M a To Whangapoua Beach b e K to Katherine Bay y a ra R Discovering k o 9 a a B d ay R Wood Island Karaka Bay oad To Claris Waste on Aotea/ (Motuahu) Okiwi Park 8 Great Barrier Port FitzRoy d Rubbish collection on Aotea Roa Predator proof fence ea Great Barrier has changed ot If you had to design the Okiwi A in 2019. Residential waste School is collected weekly using perfect boatie's spot, this Port Old Lady Track supplied bins and bags. Take casual rubbish and recycling Abercrombie Okiwi home or drop it off at the would be it. Good on you Kotuku Point Aotea Community Recycling d Centre and Claris Landfill at for nding it! a rn Roa te o 70 Gray Road, Claris. fe d Ao a R n Please support us in our All you need to know to enjoy exploring Gl e goal to go Zero Waste. this area for a day. 2 y 1 Port FitzRoy Glenfern a Sanctuary B a r Key (turn over for description of each walk) tracks a Port FitzRoy wharf Mountain bike trail grades h o Grade 2. Easy Coopers Castle Haukaraka r Old Lady Track a Bridle Mostly flat with some Track (Mt Overlook) R C gentle climbs on smooth Track o 179m o track with easily avoidable Bush’s Beach Track Bradshaw Cove p Warrens Track e obstacles such as rocks and 3 rs potholes. C Motu Kaikoura a Okiwi Park st le Track Warrens Track T Grade 3. ra Intermediate Hirakimatā summit Glenfern Quoin Island Akapoua ck 7 (Graves Island) Coopers (see DOC brochure) Sanctuary Bay Akapoua Campsite Steep slopes and/or Castle avoidable obstacles Forest Road Bridle Track Motu r 465m possibly on narrow track (tramping track) u and/or with poor traction. o 11 Kaiaraara There may be exposure at Airfield b the track’s outside edge. Other track Sealed road Kaikoura r Bay Road a H Safe beach Gravel road 6 y Mitre Peak o Ka Information Shop/store iar 185m R aa z Blair’s Landing ra t T Petrol/diesel i Kaiar rack Public toilets F aa To Windy Perimeter Track ra t B ay Camping Ferry (16 hr walk) r 4 Canyon o Kaiaraara Hut P 10 Bus Campervan site School h’s Be ach Track Restaurant/bar Boat ramp Hirakimatā (Mt Hobson) 627m 5 S o Heritage site Scenic site u t h F Mountain bike route Tra o Cemetery ine W ck (Grade 2. Also walking track) L r k Man O’ War Passage T Mountain bike route k r (Grade 3. Also tramping track) Hut c So a a ut c r h F k T o rk i T Barbecue Kayaking k r Dog Information i ac ir k No dogs on DOC reserves, campgrounds w Mt Heale Hut Ki F Postal service Parking Aotea/Great Barrier Island and tracks, or on Motu Kaikoura. Dogs on o re leash allowed on all beaches, Auckland ( s t t r Council reserves and tracks and public a R Playground Child friendly walk c places. Dogs off-leash only in ‘under k o ) a control off leash areas’ marked on the d map Twin- this Islands includes some of the beaches No dogs Smokehouse Bay and the northern side of Okiwi airfield. 1km Please pick up after your pet. To Whangaparapara Places of interest Walk safe: many of these tracks are 1 Port FitzRoy village 4 Kaiaraara Hut, 7 Coopers Castle summit 10 Bush’s Beach forest and stream managed by the Department of Conservation. Before you head out, refer Hirakimatā (Mt Hobson) 2 Glenfern Sanctuary 5 8 Okiwi Park 11 Girlie’s Grave to the detailed track information in the summit "Aotea/Great Barrier Island' brochure Karaka Bay, Hillary Outdoors 3 Waterfall 6 Motu Kaikoura 9 (available from local information Education Centre, Orama Oasis centres) or visit doc.govt.nz Maps produced with support from the Ngāti Rehua Ngātiwai ki Aotea Trust Board. Shelter from the storm Laid back The sanctuary of Rarohara is SNAGBDM12/11/15 known today as Port FitzRoy. Used traditionally as a landing place and and local shelter from rough seas, this port was renamed by settlers in honour of Captain Robert FitzRoy, governor of Easy to see what New Zealand 1843-45. First flights With the stunning combination of makes Port FitzRoy The world’s first regular airmail service crystal clear water, bush covered Lookout Rock, a worthwhile side trip off Old Lady Track. Kauri is making a comeback after extensive logging. Photo: www.BENIsLAND.co.nz Photo: Kay Stowell. began between the Barrier and Auck- hills and just enough modern special. land in 1897, using pigeons. Coopers Castle walk 7 conveniences, boaties are drawn here Old Lady Track Future bush The pigeon-gram service started at Okupu, This is big and challenging, with some steep in all seasons. Maybe they should rename it “They were A lot has happened since European and was later also established at Port FitzRoy sections and rugged tracks. Best option is to There are passionate locals, tougher in the good ol’ days” track - because About 35 hardy souls keep the home fires and Whangaparapara. Birds took it easy on the settlers stripped these hills of forest. walk up from the Aotea Road carpark to the whoever the Old Lady was, she was fit and lovely intimate bays, a small burning year round, welcoming and hosting weekly steamer to the Barrier and flew back to Major replanting and pest control summit and come back the same way. strong! Still, this is one of the best walks in the visitors with hospitality in the tradition of Auckland with messages written on ‘flimsies’ programmes are under way. All 4 hours return. village with a shop, a library area, well worth the effort. manaakitanga as practiced by Ngāti Rehua attached to their legs. Department of Conservation land and info centre. Ngātiwai ki Aotea since the 1700s. Begins on Glenfern Road. For best views of the Two rival pigeon-gram companies were soon in on the island became the Aotea harbour go all the way to Lookout Rock. Walking, boating, chilling The port has seen exports of gold, trees, fish, business. Their stamps are very sought after. Conservation Park in April 2015. livestock and now mussels, and it’s a short trip 90 minutes return. out at a secluded bay - Port by boat or land to the cultural centre of Aotea: The beautiful birds were made redundant when Motairehe Whanga or Katherine Bay. Here you Kai moana (seafood) fest the first telegraph cable was laid to Barrier in Glenfern Sanctuary walk FitzRoy is tops with these 1908. Apparently the cable was more reliable. Inspirational, in a word. Visitors can walk among can be welcomed at two marae which are the The annual Mussel Fest in January options. pride and joy of mana whenua. more than 15,000 planted native trees, in a happens right here at Port FitzRoy. revegetation haven with a predator-proof fence. Chow down, as much as you like, while listening Glenfern Sanctuary offers guided tours by prior to totally authentic music from near and far and arrangement. Phone 09 429 0091. Local wildlife features in the school bus stops on the island. browse stalls of local produce and handicrafts. Allow 2 - 3 hours. Forest Road A 13km long unsealed road (closed to vehicles) Further out that follows exposed ridgelines and some If you’re up for a long walk, or want deep gullies. Great for mountain bikes - a Grade 3 ride. Start at the Kaiaraara Bay car to explore the wider area around Port park going south. You can get all the way to The sheltered harbour is ideal for kayak trips. FitzRoy, consider these options. But Whangaparapara on this track. remember, these are no floppy strolls 2 hours by bike, 4-5 hours walking (one way). with jandals, this is real bush walking: Submerge yourself into Aotea culture. Underwater views As with most Aotea harbours, Port FitzRoy Hirakimata (Mt Hobson) has beautiful clear water. It’s worth exploring Must-do activities Starting at the Kaiaraara Bay carpark near Blair’s Mussel Fest at Port FitzRoy - legendary! underwater. Don’t miss these highlights: Landing, take the Kaiaraara Track to Hirakimata, Dive tanks can be filled at Port FitzRoy, too. the island’s tallest peak and come back down The Mussel Fest 1 A highlight! Held every the same way or return via the South Fork year in January at the Port FitzRoy Boat Club. Bridle Track Track. Refer to doc.govt.nz for updates on track A nice stroll away from the road, from Port 6 Glenfern Sanctuary 2 Next door to Port Motu Kaikoura tracks closures in the area. FitzRoy central to Akapoua Campsite. FitzRoy is a wonderful example of native forest Got a boat? Start at Motu Kaikoura wharf on Unfortunately the magnificent kauri dam along restoration. A great introduction to what real 15-20 minutes one way. Or do a 90 minute loop the south side, and head northwards across the Kaiaraara Track completely washed away in Cycling the Forest Road. Photo: GBI Eco experiences. New Zealand forests can look like. Book a combined with the following: the island to check out World War II bunkers at a major winter storm in 2014. Do not attempt to guided tour before you head out. Bradshaw Cove. Good views of the narrow Man acces the area as it is extremely dangerous. O’ War Passage as you pass the airfield. Okiwi Park 8 Waterfall 3 For a delightful local walk, head Warrens Track to waterfall 3 You’ll need to be fit.