3139 Cape Brett

Weekend 30th August - 1st September 2024

With its dramatic views, wind-swept cliffs, and rugged tracks, Cape Brett Peninsula is a stunning one-way tramp. The cape is steeped in history. In 1908, a lighthouse and three homes were built at the end of the cape, where a succession of lighthouse keepers’ families lived an isolated life. In addition to manning the lighthouse, their daily duties included sending weather reports to the Meteorological Office. The settlement was staffed for 70 years until, in 1978, an automated light was installed. More than 100 keepers looked after the station before it was decommissioned, including our immediate past president’s grandfather!

The launching point for this Northland track is Rawhiti, which is 30km from Russell. The plan is to head north at 7.00am on Friday morning, arriving just after lunchtime. We will catch the water taxi from Rawhiti to Deep Water Cove where we will start the tramp by walking the shorter leg of the track to the hut. That way we can walk the longer section with lighter packs. When walking alongside the dramatic cliff-face towards the Cape, you can apparently see abundant fish and bird life below and often dolphins and seals come close to shore.

The hut is nestled on a bed of grass just metres from the cliffs of the cape and is the former lighthouse keeper’s home. It is full of character – hardwood floors and broad windows with views out to sea. Please note the water at the hut is salty and may be undrinkable so we need to take our own drinking water.

Backcountry Passes may be used at this hut, but you will need to book your own accommodation if you wish to take advantage of the discount. Please let me know when registering whether you will be independently booking your hut accommodation using your pass.

After spending Friday night at the hut, on Saturday we will hike 16km back to Rawhiti. The track from Deep Water Cove to Rawhiti runs along a ridge through Māori-owned land and is leased from Te Rawhiti Trust by Cape Brett Walkways. There is a $40 fee to walk it. In addition to kilometre markers, there are several small shelters along the route, including a fully enclosed lunch spot around the 8km mark. 

DOC grades this track as ‘advanced’, and this is due to its elevation profile. The track is well-formed, but there are few stretches of level ground. Some sections are particularly steep, which means uphill climbs and slippery descents, but the spectacular views make it worthwhile.

On Saturday night we will stay in Rawhiti (probably at the marae) and drive back to Hamilton on Sunday, stopping for a short walk on the way if time permits.

DISTANCE: 16.3km

TOTAL ASCENT: 1213m

TIME: 2-3 hrs Deep Water Cove to hut / 7-8hrs hut to Rawhiti

Leader:	Lynette Morris	Phone:	021 0734519
Grade:	Medium - Fit	Email:	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Transport (van): Water taxi:	Senior member All (provided >5)	approx $80 $50	Senior non-member	approx $90
Accommodation: Track fee:	Cape Brett per person	$25 per night $40

Click here for online map