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Introduction
At 178 million years old Motutapu is one of the oldest land masses in the Hauraki Gulf. The island has lived an exciting life – it was intensively settled by Maori, it hosted massive Victorian picnic parties, and was a base during WWll.Now, following the world's largest island pest eradication programme, it's a fine place to see native birds including the rare and beautiful tieke.
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Find things to do and places to stay Motutapu Island
The DUAL multisport event is usually held in March each year. It offers participants trail run and walk, an off-road triathlon and mountain bike options – the only time you will be able to bike on the island!
The Motutapu Outdoor Education Camp is located in Administration Bay. It offers outdoor education programmes for school groups, as well as corporate team building events, or just a place to stay for a group of family and friends.
Gardiners Gap is the best place to spot shorebirds such as the New Zealand dotterel and sometimes shore plovers and Caspian terns. The best time to see these birds is from mid-winter on, when pairs move back to their nesting sites. Nesting usually begins in September. Stay well away from birds during their nesting season and take care where you walk on the beach to avoid crushing their well camouflaged eggs.
Home Bay forest is the best place for seeing forest birds on Motutapu. Birds you might be able to spot include:
- korimako/bellbird
- tūī, kākāriki/red-crowned parakeet
- tīeke/saddleback
- popokatea/whitehead
- Coromandel brown kiwi
- spotless crake
- kōtare/kingfisher
- kererū/wood pigeon.
You may also be able to see takahē in the Home Bay area. Do not feed the takahē or other birds.
Motutapu is a popular destination for boaties. Small boats can be landed on many of the beaches around the island such as Islington Bay, Home Bay or Station Bay, and these spots also provide sheltered anchorages. Larger boats can land at the Home Bay Wharf on Motutapu or the Islington Bay Wharf on Rangitoto Island, where you can walk across the causeway to Motutapu.
You can fish off the rocks or the beach anywhere round the island’s coastline. However, fishing is discouraged in Administration Bay, adjacent to the Motutapu Outdoor Education Centre, as it is a voluntary no take fishing area.
Motutapu is accessible to experienced kayakers. It takes about three hours to kayak to Home Bay from the mainland. You can also kayak to Motutapu from the nearby islands of Motuihe or Waiheke, or as part of a tour of the islands of the Hauraki Gulf.
You can swim at one of the many beaches around the island. A popular choice is Home Bay, where you can also find the island’s only campsite, the 1901 Reid Homestead and various WWII military remains. A number of Motutapu’s walkways can also be accessed from Home Bay.
Motutapu is directly behind Rangitoto in Auckland's Hauraki Gulf and joined to it by a causeway.
Access to Motutapu is by public passenger ferry, charter boat, charter boat, private boat, or kayak.
There is a wharf at Home Bay. Rangitoto's Islington Bay Wharf is also near the island's western end.
Public passenger ferry and private charter
Ferry service is limited. The public passenger ferry operators that travel to this island only maintain a limited service.
If you are chartering a commercial vessel to the island, check the operator has a Pest-Free Warrant. Commercial vessels that use the wharf will also need a wharf landing permit.
Find authorised transport operators to this island.
Private boat
Safe anchorages for private boats include Islington Bay (Rangitoto) and Home Bay on Motutapu.
Kayak
Motutapu is accessible to very experienced kayakers. It takes approximately three hours to kayak to Home Bay from Mission Bay. Several kayak operators offer kayak rentals and guided kayak tours to Motutapu. See the Commercial Operators section.
Be prepared when visiting Motutapu Island
- There is no public transport on the island.
- There are no shops on the island. The Reid Homestead at Home Bay may open at times and has drinks and food available.
- Take care on the beaches of Motutapu. Do not to disturb nesting birds from September to March.
- Beware of wasps and sandflies.
Portable gas cookers are only permitted at Home Bay Campground, there is a total fire ban elsewhere. No bonfires or campfires permitted.
Rules for the Hauraki Gulf Maritime Park
- Fires and portable barbeques are not allowed.
- Take your rubbish with you – there are no rubbish bins.
- Some activities such as weddings need a permit.
- No camping.
These are part of the Hauraki Gulf Maritime Park by-laws. Read the full by-laws.
Motutapu Island gun emplacement closures
Gun Emplacements 1, 2 and 3, Howitzer Camp, Miniature Range, and Searchlight Emplacement 2 – Western are closed to public access due to safety issues.
All drone use must be authorised by DOC
You must have a permit to fly a drone on public conservation land.
During its varied past Motutapu has been intensively settled and cultivated by Maori, hosted Victoria picnic parties of over 10,000 people, and at times during WWII was a base for more than 1,000 military personnel.
Remnants of this varied history can still be seen including sites of kainga (villages), pa (earthwork fortifications), kumara storage pits, former gardens, and middens (food refuge deposits). You can also visit the Reid Homestead, one of the last of the early farmhouses on the island and now a Visitors Centre, and explore WWII sites.
No dogs allowed
To protect our native wildlife, dogs are not allowed anywhere in this place.
Check you are pest-free
Check, clean, and seal your gear to ensure you don't bring pests, soil, and seeds.
Contacts
| Auckland information | |
| Phone: | +64 7 867 9080 |
| Email: | kauaerangavc@doc.govt.nz |
| About: | Kauaeranga Visitor Centre provides visitor information for this area |