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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: -36.74679, 174.91724. 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
- 1.1 km to 6.6 km one way
- Walking time
- 35 min to 3 hr 30 min
- Track grade
- Easy
- Location
- Motutapu 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
An interesting walk viewing young and mature pōhutukawa and exploring WWII gun emplacements and tunnels.
This DOC directory entry covers Pōhutukawa Track in Auckland, within Motutapu 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: 1.1 km to 6.6 km one way
- Walking time: 35 min to 3 hr 30 min
- 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
Track times are indicative only. Ensure you have plenty of time to complete your walk and catch the ferry.
You can walk part of the track or all of the sections.
Northern Junction to Billy Goat Point
Time: 1 hr 20 min one wayDistance: 3.3 km
Northern Junction to Sandy Bay
Time: 35 min one wayDistance: 1.1 km
Sandy Bay to Billy Goat Point
Time: 45 min one wayDistance: 2.2 km
The track passes the three WWII gun emplacements which were once home to the six-inch gun battery. Take a torch and explore the tunnels.
The track dips down close to Sandy Bay before climbing along the ridge to Billy Goat Point. Both young and mature pohutukawa can be seen.
Know before you go
Be aware roads around the island are used by farm machinery and vehicles.
Bring water with you - drinking water is not readily available on the island.
Bring a sunhat and sunscreen.
A torch is essential if you want to explore the tunnels and military sites.
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.
