Cape Brett
- Te Toroa Bay
- Norda 001 - Glitch
- Deep Water Cove dip
- End of the cape
- Cliff
- Pa’lante Desert Pack
- Trail
- Bed down location
- Cape Brett Hut
- Otuwhanga Island
- Sunrise over the South Pacific Ocean
- Kilometer marker
- Bay of Islands
- Skeleton leaf
- Oke Bay
Cape Brett Peninsula (Māori: Rākaumangamanga) is a 15 km (9.3 mi) long peninsula in the Bay of Islands, in the Northland Region of New Zealand Wikipedia. The Cape Brett Track traverses rugged terrain for 16 km through native and regenerating bush. Expect dramatic coastal views; steep cliffs and drop-offs to the side of the track are a feature DOC. Situated in stunning, coastal surrounds, the Lighthouse Keeper’s house at Cape Brett has been converted into a hut. This is a serviced 23-bunk hut in the Bay of Islands area. The hut must be booked online in advance DOC.
Weather
- Saturday, 22 March 2025
- Temp: 25 / 22 °C
- Humidity: 58%
- Wind: 10 km/h ESE
- Sunday, 23 March 2025
- Temp: 22 / 16 °C
- Humidity: 82%
- Wind: 5 km/h SW
Notes
- Whangamumu/Te Toroa Track. The Te Toroa Track and Kauri Grove Track are closed permanently due to Kauri dieback. I had planned to do a pseudo-lollipop out-and-back, extending day two and returning via Te Toroa and Whangamumu Tracks, and Rawhiti Road. The track closure only became apparent when I passed the turn-off on day one. Water sources. The water at Cape Brett Hut is no longer salty (due to sea spray) but still needs to be treated before drinking. I carried 4 L of water from the trailhead expecting no water sources along the track. I found there are in fact two water tanks on the ridge before and at the Whangamumu/Te Toroa Track junction. Additionally, there were two low but flowing streams between the Whangamumu/Te Toroa Track junction and Deep Water Cove.
- Spicy sky raisins. Introduced wasps – “spicy sky raisins” – were prevalent along the track. Fortunately, I wasn’t stung.
- Mile stones. The Cape Brett Track has markers at every kilometer, indicating your distance from Oke Bay or Cape Brett Hut. I am passionately opposed to this kind of trail marker. The warped sense of time and distance that can only be found on trail is spoiled.
- Parking. There is no carpark at the trailhead and limited street parking. I opted to pay a neighbour $20.00 to park on their back lawn, behind a locked gate, and secured by CCTV. Several residences along Rawhiti Road have signage advertising parking for a fee.
- Wind pants. It tested my new Energetiks Ripstop Warm Up Pants – i.e. “dance pants” – on this trip. I didn’t need them while hiking, but they were excellent for added warmth while cooking dinner as the sun went down and a sea breeze picked up.
Gear
- Worn: Helios Ultralight 7 Panel Soft Brim cap, Dirty Dog Racoon sunglasses, Macpac Trail Long Sleeve Hooded T-Shirt, Patagonia Strider Pro Shorts (5 in), Injinji Trail Midweight Crew, Norda 001, Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Z (120 cm)
- Carried: Macpac Prothermal Hooded Fleece, Gnuhr Shag Hoodie, Montbell Storm Cruiser, Montbell Merino Wool socks, Energetiks Ripstop wind pants, Icebreaker Merino 200 Flexi Chute
- Pack: Pa’lante Desert Pack, Nylofume bag, Orb Ultralight DCF Tech Pouch, Orb Ultralight DCF Zip Closure Food Bag, Orb Ultralight DCF Flat Bottomed Zip Pouch
- Cook: Iso-butane gas canister (110 g), Vargo Titanium BOT (700 ml), Sea to Summit spoon, SOTO Windmaster + TriFlex pot support, Cnoc VectoX 28 mm (2 L), 1907 Still Artesian Water (1 L) with Igneous Gear cap & tether, Aquamira
- Sleep: Katabatic Sawatch 15°F quilt, Cocoon Silk Mummyliner, Big Sky UltraLight inflatable pillow
- Other: iPhone 15 + Otterbox Defender Series XT for MagSafe, Apple EarPods (Lightning Connector), Garmin inReach Mini, Nitecore NU20 Classic + Litesmith Spiderlite UL Headband, Nitecore Pocket 10000, Promate PENTAPOWER.BLK 6-in-1 Hybrid Multi-Connector (1.2 m)