely, photo-stopping pace.
Visitors access Motuihe Island by ferry from Westhaven Marina in Auckland. Parking is available at Westhaven Marina on the mainland; there is no vehicle access or parking on Motuihe Island itself.
Get DirectionsKeep an eye out for these native and local bird species along the trail
Apteryx owenii
The little spotted kiwi is New Zealand's smallest kiwi species and can sometimes be heard calling at night on Motuihe Island.
Best time: Year-round (active at night)
Tīeke
Known for their distinctive orange-red 'saddle' and loud calls, tīeke were translocated to Motuihe and are now commonly seen foraging in the leaf litter.
Best time: Year-round
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Loop
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Motuihe Island is packed with scenic and historical treasures. Here are the absolute must-sees along the trail:
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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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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:
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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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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:
Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae
These vibrant green parakeets are often seen flitting through the forest, distinguished by their bright red forehead.
Best time: Year-round
Mohoua albicilla
Whiteheads are social, insectivorous forest birds, often seen foraging in noisy flocks high in the canopy of native forests. [6, 20, 21]
Best time: Year-round
Anthornis melanura
Endemic songbird with bell-like calls. Males are olive-green with a purple head sheen; females are browner with a narrow white-yellow stripe across the cheek.
Best time: Year-round
Anarhynchus obscurus
A threatened shorebird, the southern subspecies is critically endangered and breeds on sandy beaches and exposed hilltops.
Best time: Mid-winter to Summer (nesting season)
Eudyptula minor
These are the world's smallest penguins, known for their unique slate-blue feathers that help them camouflage in the ocean.
Best time: Spring-Summer (breeding season)