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•Protectplantsandanimals•Burytoiletwastewhentramping•Keepvehiclesoffbeaches•Keepourcoast,streamsandlakesclean•Leavegatesasyoufindthemandrespectanyaccessrestrictions
•Campcarefully•Keeptothetrack•Respectculturalheritage•EnjoyyourvisitandToitu te whenua/leavethelandundisturbed
Great Barrier Island (Aotea Island) is somewhere special—rugged and remote, wild and isolated, yet just a 30 minute flight from Auckland. You’ll be captivated by the stunning scenery of this beautiful island, which lies at the eastern edge of the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park.
AoteaTrack
The25kmAoteaTrackloopsthecentralmountainousareaandisamanageable3daycircuitforreasonablyfitbeginnerorexperiencedtrampers.Thetrackisanetworkofeasywalkingtracks,steepclimbs,stairways,andbridges.Youwilltraveloverarangeofspectacularlandscapes:streamsthatshowoffaconstantspectacleofbeautifulnativebush,tranquilwetlandsandthesurvivingforestsofkauri,rimuandkahikateawiththeirspecialplantsandwildlife.Enjoytoothesuperbviewsfrommuchofthetrackasyoufollowthecentralridgeoftheisland.You’llalsobeabletoexploretherichhistoryofGreatBarrierIsland(AoteaIsland)withsitessuchastheKaiaraaradrivingdamandtramlineremnants.
Quick facts• AoteaTrackisa2night,3daywalkandhasalternativeentrypoints.
• Therearetwohutsonthewalk,MtHealeandKaiaraara,bothofwhichneedtobebookedonlineatwww.doc.govt.nz.
• ThehighestpointontheislandisHirakimata/MtHobsonat627m.
Bookings in advance are essential for all huts and campgrounds.AllpricesincludeGST.
Huts Adult$15pernight;child(age5–17)$7.50pernight;child(under5)free.BookingscanalsobemadeattheVisitorsCentre,137QuayStreet,PrincessWharf,Auckland.Phone:093796476.
Campgrounds Adults$10pernight;child(age5-17)$5pernight;child(under5)free.BookingscanalsobemadeattheVisitorsCentre,137QuayStreet,PrincessWharf,Auckland.Phone:093796476.
Budget accommodation providersBackpackers Great Barrier Lodge 094290488 Whangaparapara Crossroads Backpackers 094290889 ClarisLazy Cow (The) 094290773 ClarisSunbeam Sanctuary 094290349 OkupuMedlands Beach 094290320 MedlandsBackpackersFormoreaccommodationoptionspickupaGreatBarrierIslandVisitorInformationGuideorvisitwww.thebarrier.co.nz.
AoteaTrackrequiresamoderatedegreeoffitnessandtheabilitytocarryapackcontainingasleepingbag,cookingandfoodrequirements,andwarmclothing.Thetrackissometimessteep,andisscatteredwithseverallengthystairways.Trampingbootsarerecommended.Includesunscreen,raincoat/jacket,clothingforhot,wetandcoldweather,sleepingbag,drinkbottle,firstaidkit,food,cookingandeatingutensils,torch/batteries,matchesandcandles.
You can expect: • towalk25to30km• tocarryapack• somesteepclimbs• manystepsandstairways• hotsunandhighUV• rainandcoldertemperatures• slipperyportionsoftrack• spectacularpanoramas• stunningbush,mountainandstreamviews
NewZealand’sbackcountryisrenownedforitschangeableweatherandruggedterrain.Bepreparedforadverseconditions.Carryfoodandwarm,waterproofclothing,evenonshortwalks.Ifyouthinkthereisasafetyhazardinaconservationarea,calltheDOCHOTlineorthenearestDOCoffice.
Tell someone before you goSafetyisyourresponsibilitysoremembertoleavedetailsofyourtrip(returndateandtime,plannedroute,partymembernamesandvehiclelicenseplates)withatrustedcontact,anddon’tforgettoletthemknowwhenyoureturn.InformationontheOutdoorIntentionsSystemcanbefoundatwww.adventuresmart.co.nz.Remember to fill in hut books during your trip,evenifyoudonotstayinthehut.Theycanassistinsearchandrescueoperations,andmayhelpsaveyourlife.
Twowell-positionedhutsallowformanageablewalksof3to4hoursoverthe3-daywalk.Mt Heale Hut,openedinDecember2010andprovidingspectacularviewsovertheHaurakiGulfandHauturu/LittleBarrierIsland,sitsonthecentralridgeahalf–hourwalkfromHirakimata/MountHobson,theisland’shighpoint.This20-bedhuthasexcellentsleepingandgascookingfacilities.Kaiaraara Hutisnearsealevelonthewesternsideoftheisland.Thisisa28-bedhutandisservicedbyawoodburner,notgas.Itis3kmfromageneralstore,burgerbarandInformationCentreatPortFitzroy.SixDepartmentofConservation(DOC)campgroundsarespreadthroughouttheisland.‘Akapoua’and‘TheGreen’arethenearestcampsitestotheAoteaTrackentrances,providingplacestocampthenightbeforeorafterwalkingthetrack.Theotherfourcampgroundsarefurtherfromthetrackandrequiretransport,oralongroadwalk,tothetrackstartingpoint.(ViewDOC’swebsitewww.doc.govt.nzformorecampgrounddetails).
Itisessentialtobookhutsandcampsitesinadvance,seeBooking information and fees.
Day 2: Mt Heale Hut to Kaiaraara HutTime: 3 hoursBeginfromMtHealeHutwithasteep40-minuteclimboftrackandstairwaystoajunctionwithKaiaraaraTrack,whichdescendstoKaiaraaraHut.Beforestartingthedescent,a5minutesidetrackleadstotheHirakimata/MountHobsonsummitanda360degreepanorama.Hirakimataisthesiteofseveralrarespecies.Itisthefavouredchoiceofthetomtit,blackpetrelandrecentlyre-introducedNorthIslandrobin,andisalsofrequentedbykākārikiandkākā.ThebeautifulendemicGreatBarriertreedaisyandtinysundewslikeithereaswell.Thedescentisamixofsteeppaths,stairwaysandbridgesbeforelevellingoutastheKaiaraaraHutisapproached.Woodenstepsclosertothesummitprotecttheblackpetrelnestinggroundsandsensitiveecosystems.Don’tmissthe2minutesidetrack(40minutesfromthesummit)toNewZealand’sbestpreservedkauridrivingdam,builtinthe1920salongwithsixsmallerdamsupstream.Logsestimatedtocontain7millionfeetoftimberwereslidintothedams.Onceloaded,thedamsweretrippedoneaftertheothersoafullblasthitthislowerdam,propellingthelogsintoKaiaraaraBay.
Manyofthereptiles,amphibiansandbirdsonAoteaarenowrareorextinctonthemainland.Theycanbesecretiveandrequirepatiencetospot.Keepaneyeoutforthefollowingonthewalk:Chevronskink–oneofNZ’smostendangeredlizards,theycangrowupto30cmlong.NorthIslandkaka–Largebrownnoisyparrotsareoftenseenflyinghighabovetheforestcanopy,theirraucouscallispartoftheisland’satmosphere.BandedRail–oftenmistakenforbabyweka,bandedrailsareacommonsite.BlackPetrel,NorthIslandRobinandtomtitalsoinhabittheslopesofthehighestpointHirakimata.ThenativeforestonAoteaisregeneratingafterahistoryoflandclearanceandkaurilogging.ImpressiveKauritreescanbeseenjustashortwalkfromtheForestRdsectionofthetrack.Threeplantspeciesfoundonlyontheislandarefoundalongthetrack;theGreatBarriertreedaisy,prostratekānuka,andasubspeciesofhebe.Maorioralhistoryspeaksofearlyoccupation,ofNgatiWaianditschiefRehuasettlingonAotea(GreatBarrierIsland)andclaimingmanawhenuaoverthelandinthelate1700’s.Beingancestralland,theentireislandissacredtoMaori.AtitscentrestandsHirakimata,MtHobson,themaungatapu(sacredmountain)ofNgatiRehua.ThekauriforestsofAoteawereloggedwithincreasingintensitybetweenthe1880’sandearly1930’s.MuchoftheAoteatrackfollowsoldkauriloggingandmillingtramwayroutes.Afewareasoforiginalkauriforestsurvived,oneareabeingthesummitandsurroundsofHirakimata.Muchoftheforestisnowregenerating.
Transport operatorsGetting thereGreat Barrier AirlinesPhone:0800900600(callfree);092759120(Auckland);094290257(GreatBarrierIsland).www.greatbarrierairlines.co.nz
FlyMySky AirlinePhone:0800222123(callfree);092567025(Auckland).www.flymysky.co.nz
SealinkPhone:093005900(Auckland).www.sealink.co.nz
FullersPhone:093679111(Auckland).www.fullers.co.nz
Transport on the islandAotea Car Rentals 094290474or0800426832
Go Great Barrier Island 094290222or0800997222
GBI Shuttle & Transfer Service + GBI Rent-a-Car 094290062or0274923641
Great Barrier Buses (shuttle/transfer service) 094290474or0800426832
Medlands Rentals 094290861
Mike Newman (based at Port FitzRoy) 021876296or094290052
Tryphena Shuttles 0272822733
Aotea Track description
View living treasures
Explore rich history
What to expect
Huts and campgrounds Booking information and fees
www.doc.govt.nz
KTC Tramway. Photo: Jim Petrie, NZ Herald.
Chevron skink. Photo: Keri Neilson.
Once widespread on the North Island, breeding colonies of these large, burrow-nesting seabirds are now confined to Aotea and Hauturu / Little Barrier Island. The main colony breeds here on the slopes of Mt Hobson (Hirakimata) between October and May each year. Mature birds spend months at sea flying as far as South America and only return to the island to breed. Watch out for them on the road at night.
Keep an eye out for black petrel
Black petrel. Photo: Halema Jamieson.
Black petrel chick. Photo: K. L. Kendrick..
Great Barrier tree daisy. Photo: Bec Stanley.
Photo: Eugene Polkan.Sun orchid. Photo: Halema Jamieson.
Publishedby:
PublishingTeam,DepartmentofConservationPOBox10420,TheTerraceWellington6143,NEWZEALANDFebruary 2012
Further informationGreat Barrier Island DOC Field CentrePortFitzRoyMailCentre,FitzroyGreatBarrierIslandPh:094290044
DOC Warkworth/Great Barrier Island Area OfficePOBox474,Warkworth0941Email:warkworth@doc.govt.nzPh:094257812
Aotea Track
Go wild for the weekend
Great Barrier Island / Aotea
Kauri trees are under threat from kauri dieback disease (known as PTA). Please help protect kauri by always sticking to defined tracks, and keeping off kauri tree roots. Footwear, tyres and any equipment that comes into contact with soil before and after leaving areas of kauri forest needs to be cleaned.
See www.kauridieback.co.nz or call 0800 NZ KAURI for more information.
Kauri dieback disease
Banded rail. Photo: © Andris Apse
Soaking in the Kaitoke hotsprings. Photo: Cliff Taylor.Kaitoke wetland. Photo: © Andris Apse.
Day 1: Hot Springs to Mt Heale HutTime: 3–3.5 hoursStartingfromWhangaparaparaRoad,theKaitokeSpringsTrackbeginsflatandeasy,followinganancientshoreline.FollowtheboardwalksacrosstheuniqueKaitokeWetlandsandlistenoutforthecallofafernbirdorspotlesscrake,ormaybespottheorchidsandsundewsclosetothetrack.Enjoythehotpoolsbuttakecare—theymightbetoohotinplaces.Afterabriefsteepclimbanddescent,joinTramlineTrackNorth,whichharboursremindersofthetoilofloggersandjourneysof80yearsago.PeachTreeTracksoonappearsontheleftandyouclimbsteadilythroughtheregeneratingforesttoreachMtHealeHut.Givenaclearevening,thestrikingsunsetsoverHauturu/LittleBarrierIslandmakethejourneyallworthwhile.
Day 1 (alternative): Windy Canyon to Mt Heale HutTime: 3–3.5 hoursAlternativeaccesstotheMtHealeHutispossiblefromtheeast,viaWindyCanyonandPalmersTrack,accessedfromAoteaRoadatthetopofWhangapouaHill.Thissectionisfullybridgedandistheshortestandeasiestoptionforthefirstday.HereasteadyclimbtakesyouthroughthesheerrockfacesofWindyCanyonwithsuperbviewsofOkiwiBasinandWhangapouaestuarytothenorth,andKaitokeandMedlandsBaytotheeast.Ontheridgestillstandsthe‘woodenhorse’,asturdyH-frameusedforwinchinglogsupandoverthesaddle,beforesendingthemplummetingdowntheothersideontheirwaytothesea.Thetrackfollowstheridge,offeringconstantlychangingvistasineverydirection,beforeanimpressivesetofstepsandstairwaysleadsyoutothesummit.FromheretakeSouthForkTrackalonganddowntoMtHealeHut.
Day 3: Kaiaraara Hut to Whangaparapara RdTime: 4 hoursThelastdayisaneasygraderoutewithnomajorclimbsfollowingForestRoad.EnjoythebeautifulbushandmountainviewsonrouteincludingMaungapikoLookout,KauriTreeRoute(asmallstandofimpressivelargekauritrees)aswellasextensivevistasofthebaystothewest.FromForestRoadfollowthehistoricTramlineTrackto‘TheGreen’campsite.Ontheway,a5minutedetourtoKauriFallsisanexcellentwaterfallswimmingopportunity.Youcancampat‘TheGreen’campsiteatWhangaparaparaorexitontoWhangaparaparaRoad.
Alternative optionsYoumayprefertowalkthetrackinreversetotheabovesequence,endingyour3dayswithasoakinthehotpools. Kauri Falls.
Photo: Cliff Taylor.
Stairway to summit. Photo: © Andris Apse.
Getting thereGreatBarrierIsland(AoteaIsland)canbereachedbyboatorplane.Twoairlines,GreatBarrierAirlinesandFlyMySky,linkAuckland’sdomesticairportandtheisland’stwoairfields
atClaris(dailythroughouttheyear)andOkiwi(weatherdependent).Sealinkoffersapassengerandcarferryservicethreetofourtimesaweekaccordingtoseason,andFullersrunsaseasonalserviceusingahighspeedcatamaranoverthepeaksummerperiod.Passengerbusandrentalcarservicesareavailable,andentrancestotheAoteaTrackcanbeaccessedbyroad.(SeeTransport operatorsintheBooking information and fees section).
Kaiaraara swing bridge. Photo: © Andris Apse.Mt Heale hut.
Photo: © Andris Apse.
Mt Heale.
Photo: © Andris Apse.
Looking out to Little Barrier Island. Photo: © Andris Apse.
Kauri Dam.Photo: © Andris Apse.
Kaiaraara Hut.Photo: © Andris Apse.
Maungapiko Lookout.Photo: © Andris Apse.
Kauri tree off Forest Road. Photo: © Andris Apse.
Whangapoua view.Photo: © Andris Apse.
Windy Canyon.Photo: © Andris Apse.
The Green Campsite.Photo: © Andris Apse.
View of Whangapoua from Hirakimata. Photo: © Andris Apse.
Hot Springs
Remains ofKauri dam
Te AhumataTrack
Forest Road
Kaiaraara Trackto Mt Hobson
Kaiaraara Track
to Kauri Dam
Forest Road
Akapoua
DOC Office
ToClaris
WindyCanyonLookout
Car park
Bush's BeachPicnic Area
Sout
h Fo
rkTr
ack
South Fork
Track
Forest Rd
AOTEA RO
AD
Campsite
Forest Road
Kiwiriki Track
Tram
line
Trac
kNo
rth
Forest Road
Bush's
Beach
Track
BridleTrack
WarrensCreek Track
Tramline Track North
Mt Heale Hut
KaiaraaraHut
The GreenCampsite
Auckland Conservancy (ndingle), 12/06/2012
0 0.45 0.9 Km
This map is intended as a guide only.Those going tramping are advised touse the appropriate topographical map. Not to be used for navigation.Copyright DOC.
Aotea Track
Picnic site
Legend
DOC Camp site
DOC Hut
DOC Office
Mountain bikes (caution)
Parking areaAotea_Track
Other_Tracks
Road
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