Cape Brett Hut

Bay of Islands & Northland


This basic DOC hut in a former lighthouse keeper's cabin has 23 bunk beds (book in advance) and cooking facilities. Water isn't guaranteed so bring your own drinking water for your stay.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Bay of Islands & Northland attractions

1. Oke Bay

5.36 MILES

It's a bit of a drive (30km) and a short steep walk down to the beach, but worth the effort. There's not a lot of beach when the tide is high so time your…

2. Long Beach

12.73 MILES

About 1.5km behind Russell (an easy walk or cycle) is this placid, child-friendly beach. Turn left (facing the sea) to visit Donkey Bay, a small cove that…

3. Tapeka Point

12.86 MILES

North of Russell, on the other side of Maiki hill, Tapeka Rd heads down to a sandy beach in the shadow of a craggy headland. A pā once stood at the top of…

4. Flagstaff Hill

13.22 MILES

Overlooking Russell, this is the hill where Hōne Heke chopped down the British flagpole four times. You can drive up, but the epic view over Russell and…

5. Christ Church

13.29 MILES

English naturalist Charles Darwin made a donation towards the cost of building this, the country’s oldest surviving church (1836). The graveyard's biggest…

6. Russell Museum

13.35 MILES

This small museum has a well-presented Māori section, a large 1:5 scale model of Captain Cook’s Endeavour, a 10-minute video on the town’s history and an…

7. Pompallier Mission

13.43 MILES

Built in 1842 to house the Catholic mission’s printing press, this rammed-earth building is the mission's last remaining building in the western Pacific,…

8. Omata Estate

14.06 MILES

With a growing reputation for red wines – especially its old-growth syrah – Omata Estate is one of Northland's finest wineries. To complement the tastings…