A remote island experience and bird lover’s paradise are what draw most people to Stewart Island, located just off the coast of the southern tip of New Zealand’s South Island. There is only one town, Oban, but the rest is entirely undeveloped land protected within Rakiura National Park. While the park showcases native forest, backcountry beaches and some rare bird species like the elusive kiwi, it’s also home to one of New Zealand’s Great Walks: the Rakiura Track. Read along for some essential tips that I learned from doing this track. Be sure to check out my firsthand account from the Rakiura Track as well.
What is a Great Walk?
“Great Walks” are multi-day hikes (some can also be bike or paddle trips) designated by the government of New Zealand as places to see exceptional natural wonders or are tracks of great historical significance. The Great Walks system was first established in 1992 in an effort to preserve popular hiking trails by designating huts and campsites on the tracks and limiting the number of hikers to reduce environmental impact.
There are 10 Great Walks (though they are working on designating more in the future), and these are recognized as some of the most popular and scenic in all of New Zealand. The Great Walks are located all around the country in varying landscapes, and most of them lie within national parks. All of the tracks are designed to be done over multiple days, though there are some you can do in one day, or you can do parts of them in shorter chunks as day hikes.
Information About the Rakiura Track
Location: This track is located in Rakiura National Park on Stewart Island, which lies off the southern coast of the South Island of New Zealand.
Distance: 32 km loop track, usually done over 3 days
Elevation: The track starts at 0 meters and its highest point reaches 200 meters, with a total elevation gain of about 1300m. It’s an island track, so not much in the way of mountains and generally a very laid back hike.
Weather: Stewart Island receives a LOT of rain throughout the year so many days are rainy and/or overcast. The weather is temperate, so mostly not too cold or too hot especially in the summer.
How to Book the Rakiura Track
The following pricing structure goes for the main Great Walks season (October-April). Pricing varies during the winter months (May-September).
New Zealand Residents*:
Huts: $37/pp
Campsites: $16/pp
*If you’re international but have been living in New Zealand for at least 6 months, you can qualify for this rate with proof of utility bills or pay stubs.
International Visitors:
Huts: $56/pp
Campsites: $24/pp
Here you can find the link to book huts and campsites, as well as additional information about the track from the Department of Conservation (DOC).
Which is Better: Huts or Campsites on the Rakiura Track?
There are pros and cons to each option, outlined below:
Huts:
Pros: Beneficial if you want an indoor space to relax after hiking; good for getting out of inclement weather; come with flush toilets, gas stoves, water taps, sinks, fireplaces; swimming nearby; “summer camp” community feel; you carry less stuff (no tent, no need for gas canister or stove)
Cons: You have to share a bunk room with other people, so not much privacy or quiet; expensive; less time out in nature
Campsites:
Pros: Beneficial if you have your own tent and hiking stove; you can have your own space; come with pit toilets, a cooking shelter with a sink, and a water tank; there is swimming nearby; more time outside in nature; relatively inexpensive
Cons: Not a great choice if you don’t feel comfortable with the possibility of setting up or putting away tent in the rain, if you don’t have a warm sleeping bag or appropriate sleeping layers if you’re hiking during the winter season, or if you don’t have all the camping and cooking gear required to be self-sufficient
Stewart Island Transport
You must take a ferry or fly to get to Stewart Island. Real NZ operates the ferry from Bluff and the tickets cost $220 RT. Alternatively, you can pay a bit more and fly there from Invercargill with Stewart Island Flights. Flights are $245 RT. Parking costs are extra for both the ferry and flight options.
If you choose to take the ferry, be aware that car theft is common in Bluff, where you will leave your car and take the ferry across to Stewart Island. A few years ago a Dutch traveller’s entire van was stolen from Bluff with all her belongings while she was hiking the Rakiura Track. To prevent yourself from being a target, follow these tips:
- Do not park in the open parking lot directly across from the ferry terminal if you plan to stay overnight on Stewart Island. This lot may be cheaper but it does not have working cameras, and though the police are aware that car theft is common here, they aren’t always patrolling the area.
- Instead, park at the fenced lot just down the street a little, as this one is locked every evening and also has operating cameras. This lot is run by Real NZ (the same as the ferry operator) and costs $25-$57 for the first 1-4 nights and then another $10 for every additional night thereafter.
- As an extra precaution, make sure your car is locked, there are no valuables in sight, and don’t leave any extra keys inside the car either.
Essential Packing List and Tips for Hiking the Rakiura Track
Aside from your traditional backpacking list (which you can also find on the Rakiura Track DOC page), don’t forget to pack the following ESSENTIAL items:
- A headlamp with a red light for kiwi spotting (they don’t like bright lights).
- A microfiber towel (for yourself and for drying off your tent).
- Bug spray – There is a disgusting amount of sandflies at Maori Beach and Port William. Be warned.
- GOOD waterproof gear (jacket, pants, and especially boots). I didn’t have waterproof pants on my hike, but I did wear quick drying pants/shorts which worked fine. A hat is also useful for keeping both rain and sun off your face.
- A waterproof rain cover for your pack, optionally also a waterproof pack liner. I didn’t use a pack liner but the rain cover surely saved our stuff from getting soaked.
- Gaiters. This is something I overlooked before doing the hike. I knew there was going to be some mud, but I didn’t think it would be as bad as it was. Do yourself a favor and bring a pair of gaiters. They may save your boots, keep your feet dry and will probably help cut down your hiking time.
- Hiking poles are another optional extra that will very much help you navigate the muddy sections on the track.
Tips to Prepare for the Rakiura Track:
- If you don’t have gaiters or other rain gear, you can rent them from the Stewart Island Outdoor Adventure & Gift Shop. They have a number of other items they rent or sell. Alternatively you can stock up on your outdoor gear in Queenstown, as they have several outdoor stores with more options.
- On the island, there is a Four Square grocery store for any last minute food you may need.
- Don’t get transport to or from the trailheads. You can just walk from Oban – it’s only an extra hour to Lee Bay and it’s a beautiful walk. On the last day your walk into town from the end of the trail is only about 20-30 minutes.
Places to Check Out on Stewart Island
Be sure to check out the Rakiura National Park Visitor Center before your hike. There are informational panels; you can check the weather forecast and trail conditions; and the park rangers can give you tips about how to spot a kiwi or anything else you might want to know. They also sell some gear that may be useful on your trip.
If you’d like to stay an extra day or two in Oban before or after the Rakiura Track, Stewart Island Backpackers is an affordable option. They have private rooms, dorms, and tent sites available. There are a few hotels and lodges in the area too.
Make sure to check out Kai Kart (the best fish and chips of my life) and the Old Butcher Shop Cafe (an adorable and yummy coffee shop with plenty of space for chilling after your hike).
Ulva Island is a great day trip from Oban. You can catch a water taxi from Halfmoon Bay for $25-35 RT. Ulva Island is a predator-free island with walking trails and lots of native birds to look for. I wish I had the chance to do this while I was on Stewart Island! The water taxis can transport to a few other places around the island as well.
Good luck and have fun!
I have written a separate post that goes into more detail about my firsthand experience hiking the Rakiura Track, which you can find here.
Thinking about doing some more Great Walks on the South Island? (You should be, because they’re awesome.) I’ve written up posts for the Routeburn Track, the Kepler Track, and the Abel Tasman Track. If you’re going to the North Island, I’ve also written up a post for the Tongariro Northern Circuit.
Also, let me know how your trip was! Drop a line below and share this article with your hiker friends!
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