New Zealand Walks: Walk to Cape Brett -a spectacular must do walk!
- a spectacular must do walk!
The walk to Cape Brett in the Bay of Islands, is up there amongst one of the best hikes in New Zealand. A fairly difficult and totally rewarding expedition and one that is a “must do” on many of the locals annual walking calendar.
This is a one way 5km day walk enabling people to experience the spectacular Cape Brett without walking 16km from the start of the trail.
Departing Russell at the break of dawn, a water taxi is taken out into the stunning Bay of Islands – the average tourist does not get to see the Bay at this time – no other boats, peaceful and just a moment to treasure.
Travel through the montage of islands to the edge of the bay and Cape Brett peninsula. Scramble ashore at the Old Landing, step by step up to the last lighthouse keepers house. The effort is rewarded with outstanding views of the outer Bay of Islands, north to the Cavalli Islands and south to Whangaruru and beyond to the Poor Knight Islands.
Cape Brett really is a very special place. The 14-metre high Cape Brett Lighthouse was built in 1906 and a small settlement was established for the lighthouse keepers and their families.
This lighthouse was finally automated in 1978 and thus came the end of settlement for the families. When you arrive you will see old dwelling sites of the families houses and you get a sense of their isolation, and their responsibility in keeping watch over those who needed protecting on the water.
The seven distinctive peaks that mark Cape Brett’s spine are said to represent the seven waka that brought Maori settlers to Aotearoa from Hawaiiki around 700 years ago. The area is rich in early Maori history, and the remains of ancient pa.
Hear the stories as you settle in for a hard climb up past the lighthouse, with many photo stops along the way. Walk-