During my most recent trip to New Zealand in November 2024, I hiked to the amazing Mt Heale Hut on Great Barrier Island. This island is located about 4.5 hours by ferry from the city of Auckland but couldn’t be more different than mainland New Zealand. Great Barrier Island is a completely off grid island and I had the pleasure of spending three days hiking on the island. In this article I’ll tell you all about my hike to Mt Heale Hut, my chosen route and more tips for getting there. Enjoy!
Hiking on Great Barrier Island
One of the main reasons for many to visit Great Barrier Island is to go hiking, or tramping as the New Zealanders like to call it. The Aotea Track is a three day circular track but was partly closed during my time of visit. I therefore chose to hike a section of it and just hit the highlights of Aotea Conservation park instead of doing the whole circular track.
My plan was to hike Windy Canyon to Mt Heale Hut on day 1, stay at Mt Heale Hut overnight and then head down to the main road via Kaitoke Hot Springs. This was advised to me by fellow Dutchie Hilde, who has lived on Great Barrier Island for more than two decades and hosted me during this trip. Below you’ll find my story.
Day 1: Windy Canyon to Mt Heale Hut
Hilde drops me off at the Windy Canyon road end. I have made my reservation for Mt Heale Hut, have two days of food with me and am in good spirits. Just after the trailhead I enter Windy Canyon lookout and I am stunned by the beauty of the views that I have. I continue my way on the Palmers Track which is never hard, yet it has a lot of ascend and descend. I walk on the ridge line most of the time and just enjoy the amazing views all around me.
After about 1.5 hours I see Mt Hobson, the highest point on Great Barrier Island, ahead of me and I disappear into the forest. From here it’s mostly wooden boards and plenty of steps, eventually leading me to the summit of Mt Hobson. Once here, I have simply amazing views all over the island. It’s just been a few days since I arrived in New Zealand and I’m already full into tramping and loving it!
The descend to Mt Heale Hut is not difficult but again has plenty of steps and makes the knees weak. After about half an hour I arrive at the hut, shortly before sunset. I’m the only non-New Zealander and spend a quiet night in nature.
Day 2: Mt Heale Hut to Kaitoke Hot Springs / Whangaparapara
I’m in no rush the next morning as I’m supposed to meet Hilde at the hot springs around noon. I think it’s about a two hour way down so after breakfast I slowly pack and start my descent. Again, the track is never difficult yet with a lot of steps. In the morning it’s cloudy but about an hour after my departure from the hut the sun starts to shine.
Then I get to the Kaitoke Hot Springs and jump into the water. There’s only the four ladies who also stayed at the Mt Heale Hut the night before but other than that it’s quiet. No other tourists, it must be my lucky day. Hilde meets me at the hot springs, we bathe together for a while and eventually stroll to Whangaparapara Roadend where her car is.
About Mt Heale Hut
Mount Heale Hut was built in 2010 and lies on a ridge below Mount Hobson. There are 20 beds and cooking facilities. You’ll need to bring your own food, sleeping bag and cooking utensils. Mt Heale Hut needs to be booked in advance on the Department of Conservation website. It’s definitely one of the most stunning mountains huts I stayed in while in New Zealand.
How to book your trip to and on Great Barrier Island
You can either fly or catch a ferry to get to Great Barrier Island. I took the Sealink ferry from downtown Auckland and had a pleasant crossing. Once on GBI, note that there is no public transportation available so you’ll either have to book private transfers or hitch hike. Find more information on transport on Great Barrier Island here.
Before and after my trekking I stayed at Xspot Cliff House which is run by Hilde. It provides excellent ocean views, however you’ll need a 4WD car to get there.
New Zealand for beginners
Are you planning to go on a trip to New Zealand for the first time? Excellent, as there is a big chance that you will enjoy this amazing country as much as I do.
In my e-book New Zealand for beginners you will find everything you want to know about your first journey to and in New Zealand. I was once a beginner myself, in 2002 to be precise. Since then I have travelled to New Zealand five more times and spent more than a year exploring.
Between 2001 and 2017 I worked for various travel organizations. Providing concrete, practical tips is my job and is based on years of experience. I’ve been a full time travel writer since 2017.
View and order the e-book here.
New Zealand multi day hike packing list
Below I have mentioned my essentials for carrying when doing an overnight hike in New Zealand and staying at huts. Always make sure to check if the below applies for the hut you’re staying at as options may change throughout the season.
- A 35-50 liter backpack, I have the Osprey Aura AG 50.
- A sleeping bag for the huts, I have this one.
- A liner if you wish, I carry a silk one that almost weighs nothing but adds warmth.
- An inflatable pillow.
- A cooking stove and gas.
- A lightweight mug, pocket knife, spork and pan.
- Dry bags for my clothes and valuables.
- Water filter. I have the Sawyer Squeeze.
- Food and at least two liters of water per day.
- A powerbank.
- My Kobo Clara for evening reading.
- Headlight.
- Quick dry towel.
- Clothes: hiking shoes (I hiked on the HOKA Challenger), hiking pants, a woolen shirt, long johns, socks, underwear, hat, mittens, a buff.
- Raingear: I have a Fjällräven rain jacket plus a rainpants.
- Hut shoes, I usually bring my Crocs.
- First aid kit
- Sunscreen, sunglasses.
- Emergency blanket.
- Ziplocks for waste.
- Toilet paper.
- Garmin inReach Mini 2 (there is no mobile coverage on most of the track)
- Insect repellent and a Bite Away.
- Trekking poles.
Conclusion and disclaimer
I’d already heard that Great Barrier Island was stunning and now, during my 6th visit to New Zealand, I finally got to experience it for myself. The hike that I did was not too hard, yet challenging enough to make my heartbeat go up and knees wobble at some point.
If you want to read more about hiking in New Zealand, you may also enjoy the following posts:
Or go to my New Zealand homepage with more than 50 articles about active travel in New Zealand.
This article contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase and/or reservation via such a link, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for considering!
