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Rakino Island
7 km
4 hours
150 metres
Safety notice: Conditions change; check DOC/local council/weather before walking.
If you are looking to escape the relentless hum of Auckland city life without spending hours in a car, the Rakino Island Walks offer the ultimate off-grid island escape. Situated in the sparkling waters of the Hauraki Gulf, this easy 7-kilometre loop takes about 4 hours to complete, making it the perfect day trip for families, couples, and solo adventurers alike. With a gentle elevation gain of just 150 metres, this walk is highly accessible, meaning kids can easily keep up, and your dog is welcome to join in on the fun too!
Your adventure begins the moment you step off the ferry onto the wharf at Sandy Bay, the island’s main landing point. Immediately, you will notice the profound silence, save for the lapping of waves and the chatter of native birds. There are no bustling shops, no traffic lights, and very few vehicles. Instead, a network of quiet gravel roads and informal tracks invites you to slow down and explore at your own relaxed pace.
The main route leads you gently uphill from the bay, traversing the island’s rolling, grassy hills. Underfoot, the terrain is a mixture of unsealed gravel roads and grassy tracks that are easy to navigate. As you wander along the ridgeline, you will be treated to breathtaking, 360-degree panoramic views across the Hauraki Gulf, with the distinct silhouette of Rangitoto Island on the horizon and Motutapu Island resting nearby.
The loop winds its way past hidden coves and quiet residential baches, eventually guiding you down to the golden sands of Woody Bay—a perfect spot to pause, dip your toes in the water, or stop for a picnic. From there, you can take a slightly wilder detour along Ivan's Track to explore the rugged beauty of Maori Garden Bay before looping back to Sandy Bay to catch your ferry home. It is a walk that feels less like a structured hike and more like a nostalgic journey back to a simpler, quieter New Zealand.
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Despite its modest size, Rakino Island is packed with unique sights and quirky features that make this walk incredibly memorable:
There is no public car parking available on Rakino Island for visitors. Access to the island is exclusively via ferry services from downtown Auckland (Pier 6) or, for residents, a car ferry from Half Moon Bay. Visitors must leave their vehicles on the mainland.
Get DirectionsKeep an eye out for these native and local bird species along the trail
Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae
Endemic New Zealand honeyeater with distinctive white throat tuft and iridescent plumage. Known for its complex and beautiful song.
Best time: Year-round
Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae
New Zealand wood pigeon, a large native bird with iridescent green and purple plumage. Important for seed dispersal of native trees.
Best time: Year-round
Refuel after your hike at these nearby spots
2km away
A popular seasonal pop-up pizzeria located just up from Woody Bay beach, known for its delicious wood-fired pizzas, live music, and vibrant atmosphere during summer weekends. Remember to bring your own drinks as there are no shops on the island.
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Loop
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Getting to Rakino Island is half the fun! Since there is no public car parking available for visitors on the island, you must leave your vehicle on the mainland.
Passenger ferries depart regularly from Auckland’s Downtown Ferry Terminal (Pier 6), taking about 45 minutes to reach Sandy Bay. It is a scenic cruise that takes you past Devonport and Rangitoto, letting you watch the city skyline fade into the distance.
For local residents, a car ferry operates from Half Moon Bay, but this is not intended for casual visitors. When you arrive at Sandy Bay, you will find yourself directly at the trailhead. Simply step off the wharf, look for the local road signs, and begin your walk.
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Thanks to the dedicated efforts of the local community, Rakino Island has been proudly pest-free since 2002. This ecological milestone has turned the island into a thriving sanctuary for native birdlife. As you walk, turn your eyes and ears to the regenerating bush and coastal canopies.
The melodic, bell-like song of the tūī is a constant companion on this walk, and you will easily spot them darting among the flax bushes year-round. You are also highly likely to hear the heavy, distinctive 'whoosh' of kererū (New Zealand wood pigeon) wings as these large, iridescent birds fly between the pōhutukawa branches. Friendly piwakawaka (fantails) will often flutter alongside you on the tracks, catching insects stirred up by your footsteps.
If you are walking during the winter or spring, keep an eye out for the occasional kākā (large forest parrot) visiting from neighbouring islands. Down on the rocky shorelines, particularly around Maori Garden Bay or the quieter corners of Sandy Bay, lucky walkers might spot the rare banded rail darting through the coastal scrub, or even catch a glimpse of a little blue penguin nesting or resting near the water's edge during the spring and summer months.
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Rakino Island is a fantastic year-round destination, but each season brings its own unique magic:
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Rakino Island has a rich and colourful history that adds a wonderful layer of depth to your walk. Long before European settlement, the island was utilised by local Māori, as evidenced by the name of Maori Garden Bay, where kumara was historically cultivated in the fertile coastal soil.
In the 1860s, the island was purchased by Governor Sir George Grey, who wished to use it as a private sanctuary. He built a home here, imported exotic plants, and even attempted to introduce various wild animals before eventually focusing his attention on larger Kawau Island.
In the decades that followed, the island was used for farming, before eventually being subdivided in the 1960s. Today, Rakino is home to a small, passionate, and fiercely independent permanent population. The community lives entirely off the grid, relying on individual solar power systems and rainwater harvesting. Walking through the island, you can really feel this sustainable, community-minded spirit in the air.
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After completing your 7km loop, you will likely have worked up quite an appetite. While the island is blissfully devoid of commercial strip malls, there is one legendary local gem you must try if you are visiting during the warmer months:
If you are visiting outside of the summer season, pack a thermos of hot coffee and a celebratory treat to enjoy on the beach at Sandy Bay while you wait for your ferry ride back to the mainland.
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
Rhipidura fuliginosa
Small insectivorous bird with distinctive fan-shaped tail. Friendly and curious, often following walkers through the bush.
Best time: Year-round
Nestor meridionalis
Large forest parrot found in native bush. Loud and social, increasingly common in predator-controlled sanctuaries.
Best time: Winter-Spring
Gallirallus philippensis
A shy and elusive wetland bird, often heard before it is seen, inhabiting dense coastal vegetation around estuaries. [cite: 23 in previous search]
Best time: Year-round