Stony Batter Walk on Waiheke Island
Located on Waiheke Island in Auckland, the Stony Batter walk offers a unique blend of natural beauty and historical intrigue. This 2 km walk leads visitors through vineyards and farmland to the Stony Batter Reserve, home to an impressive ancient boulder field and the historic Stony Batter Fortress. The journey provides not only a glimpse into the island's geological past but also superb views of the Hauraki Gulf.
Scenic Walk Through History and Nature
The walk begins at the car park at the end of Stony Batter Road. It starts with a short, steep climb on a private road past vineyards. On the left, there is a forest remnant with some particularly gnarled puriri trees and a big tōtara towards the top. As you continue, the view opens up to reveal rolling hills that descend towards the Hauraki Gulf. On the right, the landscape quickly transitions from open farmland to a grassy hillside scattered with ancient boulders.
Geological Wonders of the Boulder Field
The boulder field at Stony Batter is a remarkable geological site, featuring rounded boulders that are remnants of an 8-million-year-old basalt volcano. These boulders display karst features—shapes formed by water flow erosion—a process that is rare in basalt rock and known to exist in only a few places, such as the Wairere Boulders in the Hokianga.
Originally covered in forest, the boulders have been shaped over time by a combination of humus and rainwater, which formed a weak acid that carved funnels and flutes into the rock. This process, typically associated with limestone and marble, is a relatively recent discovery in basalt formations. Additionally, some boulders are adorned with lichen patches that mimic their round shapes.
Exploring the Boulder Field
Upon reaching the Stony Batter Reserve, there is signposted access into the hilly boulder field, and you can explore at your leisure. Many of the boulders are very big, and some stick out of the ground like obelisks. A short distance beyond the boulder field access, you will find the often-photographed shark head rock. Another option is to walk up and over the ridge on the Opopo Bay Track. Even if you don't continue all the way to the bay, the view from the ridge is magnificent.
Note that access to the boulder fields is restricted from August 1 to September 30 due to lambing.
Discovering the Gun Emplacements
As you walk along the road below the boulder field, you will also see the concrete base of a workshop that supported the work camp and construction of the WWII fortress on the north side of the road, below the boulder field. You can continue a bit further on the road to enter the historic Stony Batter Fortress.
From the fortress, you can take the Hooks Bay Track to Hooks Bay on the north side of the island.
How to Get There
To visit Stony Batter Reserve from Onetangi, follow Waiheke Road to Man O’War Road, then continue onto Stonybatter Road. Park your vehicle at the car park at the end of the road. You can take your own car on a car ferry or rent a car at the ferry terminal in Matiatia Bay.
Other activities on Waiheke Island include a visit to Man o'War Bay, which includes a winery restaurant, Big Oneroa Beach, Whakanewha Regional Park and one of the spectacular coastal sections of Te Ara Hura between Mātiatia Bay and Oneroa.
