Cape Brett Carpark & Accommodation
Pink and orange dusk sky over Oke Bay Lodge, palms and front lawn in the foreground.
Cars parked in the gated lot above Oke Bay, native bush behind, with a yellow marker pointing to the start of the Cape Brett Track.

About

An antique villa at the end of the road.

Right at the start of the Cape Brett Track, and four hours by foot from anywhere noisier.

Rawhiti · Northland

Trampers have been pulling up here for over two decades to leave the car, fill the water bottle, and point themselves at the cape. We’ve added a few rooms, a few small comforts, and a way to book a spot before you drive up. Otherwise, not much has changed.

Oke Bay Lodge is a restored 1880s villa with a wraparound deck, a front lawn that the kererū claim every spring, and views of the bay through the cabbage trees. The road in winds through native bush, past the marae, and ends at our gate. After that it’s only the track and the sea.

The carpark sits behind the lodge: gated, off the road, and far from anyone who shouldn’t be near your vehicle. The track starts right at our gate. You can leave the lodge at first light without driving up to the cape in the dark.

How we run it

Small, close, practical.

Three things shape every decision we make here. They’re why we’re set up this way, and why we don’t do some of the things bigger operations do.

Close to the track

No pre-dawn drive.

Most trampers start the cape in the dark to beat the tide at Deep Water Cove. Staying here means you walk the 200 metres to the trailhead instead.

A small operation

We know who’s coming.

Bookings come straight to Julian. There’s no front desk, no shift handover. If you message us, you’re messaging the person who’ll be on the lawn when you arrive.

Built for tramping

The basics, done well.

A real bed, a hot shower, somewhere safe for your car, and a strong coffee in the morning. We don’t try to be a hotel. We try to be the right base for a long day on the cape.

Why park here

Eight reasons trampers choose us.

The carpark sits at 147 Rawhiti Road, the traditional route used for over twenty years. Here’s what you get when you leave the car here.

  1. Right at the track entrance

    Start your walk at the traditional Cape Brett trailhead. No long roadside walk carrying heavy packs.

  2. Secure, private property

    Park safely off the road in a monitored, gated area. Not exposed on a rural verge or roadside paddock.

  3. Avoid waiting for tides

    Starting from the traditional route means no delays at Deep Water Cove, and no tramping in wet boots.

  4. Ideal for early starts

    Arrive the night before and set off at first light. Reach the lighthouse with time to enjoy the views, not rush.

  5. Long-stay parking available

    For multi-day walkers heading to Deep Water Cove and returning by water taxi. Your car waits safely while you’re on the track.

  6. Coffee to go

    Freshly brewed coffee on-site. The perfect start before you hit the track.

  7. Clean toilet on-site

    Refresh before you set off. Arrive, sort yourself out, and start the track prepared.

  8. Start and finish at Oke Bay

    Begin and end your tramp overlooking the turquoise waters of Oke Bay. Few tracks offer scenery like this on both ends.

A group of trampers in colourful jackets laughing on the lawn in front of Oke Bay Lodge at dusk.
The arrivalPark, drop your packs, meet the rest of the crew.
Oke Bay Lodge at dusk, a restored Victorian villa with the lights on.
The lodge1880s villa, wraparound deck, lawn full of kererū.
Two trampers looking out at the Oke Bay coastline, the tide too high to walk around.
The bay at high tideStay the night, start at first light. Beat the tide.

Good to know

What to expect on the day.

Check-in
From 2pm. Drive up to the lodge, park in the carpark behind, and come find Julian.
Parking
Off the road, behind a gate. You can leave the car here for the one or two nights you’re on the track without worry.
What we provide
A clean bed, a hot shower, and a strong coffee in the morning. The Deluxe includes breakfast on the deck. The Tramper Special is BYO sleeping bag, sheet, pillow, towel, and food.
What we don’t
We don’t book the DOC hut at the cape, the track access fee, or shuttle transfers. Those are separate and worth sorting before you arrive.
The cape’s the destination. We’re just the bit that makes the morning easier.
Julian · Cape Brett Carpark
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