Wow – Browns Island in Auckland Harbour – what a cool little island to visit. Browns Island is a small volcanic island that you can visit for an hour or a full day. Rising to 65m above sea level, the views of Auckland City and the Hauraki Gulf as you climb are superb.
Integrated GPS Map of Browns Island
Find tips on how to use this Google GPS Map
Get there by boat, kayak or paddle board
Browns Island is close to Auckland’s mainland. Launch a boat at Halfmoon Bay or another closeby spot or kayak or
Kayaks and Paddle Boards may want to access via the shallow beach on the southwest side.
What to see and do?
Browns Island Auckland is a fascinating small volcano in the Waitemata Harbour that deserves to be explored. It is mostly grassy paddocks that can be freely walked. Some
- Climb the volcanic cone to the trig to get a great
360 degree view of Auckland and the Gulf. The volcano is also very defined and worth a look! - Walk the circumference of Browns Island
- Visit the shipwreck on the Southwest beach
- Examine the three types of volcanic structures present on Browns Island – the only volcano in Auckland to have all three types.
- Swim at Crater Bay – the water is clear and deep with a nice little beach
- Search for fossils
Walking Difficulty and Suitability
That walking tracks on Browns Island are largely unformed tracks that just wander through the grass. There are stairs ascending from Crater Bay towards the volcanic cone.
The walk to the summit is short but quite steep – suitable for most, except those who are unsteady on their feet. The island is not suitable for buggies, pushchairs or wheelchairs.
This is a fascinating book on Auckland’s 50 volcanoes. Learn about the prominent, obscure and unexpected. Discover locations, history and geology. Great book to add to your Auckland collection.
