Walks on Urupukapuka Island

There are many loop tracks on the island, ranging from 1 hour short loops to the whole 5 hour island loop.   Probably my greatest regret was not going on one of these 1-2 hour walks. Instead we spent more time at the beach because it was the first really clear and sheltered place we had been for Nathan to learn to snorkel.  And he saw fish! So it was worth it for him.

My secret spot for the best views

If you don’t have the time, or the patience to walk with the kids, I will let you in on a wee secret.. You can get epic 360 degree views, just 10 minutes walk from the beach.  If you are standing on the jetty looking at the island, you will see the peninsula up to your right. Head up the wee sheep track, which will take you all of 5 minutes and you can already see to the bays on the other side of the island.  If you head to the top of the Peninsula, only another few minutes up the hill, you will be able to see widely across the whole of the Bay of Islands. 

Kids will find this little track up quite steep, but it’s totally doable as its short.  My 3 year old loved sitting up on top of the peninsula watching the boats and helicopters fly in.  

There won’t be any shelter on these walks on the island, because you really are right up on top here, so my advice if you are here in the height of summer, would be to do one of these walks, first up before the sun gets too intense and hot, then start your swimming/beaching after that.  We were pretty hot and sweaty just from the short climb.

Official Walks on Urupukapuka Island

There are a number of walks and tracks around the island.  The official Urupukapuka Island walk is 7.3km and will take about 5 hours.  My guess would be longer with kids and heat.  But there are a number of loop tracks that will provide an awesome experience but keep the walking time down

• Otehei Bay Loop (20 mins – 1 hour)
• Cable Bay Loop (1 hour)
• Urupukapuka Bay Loop (1-1.5 hours)
• Paradise Bay Loop (1 hour)
• Pateke Loop (1.5-2 hours)
• Cliff Pa Look (1 hour)
• Akeake Peninsula (1 hour return)

A number of these walks start from other bays on the island, but you can join them together to create your own ideal walk.  Explore have put together an amazing map, so grab a copy when you jump on board.

Island Conservation Centre

Project Island Song helps to keep Urupukapuka Island pest free and is helping to return the birdlife to the island.  You can learn all about the conservation efforts and more about the history of the island, in the Island Conservation Centre.  It is free for both adults and children.