Rangitoto Island longer walks: Walking Guide, Time & Access

Route overview

Explore Rangitoto Island Scenic Reserve on these longer walks. Walk around the coast of Rangitoto, to adjoining Motutapu Island, or continue on from the summit to Islington Bay.

This DOC directory entry covers Rangitoto Island longer walks in Auckland, within Rangitoto 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: Not confirmed on the checked DOC page; see individual route sections
• Walking time: 1 hr to 3 hr 45 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.

Lighthouse walk to McKenzie Bay

Time: 2 hr 30 min one way from Rangitoto Wharf; 3 hr 45 min one way to summit

This walk winds along the coast to McKenzie Bay, one of the two natural sand beaches on Rangitoto, and a good picnic and swimming spot. The road continues on to the summit for those who want a longer walk.

Rangitoto Wharf to summit to Islington Bay

Time: 2 hr 30 min one way

Take the Summit Track from Rangitoto Wharf and at the summit follow Summit Road down to Islington Bay. This is a wonderful route for those staying overnight or for visitors with access to a private vessel. This walk is not recommended for day-trippers on the Fuller’s ferry, as it does not allow much time to walk back to the Rangitoto Wharf ferry in time for departure.

Coastal Track from Rangitoto Wharf to Islington Bay Wharf

Time: 2 hr 30 min one way

This coastal walk passes many remnants of human activity – boatsheds and baches near Rangitoto Wharf, old quarry sites, ruins of war time storage bases for mines, and Yankee Wharf built during World War II. Islington Bay is a popular for swimming, picnicking and as a yacht anchorage.

Note: Sections of this track are over broken lava fields and the footing is rough and uneven. Good foot wear is essential.

Inland route from Rangitoto Wharf to Islington Bay Wharf

Time: 1 hr 30 min one way

This alternative route to Islington Bay passes along a road built by prisoners. The road continued over the causeway to Motutapu Island.

Islington Bay Wharf to Home Bay (Motutapu Island)

Time: 1 hr 45 min one way

From Islington Bay, cross the causeway to Motutapu Island. A walk over farmland and cliff tops leads to Home Bay, where there is a DOC campground.

Islington Bay Road to Wreck Bay

Time: 1 hr one way

The Wreck Bay Track takes a twisting route to a bay on the northern side of Rangitoto. Wreck Bay and the adjacent Boulder Bay where once used as a dumping ground for old ships. The remains of some ships can still be seen at low tide.

Be aware the time of this walk only includes the time from the road to the end of the track one way. It takes an additional 1hr 30 minutes to walk from Rangitoto Wharf via Islington Road.

Note: Sections of this track are over broken lava fields and the footing is rough and uneven. Good foot wear is essential.

Getting there

Rangitoto Island is in the Hauraki Gulf close to Auckland city.

There are two wharves – Rangitoto Wharf, serviced by public ferries; and Islington Bay Wharf, a popular anchorage for private boats. Private boats may use the wharves for loading and unloading passengers only.

You can take a public passenger ferry or charter. Ferry timetable and fares.

Staying overnight

Three historic baches are available to rent. Bach 78 and Bach 114 are located at Islington Bay and Bach 52 is located at Rangitoto Wharf. More about staying overnight.

Find authorised transport operators to this island.

Rangitoto is also accessible to experienced kayakers. It takes around two hours to kayak to Rangitoto Wharf from the Auckland's North Shore.

Know before you go

• Bring water with you. There are no supplies of drinking water on the island.

• Wear sturdy walking shoes that can cope with the rugged lava surfaces.

• Wear sunscreen and a hat. The heat reflecting off the ground can be intense.

• There are boardwalks on the summit track and the mangrove boardwalk near the Rangitoto Wharf. These are high in some places and you could fall up to 2m from them. Keep an eye on children.

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.