Mt Hobson is the highest point on Great Barrier Island providing spectacular views of the island as well as a walk through some of the islands more amazing native bush. The summit is one of the few areas that has been spared from logging and is home to the rare black petrel and numerous rare plants.
There are three options for accessing Mt Hobson:
Via Windy Canyon – this is the quickest route to the summit also arguably the easiest too. The walk can be done in a couple of hours and you return via the same track back to your car. This track is exposed on the ridge lines and can become tough going during howling wind and rain.
Via Peach Tree Track – you can come in via the hotsprings if you have someone picking you up; However if you want to do a loop then you’re best to park at the Windy Canyon car park walk down the road then take the tramline track (incredibly steep and nasty particularly when its wet) follow the tramline to the peach tree track which will take you up Mt Heale hut (awesome hut) from the hut its about an hours walk to the summit. Follow the Windy Canyon track back to your car.
Via Kaiarara hut – take the track past the hut then take the south east line track to Mt Heale hut. In the morning take the mt heale track to the summit then follow the Kaiarara track down past the kauri dams to your car. This is by far the more scenic track as it allows you to see the kauri dams on the way back down.
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