Goat Island Walkway
Track category
Walking track
Time:
45 min to 1 hr one way
Distance:
1.5 km one way
Description
Goat Island walkway
This return walk traverses the coast part way to Cape Rodney overlooking New Zealand's oldest and most popular marine reserve.
Walk up the Auckland University Marine Laboratory driveway to the start of the track. The track passes along the cliff-top beyond the marine laboratory through paddocks and fine remnants of coastal broadleaf forest.
The section through the farm paddocks can be muddy and there may be stock.
In the distance you can see Hauturu or Little Barrier Island, a nature reserve now rat-free that is home to tuatara, giant weta and a huge variety of native birds.
Getting there
From the Goat Island Road end, off Pakiri-Leigh Road, east of Warkworth. Park at the marine reserve carpark and walk up the driveway to the Leigh Marine Laboratory, where the walk starts on the right, 50 metres inside the gate.
Activities
Diving and snorkelling
Guided activities
Go snorkelling or for a ride in the Glass Bottom Boat to check out the abundant sea life.
Plan and prepare
Dogs are not permitted on the tracks because of the threat they pose to stock and wildlife. Exceptions include certified guide dogs and permitted hunting dogs.