Historic Stony Batter, Waiheke Island
Getting to the island Waiheke walks
Waiheke is a large island in the Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand, between the Auckland mainland and the Coromandel Peninsula.
The western end of the island is a residential area with some 8000 permanent inhabitants; the eastern end is a mix of settlement and large farm blocks.
Stony Batter gun site
The Department of Conservation and Auckland Regional Council both manage park lands and public reserves on the island. Reserves managed by DOC include the Stony Batter Historic Reserve, Matietie Historic Reserve and Te Matuku Bay Cemetery and Scenic Reserves.
Waiheke Island is a taonga (treasure) with many special places. National reserves like those on Waiheke protect natural, historic and cultural heritage for all New Zealanders, and help safeguard the biodiversity of the planet.
The tangata whenua of Waiheke have a spiritual, cultural and historical relationship with their taonga.
Stony Batter, at Waiheke's eastern end, is renowned for its remarkable rock outcrops and extensive tunnels and gun sites dating back to World War II. A road and walkway crosses private farmland to reach the Stony Batter Historic Reserve (see directions below).
Stony Batter Historic Reserve
There are regular daily ferries to Waiheke Island. Shuttle services and taxis can take you to any of the walks or reserves on the island, or you can drive or mountain bike there yourself. Rental cars and bikes are available on the island.
Things to see and do
- Coastal walks
- Stony Batter rocks WW II Military sites
- Picnicking
- Coastal and island views
Stony Batter Historic Reserve and Defence Complex
Stony Batter is a 10 to 25 minute walk to the tunnels from the carpark off Man O' War Bay Road. Look for direction signs.
Allow 30 to 90 minutes to explore the fort. Bring a torch for the underground tunnels. Guided tours and information are available on site.
The Stony Batter Protection and Restoration Society was formed to restore the Stony Batter defence complex. To find out more about their work or how you can be involved, visit their museum and information centre at Stony Batter.
Opopo Bay - 1 hour, 40 mins 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.
Hooks Bay - 1 hour, 40 mins return
The track currently requires maintenance and is not recommended until further notice.
Matietie Walk - 1 hour return
The Matietie Walk is a coastal walk starting near the Matiatia Wharf, and links with other signposted public walks.
Te Matuku Bay reserves
Te Matuku Bay is the largest area of inter-tidal mudflats in the inner Hauraki Gulf, and the scenic reserve protects the coastal fringe of part of the bay, including a distinctive shell spit, mangrove forest, freshwater wetlands and taraire/tawa forest with pohutukawa and kauri (all possum free!). There are no tracks in the reserves at Te Matuku Bay.
Te Matuku was an early European settlement site, and graves of some of the early settlers are preserved in the Te Matuku Bay cemetery.
Looking after the reserves
Please:
- Do not take dogs or other animals on the Stony Batter Walkway or into the reserves. These are a threat to wildlife and farm animals.
- Do not light fires.
- Take your rubbish away with you - follow the Department's 'Pack in - Pack Out' code.
- Do not remove or disturb any artefacts or other historic remains.
- Do not camp on the reserves.
- Remember that the walkway crosses private farmland. Leave gates as you find them, follow the orange marker posts and do not disturb stock or farm operations.
Non-compliance with these conditions may result in prosecution.
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