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Location & access
DOC track reference point, not a verified trailhead, entrance or the whole route. Check the official route directions before travel.
Official location informationLocation source
DOC track reference point, not a verified trailhead, entrance or the whole route.
Reference point: -36.27096, 174.80358. WGS84 coordinates retained at the official service's returned precision; decimal resolution is not survey accuracy. Source positional accuracy is not specified.
DOC Maps walking and tramping reference point (WGS84), exact official-page GUID / Department of Conservation. Checked 2026-10-12.
Key facts
- Distance
- 1.5 km one way return via same track
- Walking time
- 45 min to 1 hr one way
- Track grade
- Easy
- Location
- Cape Rodney-Okakari Point Marine Reserve (Goat Island)
- Dog access
- No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Checked against official sources on 8 October 2026. Rules and conditions are set by Department of Conservation — confirm with them before you go.
Route overview
This return walk traverses the coast part way to Cape Rodney. overlooking New Zealand's oldest and most popular marine reserve.
This DOC directory entry covers **Goat Island Walkway ** in Auckland, within Cape Rodney-Okakari Point Marine Reserve (Goat Island). Where DOC groups several walks, times and grades refer to the listed options rather than a single continuous itinerary.
Distance, time and grade
- Distance: 1.5 km one way return via same track
- Walking time: 45 min to 1 hr one way
- DOC grade: Easy
Access and alerts
Source checked 2026-10-08. This page is a dated snapshot, not a live track-status report. Check current DOC route information immediately before travelling. An absence of listed alerts does not establish that a route is open.
Dog access
No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Description
Goat Island Walkway with a view of Goat IslandImage: Tony and Jenny Enderby ©
This return walk traverses the coast part way to Cape Rodney overlooking New Zealand’s oldest and most popular marine reserve.
Walk up the Auckland University Marine Laboratory driveway to the start of the track. The track passes along the cliff-top beyond the marine laboratory through paddocks and fine remnants of coastal broadleaf forest.
There may be stock in the section through the farm paddocks.
In the distance you can see Hauturu or Little Barrier Island, a nature reserve now rat-free that is home to tuatara, giant weta and a huge variety of native birds.
Getting there
Access is from the Goat Island Road end, off Pākiri-Leigh Road, east of Warkworth. Park at the marine reserve carpark and walk up the driveway to the Leigh Marine Laboratory. The walk starts on the right, 50 m inside the gate.
The walkway is 83 km from downtown Auckland.
View a a map of the walkway and marine reserve.
Know before you go
Public toilets are located at the marine reserve carpark. The shower is unavailable due to water supply issues.
Sources and reuse
Route descriptions and practical information reproduced from the Department of Conservation, Crown copyright, under CC BY 4.0, subject to DOC's copyright policy. Formatting has been adapted, including flattening page sections; follow the original DOC page for maps, section-specific layout, current notices and linked documents. Outdoor Next is independent and is not endorsed by DOC.
The accompanying photograph is a licensed general hiking illustration, not a photograph of this route.
