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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: -36.74175, 174.92265. 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
- 3.3 km one way
- Walking time
- 1 hr 10 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
Walk the Wetland Track and explore WWII sites.
This DOC directory entry covers Wetland 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: 3.3 km one way
- Walking time: 1 hr 10 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
The track can be split into two sections.
Northern Junction to Billy Goat Point
Time: 1 hr 10 min one wayDistance: 3.3 km
Northern Junction to Waikarapupu
Time: 50 min one wayDistance: 2.1 km
The Wetland Track passes through WWII telegraph and observation post sites. A short detour will take you to gun emplacements. The track crosses farmland to Billy Goat Point, passing the Waikarapupu wetland.
Billy Goat Point provides a great outlook to the north, and has another military site. Mullet, Station, Waikarapupu and Sandy Bays can be accessed from this track.
Know before you go
Bring water with you - drinking water is not readily available on the island.
A torch is essential if you want to explore the tunnels and military sites.
Bring a sunhat and sunscreen.
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.
