Rangitoto Island shorter walks: Walking Guide, Time & Access

Route overview

Take a short walk around Rangitoto Island Scenic Reserve. Stroll through a kowahi grove or glen of kidney ferns, or walk along the coast to a gull breeding colony.

This DOC directory entry covers Rangitoto Island shorter 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: Under 1 hr return
• 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.

Kowhai Grove

Time: 45 min return

This short walk leads to a small kowhai grove, especially attractive in spring when the trees are flowering.

Kidney Fern Glen

Time: 45 min return

A track branching off the Summit Track leads through a glen of delicate, translucent kidney ferns, at their best after rain.

Flax Point and historic baches

Time: 1 hr return

A coastal walk to a black back gull breeding colony on Flax Point. The first section of track passes by some of the remaining historic baches on the island.

Getting there

All these short walks originate from Rangitoto Wharf.

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.

• Sturdy walking shoes or boots are essential to cope with the island's rugged lava surfaces.

• Bring a sunhat and sunscreen - heat rays reflecting off the lava can be intense.

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.