Cape Brett Overnight Hike

  • 9 - 10 Hours / 20.5km (full hike)
  • 5 Hours / 8km (half hike)
  • Opt.1 = Oke Bay Scenic Reserve > Cape Brett Lighthouse (7-8 hours)
  • Opt.2 = Deep Water Cove > Cape Brett Lighthouse (5 hours)
  • Overnight Stay in the Cape Brett DOC HUT
  • Cape Brett Lighthouse > Deep Water Cove (2 hours)
  • Water Taxi: Deep Water Cove Back to Oke Bay (30 mins)
  • Good-High level of fitness required
Book Taxi
Book Hut
  • Option 1. Begin at the Oke Bay Scenic Reserve, hiking the first 16km to the Cape Brett Lighthouse (7-8 hours)

  • Option 2. Water Taxi from Oke Bay Scenic Reserve to Deep Water Cove. From there, begin the 4km hike to the Cape Brett Lighthouse (2 Hours)

  • Spend the Night at the Lighthouse in the DOC Hut on the edge of the peninsular.

  • Hike from the Cape Brett Lighthouse back to Deep Water Cove (2 Hours)

  • Water taxi from Deep Water Cove, taking a scenic cruise back along the coastline to the start of the track (25-30mins)

For the full day hike, you will also need to purchase a Hiking Permit. These can be purchased through the Department of Conservation Website.

Other hiking options:

Half Day Hike
Full Day Hike

Hiking the Cape Brett Track & Staying overnight.

There are a couple of options for hiking the Cape Brett Track and staying overnight in the DOC Hut on the end of the peninsular.

Option 1. Starting at the Oke Bay Scenic Reserve in Rawhiti.

Drive yourself out to Rawhiti, and park your car at one of the private properties that offer overnight parking for a small donation, and walk 10 minutes to the start of the track.

The hike begins at the Oke Bay Scenic Reserve Sign (147 Rawhiti Road) The first section of the hike takes you along the peninsula, through native and regenerated bush, accompanied with amazing scenic views (5.5 Hours)

At the Deep Water Cove Junction Sign, continue towards Cape Brett until you arrive at the Cape Brett Lighthouse and DOC Hut (2 hours)

The following morning, walk back to Deep Water Cove for your Water Taxi pickup and enjoy the scenic cruise back along the coastline to Rawhiti (30 mins)

Option 2. Starting at Deep Water Cove

The Water Taxi will pick you up from the start of the walking track (147 Rawhiti Road) and transfer you out to Deep Water Cove (30 mins)

From Deep Water Cove, you will hike the 2 hour track out to the Cape Brett Lighthouse and DOC Hut to spend the night on the end of the Cape Brett Peninsula.

The following morning, walk back to Deep Water Cove for your Water Taxi pickup and enjoy the scenic cruise back along the coastline to Rawhiti (30 mins)

For the full day hike, you will also need to purchase a Hiking Permit. These can be purchased through the Department of Conservation Website.

Water Taxi Bookings

Frequently Asked Questions

The Cape Brett Track is located in the Bay of Islands, and starts at the Oke Bay Scenic Reserve in the small town of Rawhiti

To/From Oke Bay (Rawhiti) to The Cape Brett Lighthouse takes approximately
7-8 hours (16.5km) one way

To/From Deep Water Cove to The Cape Brett Lighthouse takes approximately 2 hours (4km) one way

The Cape Brett Track requires a good-high level of fitness

Unsecured parking can be found on the side of the road at the start of the track

Secured parking can be found at “Julies place” for a small fee

The HALF DAY hike from Deep Water Cove to the Cape Brett Lighthouse does not require a permit, as you are walking over DOC land.

The Full Day Hike from Oke Bay requires a pre-purchased permit ($40) from Department of Conservation

The Cape Brett Water Taxi is $50pp one way

We can pickup from Paihia/Russell, Rawhiti (start of the track) and Deep Water Cove.

What to Take:

  • Plenty of Drinking Water
  • Good Walking Shoes/Hiking boots
  • First Aid Kit
  • Communication Device – there is patchy mobile reception along most of the track

Safety Considerations:

  • a good level of fitness is advised for the Cape Brett Hike​
  • be self sufficient and carry a first aid kit
  • take extreme caution as there are many bluffs and steep cliffs
  • remain on the track at all times
  • allow at least 10 hours of daylight for the Full Day Cape Brett Hike
  • wear tramping/hiking boots, especially if the track is wet
  • take plenty of water to drink during the tramp
  • bring a water treatment system if you are staying at the Cape Brett hut