Walk Details

NZ Walking Routes > Great Walks > Stewart Island - Rakiura Track

Stewart Island - Rakiura Track

Location
Just a 20 minute flight from Invercargill or an hour by ferry from Bluff, Stewart Island/Rakiura is home to New Zealand’s most southerly and newest national park, Rakiura National Park, and the Rakiura Track.
Description

Although the Rakiura Track is a 29km tramping track, suitable for anyone with moderate fitness, the entire circuit is actually 36km, including road walking. It takes three days, provides a good introduction to the scenery of Stewart Island and is suitable for tramping all year round. The circuit follows the open coast, climbs over a 300 metre high forested ridge, and traverses the sheltered shores of Paterson Inlet. It passes sites of historical interest and introduces many of the common sea and forest birds of the island. Parts of it cross Maori land and access is courtesy of the owners. The track is suitable for walking in either direction.

The track begins at Lee Bay, the official entrance to Rakiura National Park. To commence the track turn right from the DOC visitor centre on Stewart Island/Rakiura, heading towards the waterfront. Follow the road over a series of hills to Horseshoe Bay, then on to Lee Bay.

Halfmoon Bay to Port William Hut, 12km, 4-5 hours.
Port William Hut to North Arm Hut, 12km, 6 hours.
North Arm Hut to Halfmoon Bay, 12km, 4-5 hours.

Once on the island, sea kayaks and water taxis are available for hire and can be used for access to Rakiura Track huts. Stewart Island waters are changeable and should be treated with the utmost respect. Camping is permitted only at the designated campsites at Maori Beach, Port William and Sawdust Bay. Snorkelling and scuba diving are rewarding on Ulva Island and hunting is possible with a permit. Sea kayaking in the Paterson inlet/Whaka a Te Wera offers 10,000 ha of waterway with two navigable rivers and 20 islands to visit. Guided kayaking tours are available. Ulva Island has one of the largest and least modified estuaries in the country and is home to over 56 species of fish.

Distance
36.0 km
Level
Easy
Amenities
  • Birds
  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Historical
  • Huts
  • Plant Life
Source
www.doc.govt.nz
Discussion
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