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Whangaparapara: Tramline and Withey Tracks: Walking Guide, Time & Access

A walker seen from behind carrying a grey and orange backpack, with hills in the background.

Illustrative photograph. General backpacking illustration; location unverified. This is not a photograph of the named route or evidence of its terrain, condition or difficulty.

Photo: Cody Black / Unsplash License / Details

Combine these tracks with Forest Road for a circuit walk from Whangaparapara.

Last checked 8 October 2026 · Department of Conservation

By Outdoor Next Editorial standards

On this page

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: -36.22903, 175.39383. 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
Various: 1 - 6 hr one way
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

Combine these tracks with Forest Road for a circuit walk from Whangaparapara.

This DOC directory entry covers Whangaparapara: Tramline and Withey Tracks 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: Not confirmed on the checked DOC page; see individual route sections
  • Walking time: Various: 1 - 6 hr one way
  • 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

Tramline Track

Time: 6 hr one way

The Tramline Track, which extends about 8 km from Whangaparapara to Aotea Road, traverses most of the island at its widest point. The Whangaparapara end of the track progresses over several bridges up to Forest Road (1 hour).

Withey's Track

Time: 1 hr 30 min one way

The track is named after Bill Withey, a steam hauler operator for the Kauri Timber Company. Withey’s Track links to Forest Road, Tramline Track forming a round hike from Whangaparapara. Branching off Tramline Track, it climbs steadily before dropping to Wairahi Stream, crossing three times (no bridges) before linking with Forest Road. Beautiful bush and stream views.

The Pack Track is permanently closed.

Getting there

Start on the Tramline Track on 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.

Sources & official links

  1. 1.Whangaparapara: Tramline and Withey Tracks: official route information— Department of Conservation
  2. 2.DOC walking and tramping directory— Department of Conservation

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