Motutapu Island reopening to public

Date:  20 October 2017

Motutapu, in the Hauraki Gulf, was closed to the public in April this year.

"We closed Motutapu to protect the public," says DOC Auckland Inner Islands Operations Manager Keith Gell.

"Roads, tracks, the campground at Home Bay and DOC accommodation were all closed by slips and washouts caused by heavy rain during Cyclone Debbie in April. There was also a risk that further heavy rain could trigger fresh slips.

"We're reopening Motutapu to the public because the island is now safe for them to return.

"The roads, campground and most of the tracks are open and the risk of further slips has eased," says Keith Gell.

Motutapu campsite at Home Bay open

The campsite is open but a reduction in toilet facilities has meant the number of campsites has been reduced from 152 to 38.

The toilet block at Home Bay remains closed after it was hit by a landslide during Cyclone Debbie. Four fibreglass wilderness toilets are at the site for campers to use.

These tracks on Motutapu are open:

• Motutapu Walkway (Causeway To Home Bay)
• Emu Point Track
• Sandy Bay Track
• Wetland Track
• Station Bay Access Track
• Waikarapupu Bay Access Track
• Pohutukawa Track
• Billy Goat Point Track, Motutapu
• MOEC Access Track

These tracks on Motutapu remain closed:

• Rotary Centennial Track
• Mullet Bay track

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