What to expect Aotea Track description Aotea Track Aotea Track requires a moderate degree of fitness and the Day 1: Hot Springs to Mt Heale Hut Day 2: Mt Heale Hut to Kaiaraara Hut Day 3: Kaiaraara Hut to Whangaparapara Rd ability to carry a pack containing a sleeping bag, cooking Time: 3–3.5 hours Time: 3 hours Time: 4 hours and food requirements, and warm clothing. The track is Aotea Track sometimes steep, and is scattered with several lengthy Starting from Whangaparapara Road, the Kaitoke Springs Begin from Mt Heale Hut with a steep 40-minute climb of The last day is an easy grade route with no major climbs Great Barrier Island (Aotea Island) stairways. Tramping boots are recommended. Include Track begins flat and easy, following an ancient shoreline. track and stairways to a junction with Kaiaraara Track, which following Forest Road. Enjoy the beautiful bush and mountain is somewhere special— Great Barrier Island / Aotea sunscreen, raincoat/jacket, clothing for hot, wet and cold Follow the boardwalks across the unique Kaitoke Wetlands descends to Kaiaraara Hut. Before starting the descent, a 5 views on route including Maungapiko Lookout, Kauri Tree weather, sleeping bag, drink bottle, first aid kit, food, cooking and listen out for the call of a fernbird or spotless crake, or minute side track leads to the Hirakimata/Mount Hobson Route (a small stand of impressive large kauri trees) as well rugged and remote, wild and isolated, yet just and eating utensils, torch/batteries, matches and candles. maybe spot the orchids and sundews close to the track. Enjoy summit and a 360 degree panorama. Hirakimata is the site as extensive vistas of the bays to the west. From Forest Road a 30 minute flight from Auckland. You’ll be Go wild for the weekend the hotpools but take care—they might be too hot in places. of several rare species. It is the favoured choice of the tomtit, follow the historic Tramline Track to ‘The Green’ campsite. You can expect: After a brief steep climb and descent, join Tramline Track black petrel and recently re-introduced North Island robin, and On the way, a 5 minute detour to Kauri Falls is an excellent captivated by the stunning scenery of this • to walk 25 to 30 km North, which harbours reminders of the toil of loggers and is also frequented by kākāriki and kākā. The beautiful endemic waterfall swimming opportunity. beautiful island, which lies at the eastern edge journeys of 80 years ago. Peach Tree Track soon appears Great Barrier tree daisy and tiny sundews like it here as well. • to carry a pack You can camp at ‘The Green’ campsite at of the Hauraki Gulf Marine on the left and you climb steadily through the regenerating The descent is a mix of steep paths, stairways and bridges • some steep climbs Whangaparapara or exit onto Park. forest to reach Mt Heale Hut. Given a clear evening, the before levelling out as the Kaiaraara Hut is approached. Whangaparapara Road. • many steps and stairways striking sunsets over Hauturu/Little Barrier Island make the Wooden steps closer to the summit protect the black petrel • hot sun and high UV journey all worthwhile. nesting grounds and sensitive ecosystems. Don’t miss the Alternative options The 25 km Aotea Track loops • rain and colder temperatures 2 minute side track (40 minutes from the summit) to New You may prefer to the central mountainous • slippery portions of track Day 1 (alternative): Windy Canyon to Mt Heale Hut Zealand’s best preserved kauri driving dam, built in the 1920s walk the track in area and is a manageable 3 • spectacular panoramas Time: 3–3.5 hours along with six smaller dams up stream. Logs estimated to reverse to the day circuit for reasonably contain 7 million feet of timber were slid into the dams. Once fit beginner or experienced • stunning bush, mountain and Stairway to summit. Alternative access to the Mt Heale Hut is possible from the above sequence, trampers. The track is a stream views Photo: © Andris Apse. east, via Windy Canyon and Palmers Track, accessed from loaded, the dams were tripped one after the other so a full blast ending your network of easy walking Aotea Road at the top of Whangapoua Hill. This section is hit this lower dam, propelling the logs into Kaiaraara Bay. 3 days with a New Zealand’s backcountry is renowned for its changeable tracks, steep climbs, stairways, Great Barrier tree daisy. fully bridged and is the shortest and easiest option for the first soak in the hot weather and rugged terrain. Be prepared for adverse and bridges. You will travel Photo: Bec Stanley. day. Here a steady climb takes you through the sheer rock pools. Kauri Falls. conditions. Carry food and warm, waterproof clothing, even Photo: Cliff Taylor. over a range of spectacular landscapes: streams that show faces of Windy Canyon with superb views of Okiwi Basin and on short walks. off a constant spectacle of beautiful native bush, tranquil Whangapoua estuary to the north, and Kaitoke and Medlands wetlands and the surviving forests of kauri, rimu and If you think there is a safety hazard in a conservation area, Bay to the east. On the ridge still stands the ‘wooden horse’, a Keep an eye out for black petrel kahikatea with their special plants and wildlife. Enjoy too call the DOC HOTline or the nearest DOC office. sturdy H-frame used for winching logs up and over the saddle, the superb views from much of the track as you follow the before sending them plummeting down the other side on their Once widespread on the North central ridge of the island. You’ll also be able to explore the way to the sea. The track follows the ridge, offering constantly Island, breeding colonies of rich history of Great Barrier Island (Aotea Island) with sites Tell someone before you go changing vistas in every direction, before an impressive set of these large, burrow-nesting seabirds are now confined to such as the Kaiaraara driving dam and tramline remnants. steps and stairways leads you to the summit. From here take Safety is your responsibility so remember to leave details of Aotea and Hauturu / Little Barrier your trip (return date and time, planned route, party member South Fork Track along and down to Mt Heale Hut. Island. The main colony breeds Quick facts names and vehicle license plates) with a trusted contact, and Black petrel. Photo: Halema Jamieson. here on the slopes of Mt Hobson • Aotea Track is a 2 night, 3 day walk and has alternative (Hirakimata) between October don’t forget to let them know when you return. Information entry points. on the Outdoor Intentions System can be found at and May each year. Mature birds spend months at sea flying as • There are two huts on the walk, Mt Heale and Kaiaraara, www.adventuresmart.co.nz. far as South America and only both of which need to be booked online Remember to fill in hut books during your trip, even if you return to the island to breed. at www.doc.govt.nz. do not stay in the hut. They can assist in search and rescue Watch out for them on the road • The highest point on the island is at night. operations, and may help save your life. Soaking in the Kaitoke hotsprings. Mt Heale. Hirakimata/Mt Hobson at 627 m. Kaitoke wetland. Photo: © Andris Apse. Black petrel chick. Photo: K. L. Kendrick.. Photo: Cliff Taylor. Photo: © Andris Apse. Chevron skink. Photo: Keri Neilson. View living treasures Getting there Huts and campgrounds Booking information and fees Great Barrier Island (Aotea Island) can be • Protect plants and animals Explore rich history reached by boat or plane. Two airlines, Great • Bury toilet waste when tramping Barrier Airlines and FlyMySky, link Auckland’s • Keep vehicles off beaches Two well-positioned huts allow for manageable walks of Bookings in advance are essential for all huts and domestic airport and the island’s two airfields Many of the reptiles, amphibians and birds on Aotea are now Transport operators • Keep our coast, streams and lakes clean 3 to 4 hours over the 3-day walk. Mt Heale Hut, opened in campgrounds. All prices include GST. at Claris (daily throughout the year) and Okiwi (weather rare or extinct on the mainland. They can be secretive and • Leave gates as you find them and respect any December 2010 and providing spectacular views over the Getting there dependent). Sealink offers a passenger and car ferry service require patience to spot. Keep an eye out for the following on access restrictions Hauraki Gulf and Hauturu/Little Barrier Island, sits on the www.doc.govt.nz Great Barrier Airlines three to four times a week according to season, and Fullers the walk: • Camp carefully central ridge a half–hour walk from Hirakimata /Mount Phone: 0800 900 600 (call free); 09 275 9120 (Auckland); runs a seasonal service using a high speed catamaran over Chevron skink –one of NZ’s most endangered lizards, they can • Keep to the track Hobson, the island’s high point. This 20-bed hut has excellent 09 429 0257 (Great Barrier Island). the peak summer period. Passenger bus and rental car sleeping and gas cooking facilities. grow up to 30cm long. North Island kaka – Large brown noisy Huts services are available, and entrances to the Aotea Track • Respect cultural heritage www.greatbarrierairlines.co.nz parrots are often seen flying high above the forest canopy, their Adult $15 per night; child (age 5–17) $7.50 per night; Kaiaraara Hut is near sea level on the western side of the can be accessed by road.