The Rakiura Track - Three Day Walk

The Rakiura Track - Three Day Walk
From NZD $670.00
  • Duration: 4 Days (approx.)
  • Product code: AART1
Get well away from the crowds on Stewart Island’s peaceful Rakiura Track: the least visited Great Walk, but only because of its remote location. It’s perfect for serious nature enthusiasts. You will walk through one of New Zealand’s most pristine environments, with an incredible amount of rare native wildlife on display. There’s even a good chance of spotting an elusive Kiwi.


  • Return ferry from Bluff to Oban included.
  • Return shuttle from Invercargill to Bluff available.
  • Two nights accommodation in Oban for before and after walk.
  • Two nights hut accommodation on the track included.

Day One: Ferry from Bluff to Stewart Island. We organise your ferry from Bluff to Oban at a time that suits you and sort your accomodation in town for the night too.


Day Two: Oban to Port William (13km 4-5 Hours). Head out of town along Horseshoe Bay Road and follow the main coast road around successive lovely bays. When you get to Lee Bay you pass through The Anchorstone or Te Puka - a chain link sculpture marking the start of the huge Rakiura National Park. The track continues to follow the coast past more beautiful sandy stretches such as Maori beach. Keep an eye out for fur seals and sealions! You then split from the main track up to Port William and your first night on the trail at Port William Hut.


Day Three: Port William to North Arm (13km 6 Hours). Today you start by backtracking to the main trail, which then heads west into the rainforest. The track passes through a variety of vegetation including previously milled and virgin podocarp forest. Remnants of milling activity are seen along the track as it follows old tramlines once used to direct logs to their various destinations. You eventually emerge at North Arm - an important waterway and food gathering area for early Maori. Your second night in the trail will be at North Arm Hut nestled above the shores of Patterson Inlet.


Day Four: North Arm to Oban (13km 4-5 Hours). Your final day on the the track will have you sidling around the heavily indented coast line of this part of Stewart Island. At Sawdust Bay you pass a sawmill site which was operated between 1914 and 1918. The track continues through rimu and kamahi dominated forest emerging at the sheltered bays of Kidney Fern Arm and Kaipipi Bay. When you reach Fern Gully carpark it is another 2 km along the road (turn left into Main Rd) to get back to Oban township. Tonight you will stay back in your cosy Oban accommodation and celebrate a great walk achieved. 


Day Five: Stewart Island to Bluff. You can depart on the ferry early in the morning or spend most of an extra day in Oban, maybe go on a wildlife tour, before the ferry departs in the afternoon.



*Please Note: 

There is a supplementary fee imposed by the NZ Government for international (non-NZ Resident) visitors to NZ Great Walks  - If you are an international visitor please select the International Adult / Child Price Boxes

Minimum of 2 participants if booking online. Price based on 2 people sharing double or twin room in Oban accommodation. Solo travellers please contact us directly to book or to find out more information.