Key information
Sitting adjacent to Rangitoto Island, Motutapu Island is one of the oldest land masses in the Hauraki Gulf at approximately 178 million years old. The island has an exciting history and, in the past, has been settled by Māori, hosted large Victorian picnic parties and was used as a base during WWII.
Today Motutapu Island is the perfect place to visit to see native bird and plant life and is home to many beautiful walking tracks.
Tour price
The Motutapu Island walks are free, pricing is for a return ferry ticket.
Adult return $58
Child return $26
Child is 5-15 years inclusive.
Infant return $0
Under 5s travel for free.
Family return $119
Family consists of two adults and two children.
Walks information
- Pohutukawa Track: Make this walk as easy or as hard as you’d like with 35-minute to 4.5-hour options. Home to both young and mature pohutukawa tree, as well as three WWII gun emplacements.
- Motutapu Loop Track: Make the day of it with this 4.5-hour loop track, passing through Northern Junction, the gun emplacements, Sandy Bay, Administration Bay and Causeway.
- Rotary Centennial Walkway: This 2km track ascends through an area of native bush planted by volunteers in 1994. The walk finishes neat the WWII military sites and will take about 40-minutes.
- Wetland Track: This track can be split into two sections, Northern Junction to Billy Goat Point and Northern Junction to Waikarapupu. The track passes through WWII telegraph and observation post sites, with a short detour taking you to the gun emplacements.
- The walk to Motutapu is long, so sturdy walking shoes are recommended.
- There is no drinking water along the route, so plenty of water and snacks are recommended.
- In summer months don’t forget swimwear and a towel so you can take a dip in a bay if you get hot.
- There are no bins on the island, so it is recommended to bring to store your rubbish in to take home with you.
Rangitoto Island is a pest-free wildlife sanctuary which means there are important biosecurity requirements in place.
We’re proud to support the Department of Conservation (DoC) and Auckland Council’s Treasure Island initiative. Our vessels undergo strict inspections, so we are licensed to visit conservation islands and hold a ‘pest-free warrant’ that recognises our commitment to biosecurity standards.
Be sure to check our biosecurity checklists and guidelines before you visit a pest-free island.
Terms and conditions
All experiences and tours are subject to Fullers360 terms and conditions and code of conduct.
