National park · New Zealand
Cape Brett
Do the Cape Brett Track (16.3 km (10 mi), ~8 h) for a full‑day hike (NZD 30–40 for hut booking) or take a water‑taxi to the lighthouse and walk a short trail (≈NZD 45 total); go Oct–May for milder weather and fewer visitors.Do the Cape Brett Track (10 mi (16.3 km), ~8 h) for a full‑day hike (NZD 30–40 for hut booking) or take a water‑taxi to the lighthouse and walk a short trail (≈NZD 45 total); go Oct–May for milder weather and fewer visitors.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²)
approximate
Established
1909
Best months
Mar–May
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 10
- Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
- Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
- Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
- New Zealand ↗Visa-waiver visitors need an NZeTA (with the tourism levy) before travel, including many transit passengers; others need a visa. Apply only through Immigration New Zealand or its official app, and check the rules for your passport.
- New Zealand ↗Declare all food, plant and animal products, and used outdoor gear such as hiking boots and tents, on the New Zealand Traveller Declaration; undeclared risk items bring instant fines.
- New Zealand ↗Drive on the left; give way as signed at one-lane bridges; an English-language licence or one with an approved translation or International Driving Permit is required.
- New Zealand ↗Freedom camping is restricted: sleep in a vehicle only where signed as allowed, and in many places only in certified self-contained vehicles.
- Bay of Islands ↗Paihia–Russell passenger ferry runs roughly every 20–30 minutes in daylight; buy on board or at the wharf.
- Bay of Islands ↗Kauri dieback: clean and disinfect footwear at track stations and stay on the track in Puketi Forest.
- Bay of Islands ↗State Highway 1 north from Auckland is two lanes with one-lane bridges; allow 3–3.5 hours to Paihia, not 2.
At a glance
- Country
- New Zealand
- Area
- 1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²)
- Small protected area around the lighthouse and track (approximate).
- Established
- 1909
- Best months
- Mar–May
- Permits
- For some areas
Cape Brett offers a short coastal walk to a historic lighthouse and a challenging 16.3 km track through native forest; the DOC‑run hut provides basic overnight stay, while water‑taxi access lets you skip the trek for a quick visit.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national siteManaged by the Department of Conservation (DOC).
Size and age
1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²) · national park since 1909
Small protected area around the lighthouse and track (approximate).
Why go
- Walk the 16.3 km (10 mi) Cape Brett Track for coastal views and native bush.Walk the 10 mi (16.3 km) Cape Brett Track for coastal views and native bush.
- Visit the historic 1909 Cape Brett Lighthouse.
- Stay in the former keeper’s cottage‑hut with 23 bunks.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepGo
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanMild summer, occasional heat.
- FebWarm, good conditions.
- MarSpring, clear skies.
- AprCool, low rain.
- MayEarly autumn, pleasant.
- JunCool, occasional rain.
- JulWinter, higher rain risk.
- AugWinter, cooler.
- SepSpring warming.
- OctSpring, good weather.
- NovLate spring, warm.
- DecSummer start, busy.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seabirds (gannets, shearwaters)Oct–May | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Marine life (dolphins, occasional whales)Nov–Apr | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Paihia
Water taxi to Deep Water Cove or drive to Oke Bay (Rawhiti) and start the track.
30 min by water taxi; 1 h drive to Oke Bay
Open the page →
From Russell
Water taxi to Cape Brett (if sea calm) or drive 26 km (16 mi) to Oke Bay.Water taxi to Cape Brett (if sea calm) or drive 16 mi (26 km) to Oke Bay.
≈45 min by water taxi; 30 min drive
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Oke Bay trailhead | Parking, information board, start of Cape Brett Track. | Free, open year‑round. |
| Cape Brett Hut area | Former lighthouse keeper’s cottage, bunks, kitchen, toilets. | Booking required. |
| Cape Brett Lighthouse | Historic 1909 lighthouse, viewpoint. | Public, reachable via short walk from hut. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates from DOC listings; lighthouse and hut precise, trailhead approximate.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Brett Hut booking (DOC) | NZD 30–40 (≈ US$18–25) | person | Online booking required; includes use of kitchen and toilets. |
| Water taxi from Oke Bay to Deep Water Cove | NZD 45 (≈ US$30) | person | One‑way, depends on sea conditions. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Hut reservation permit or guide
Track access no permit
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- NZ$30–40≈ US$18–25
- NZ$45≈ US$30
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Department of Conservation – Cape Brett Hut before you go.
Park rules
- Camping
- Not allowed; fire risk.
- Pets
- Dogs not permitted on the track.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited; use portable stoves only.
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish.
Where to stay
In the park
Cape Brett Hut
Bunk accommodation, shared kitchen and toilets.
Near the park
Rawhiti / Oke Bay area
Limited parking; no overnight facilities.
Safety
Steep cliffs and exposed sections medium
Weather change medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Trailhead reachable by car with short walk.
- Track is steep and uneven; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Book the hut through DOC to support park maintenance.
- Stay on marked paths to protect native vegetation.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Cape Brett?
Entry is free; you pay NZD 30–40 for a hut booking and NZD 45 for a water‑taxi ride if you choose the short walk.
What are the best hikes in Cape Brett?
The Cape Brett Track (16.3 km, ~8 h) is the main hike; a short 1 km walk from the hut to the lighthouse is also popular.
When is the best time to visit Cape Brett?
October to May offers mild weather and fewer crowds; summer (Dec–Feb) can be busy, winter (Jun–Aug) may bring rain.
Can I camp on Cape Brett?
No; camping is prohibited due to fire risk. Stay in the hut or nearby accommodation.
Do I need a permit for the track?
No permit is required, but a hut reservation is strongly recommended.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Cape Brett
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