Stony Batter Historic Reserve walks: Walking Guide, Time & Access

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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 information

Location source

DOC track reference point, not a verified trailhead, entrance or the whole route.

Reference point: -36.76401, 175.17383. 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: Not confirmed on the checked DOC page; see individual route sections
Walking time: Not specified in the checked DOC directory
Track grade: Advanced
Location: Stony Batter Historic Reserve / Waiheke 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

There are short walks starting from the Stony Batter Historic Reserve.

This DOC directory entry covers Stony Batter Historic Reserve walks in Auckland, within Stony Batter Historic Reserve / Waiheke 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: Not specified in the checked DOC directory
DOC grade: Advanced

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

Car park to Stony Batter Historic Reserve

Time: 10-25 min

This is a 10 to 25 minute walk to the tunnels from the carpark off Man O' War Bay Road. Look for direction signs at the carpark.

Stony Batter Historic Reserve to Opopo Bay

Time: 1 hr 40 min return

Look for the sign on the right hand side of the road opposite the turn off to the main tunnel complex. Follow the wooden marker posts through the rock outcrops.

The track descends through farmland and native bush to a gravel beach. The track may be overgrown in some areas and extra care is required when following the markers.

These walks are part of the Te Ara Hura collection of tracks

Getting there

Stony Batter Historic Reserve is at the eastern end of Waiheke Island, about 40 minutes drive from Matiatia Wharf.

This area is not serviced by public transport.

From Onetangi, head up the hill on Waiheke Road. After a couple of kilometres, turn left into Man O’War Bay Road. Follow this road through farmland then turn left into Stony Batter Road. There is a parking area adjacent to a walkway that crosses private farmland to reach the Stony Batter Historic Reserve.

Know before you go

Expect track damage

Opopo Bay Tracks are open but require caution due to storm damage. Hooks Bay and Stony Batter Historic Reserve and tunnels are open.

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.