Walk 15 – Rakaumangamanga – Cape Brett Overnight Walk

Walk 15 – Rakaumangmanga – Cape Brett Lighthouse overnight walk
Assemble HQ 8.00 am Friday 13th, return Saturday Russell 12.30pm

This must be one of the best hikes in New Zealand – a must do! A difficult but totally rewarding walk… enjoy outstanding views of the outer Bay of Islands, north to the Cavalli Islands and south to Whangaruru and beyond to the Poor Knights Islands, while taking in the peace and tranquillity that only isolation can provide.
Cape Brett the Guiding light: The light at the end of Cape Brett/Rakaumangamanga has guided and protected visitors to New Zealand for hundreds of years. The light reflecting off the crystalline rocks once helped guide the earliest waka to a safe landfall in this new homeland. For the last 100 years the Cape Brett lighthouse has lit and protected the coast for all seafarers.

Starting our day with a boat ride through the Bay of islands to Maunganui Bay (Deep Water Cove). Walkers begin with a climb from the once established fishing village known as Deep Water Cove, up through forest under restoration and intense pest control - responsible for the regrowth of plant species, presence of fantail, wood pigeon, pied tit and tui. Search for native orchids along the track edges, pass over an extensive pā with terracing and kumara pits concealed under the canopy.

The walk is very hard with great rewards, gasping for breath from both exertion and extreme views. Upon reaching the iconic lighthouse above Motukōkako or Piercy Island, the home of the Hole in the Rock, you can see the DOC hut you stay in.

The house has bunk rooms, the kitchen has cooking facilities and is fitted out with long wooden tables - the perfect spot to swap tramping stories. Down at the hut you can unburden your back, empty your pack, make up your bunk, and enjoy whatever refreshments you may have carried out with you while taking in the peace and tranquillity that only isolation can provide. Dinner is a shared meal.
The following morning after an adequate breakfast, a slightly lighter pack and time on your side, trek back over familiar territory with new views back to Maunganui Bay, for morning tea and a boat trip back to Russell.
You will need to bring; lunch for first day and water, sleeping bag, pillowcase, plate, bowl, cup, knife, fork, spoon, tramping boots, wet weather gear, any refreshments and of course a sense of humour!
This walk is HARD, you need a good level of fitness and be able to carry an overnight backpack.

Friday 13th October to Saturday 14th October
Assemble HQ: 8.00am
Depart: Russell Wharf 9.00am, arrive Deep Water Cove 10.30
Saturday 16th,
Depart: Deep Water Cove 11.30am, arrive back in Russell 12.30pm
Duration: 28 hours – walking time 3 hours each way
Distance: 6km each way
Maximum walkers: 20
Category: not suitable for children, but we have had some older teenagers who are fine so please contact us first
Cost: $250 - includes dinner, breakfast, morning tea (2nd Day), accommodation, guides and water taxis

Notes:
1. Please check what is included and the time and length of your walk so you know what you need to bring in terms of food and water. It’s always a good idea to have a card or cash on you as you never know what you might encounter along the way.
2. The Russell Bowling Club is our Walking Weekend HQ, all walks start from there.

Our guides are all passionate and knowledgeable about the Bay of Islands area and bring something special to the walking experience. Our HQ is the Russell Bowling Club where people can meet, chat about their day and have something to eat and drink. We are very excited about this weekend and the great walking experiences there are here in the Bay of Islands. Time to get your walking boots out of the cupboard and join us in the Bay of Islands.