Cape Brett Hut is located in the Bay of Islands and is the former lighthouse keeper's house. Built in the early 1900s to support the Cape Brett Lighthouse, the hut offers stunning panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean. The Cape Brett Lighthouse was first lit in 1910 and played a crucial role in guiding ships around the hazardous Northland coastline. The station was manned by lighthouse keepers and their families, who lived in near-total isolation for months at a time. Supplies were brought in by boat and hoisted up a steep cliff using a winch, remnants of this winch system can still be seen near the hut today. Life was tough and remote. Keepers had to be self-reliant, maintaining the light, managing kerosene supplies, and dealing with the harsh coastal weather. The original light was fueled by oil, and only later converted to electricity. The lighthouse was eventually automated in 1978, and the keepers were withdrawn, leaving behind the keeper’s house which is now the Cape Brett Hut. Access to the hut is via the challenging 16.5 km Cape Brett Track, which winds through native bush rich in coastal flora like manuka, kanuka, and pohutukawa trees.