The Rakiura Track is the Most Serene of New Zealand’s Great Walks

With stunning coastal scenery, enough birdlife for even the most enthusiastic twitchers, and a fraction of the crowds seen on most of New Zealand’s Great Walks, Rakiura/Stewart Island’s Rakiura Track is a must-add to your New Zealand bucket list.

Quick Overview

The 32km Rakiura circuit meanders through Rakiura/Stewart Island’s peaceful coastline and lush native forest in the far south of New Zealand. It can be completed as an intense day-hike or a more relaxed three-day adventure and has options for both camping and staying in huts along the track.

Read more: Remember to leave no trace

Lots of trees for those who prefer to swing in hammocks

Rakiura Track Facts

Distance: 32km (plus distance to and from Oban township)
Duration: 1-3 days
Elevation gain: 1,248m
Nearest town: Oban

About Rakiura/Stewart Island and the Rakiura Track

Just south of New Zealand’s South Island, Rakiura/Stewart Island is considered by some to be the country’s ‘third island’. With 85% of its landmass taken up by national parks, the island is a biodiversity hotspot.

Plus, its kiwi population outnumbers the island’s 400 permanent residents, meaning it’s arguably the best place in the country to see this elusive bird in the wild.

The Rakiura Track loops through podocarp forest and along open coastline. It follows a combination of boardwalk and gravel path to try and reduce the track’s infamous mud.

Read more: 7 Tips for Rainy Day Hiking

There’s no denying the mud is still there, especially if it’s rained recently, however, our experience was that with decent hiking boots and a willingness to get a little dirty, the muddy track was very manageable (hiking poles can also be a big help!).

History of the Rakiura Track

Not only does this hike boast spectacular scenery and wildlife, but also has a rich history which can be viewed and learned about throughout the track.

Pa Whakataka was an early Maori coastal site with an abundance of fish and tītī (muttonbirds) for hunting. The original inhabitants of the land were the Waitaha tribe, followed by the Ngāti Mamoe and Ngāi Tahu people.

The track’s many beautiful coastlines are steeped in history

After colonisation, Rakiura/Stewart Island became a site of whaling and seal hunting, before logging, sheep farming, and fishing became its major industries.

However, in the early 1990s, timber harvesting was no longer economically viable, allowing native forests to regenerate. Remains from the island’s logging days can be seen along the track, including steam boilers and log haulers which are still in impressively good condition.

How to Get to Rakiura/Stewart Island and the Beginning of the Rakiura Track

You can get to Rakiura/Stewart Island by either ferry or flight.

Ferries depart multiple times a day from Bluff and take around an hour. Make sure to dose up on sea-sickness tablets before the trip if the ocean is looking choppy – I forgot and suffered the consequences.

Alternatively, flights depart from Invercargill Airport and take 15-20 minutes.

The Rakiura Track officially begins in Rakiura National Park at Lee Bay, 5km from Oban. Alternatively, you can tackle the track in the opposite direction, beginning at Fern Gully car park, 2km from the Rakiura National Park Visitor Centre in Oban.

Our group walked both these distances; however, shuttles can be hired for drop-offs at Lee Bay and water taxis are also available to take visitors to huts along the track.

Walking along the road to get to the trailhead

Where to Stay Along the Rakiura Track

There are a number of spots to stay along the Rakiura Track, with both camping or hut options on offer. We had a huge group hiking together with varying amounts of camping gear, so we stayed in a combination of huts and campsites.

Each had its advantages and disadvantages – the campsites are slightly cheaper, however they mean you need to bring and carry your own camping equipment, while the huts are a great option for those who’d prefer a bed to sleep on (beware of snorers!).

Maori Beach Campsite

A basic but beautiful campsite next to the beach and sand dunes, near a steam boiler relic from Rakiura/Stewart Island’s logging days. We didn’t stay at this campsite, instead opting to walk slightly further along the track to Port William.

Port William Campsite and Hut

This picturesque campsite and hut is smack-bang on the beach and one of my favourite parts of the track. Some of my friends even spotted a kiwi in the campsite as they were sitting by the campfire (I was busy kiwi-searching along the track and was fuming when I heard it had just casually wandered into the camp while I was gone!).

North Arm Campsite and Hut

The site where I finally spotted a kiwi! My friend and I heard a screeching noise while hopping into our sleeping bags – we leapt out of our tent to find a very proud-looking, chonky bird strutting its stuff in the middle of the campsite. This campsite was very cute, surrounded by fairyland-esque forest, and is a short walk to the hut and beach.

All campsites and huts on the Rakiura Track have toilets, rainwater tanks (which need to be treated), and cooking shelters.

Read more: Remember to leave no trace

Hut Prices During the Great Walks Season (1 October – 30 April)

New Zealand citizen: $37 per person, per night.
International visitor: $56 per person, per night.

Hut Prices During the Great Walks Season (1 October – 30 April)

New Zealand citizen: $16 per person, per night.
International visitor: $24 per person, per night.

For more information on prices and booking, see the Department of Conservation website.

Skill Level

Intermediate

While this hike doesn’t cover a huge amount of elevation, it still features some hilly patches, and trekking around the mud can also pose a significant challenge depending on the time of year and current weather conditions.

We lucked out with beautiful sunny weather for our hike!

Weather in Rakiura/Stewart Island can also change suddenly and unpredictably, so it’s important to be prepared for cold weather, strong winds, and rain. There’s very little phone reception along the track.

Essential Gear

• Wet-weather gear
• Warm layers
• Sleeping bag
• Tent (if camping)
• Camping stove
• Insect repellent
• Sunscreen
• Plenty of water (however there are fill-up spots along the track)
• A means of purifying water (unless you just wanna send it and embrace whatever funky bacteria the track provides you with – but I didn’t say that)

What it’s Like to Hike the Rakiura Track

This was by far the biggest group of people I’ve hiked with, short of organised school camp-style hikes. I’d just finished up working a ski season at Cardrona Alpine Resort and the group was mostly made up of other ex-staff celebrating the warmer weather and work hiatus.

Our not so small group of hikers

However, despite the 16-person army I was tramping along with, the Rakiura Track provided a real sense of peace and serenity, and it was rare we came across other groups.

Spending time alone – even just stepping off the track and away from the group for a bush wee – allowed for a cacophony of bird and insect sounds.

Here’s how we broke up the Rakiura Track hike experience into day-size chunks:

Day 1 – Oban Township to Port William Hut

Oban Township to Lee Bay (optional)

Distance: 5km
Time: 1-1.5 hours

This is a nice opportunity to explore some more of Oban’s township! The walk meanders along sealed roads with sea views.

Lee Bay (official start of the track) to Port William Hut

Distance: 8km
Time: 3-4 hours

Following the coastline, this track leads you to Little River, which can be crossed using a bridge (at low tide you can also walk across the beach for a bit of a shortcut).

The track features a few ups and downs (nothing too intense) through coastal vegetation before arriving at Maori Beach – a beautiful spot to take a quick dip. Continue along the track to Port William Hut, and if it’s getting dark make sure to keep an eye (and ear) out for elusive kiwis!

Big group swim!

Day 2 – Port William Hut to North Arm Hut

Distance: 13km
Time: 5-7 hours

Today the track heads inland, where you’re likely to encounter some muddy patches. It passes through various vegetation types, including previously milled and virgin podocarp forest. Keep your eyes peeled for remnants of milling activity that can be spotted along the track.

Day 3 – North Arm Hut to Oban Township

North Arm Hut to Fern Gully Car Park (official end of the track)

Distance: 11km
Time: 4-4.5 hours

Follow the headland and enjoy great views of the inlet during the final section of the Rakiura Track. More historic sawmilling sites can be spotted during this section of track.

Fern Gully Car Park to Oban (optional)

Distance: 2km
Time: <1 hour

See the other side of Oban! Enjoy the last couple of kilometres and relish the satisfaction of completing the Rakiura Track as you walk along this final section of road before reaching the Oban centre.

Tips for Hiking the Rakiura Track

Comparative to many of New Zealand’s other Great Walks, the Rakiura Track doesn’t usually book out far in advance. If you want to hike over specific dates, it’s always a good idea to book it with plenty of time.

This is especially important during peak season and around the Christmas holidays. When booking your campsites/huts, you might as well lock in your ferry/transport to the island too.

The sandflies on the Rakiura Track can also be a menace, so insect repellent is a lifesaver. Aside from that, pack your bags and get hiking!

Celebratory fish and chips

Rakiura Track FAQs

How difficult is the Rakiura Track?

The Rakiura Track is moderately difficult. The distances are fairly short and it doesn’t involve a great deal of elevation gain, however the track is notorious for mud, sometimes up to knee-high, which can be taxing to navigate.