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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: -36.21666, 175.41052. 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
- 8 km one way
- Walking time
- 6 hr
- Track grade
- Advanced
- Location
- Great Barrier Island/Aotea
- 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
The Tramline Track system traverses most of Great Barrier island at its widest point.
This DOC directory entry covers Tramline Track in Auckland, within Great Barrier Island/Aotea. Where DOC groups several walks, times and grades refer to the listed options rather than a single continuous itinerary.
Distance, time and grade
- Distance: 8 km one way
- Walking time: 6 hr
- 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
The Tramline Track receives minimal upkeep - for fit trampers only.
From its northeastern beginning on Aotea Road, the track follows the old tramline used by the Kauri Timber Company during the 1920s and 1930s. It is sometimes very steep and was a remarkable engineering feat of its time.
It descends abruptly to Awana Stream and Waterfall before climbing steeply to a plateau and then dropping to Kaitoke Stream. The track crosses several creeks, crossing Forest Road and linking with the Whangaparapara tramline extension.
Shorter option
From the Whangaparapara end, the track progresses over several bridges before joining Forest Road (1 hour). The Pack Track is permanently closed.
Getting there
Start the track from Aotea Road or Whangaparapara Road.
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.
