GW - 09 Rakiura Track

The Rakiura Track is a 32 km loop trail on Stewart Island in southern New Zealand, gaining roughly 720 m of elevation across 3 days. Rated easy to moderate, it is one of New Zealand's ten Great Walks and the country's best chance to see the southern brown kiwi foraging in the wild along quiet beaches and dense coastal rainforest.

About the GW - 09 Rakiura Track

The Rakiura Track is a 32-kilometre walking loop on Stewart Island (Rakiura), the third-largest island of New Zealand, lying about 30 km south of the South Island across Foveaux Strait. It is managed by the Department of Conservation (DOC) and forms part of the National Walking Network as one of New Zealand's flagship Great Walks. Unlike the alpine drama of the nearby Milford and Kepler tracks, Rakiura is a sea-level forest-and-coast walk that most fit hikers complete comfortably in three days, though strong walkers have finished it in one or two.

The name Rakiura is usually translated as "glowing skies," a reference both to the southern lights (aurora australis) often visible here and to the vivid sunsets over the strait. Roughly 85% of Stewart Island is protected within Rakiura National Park, gazetted in 2002, and the track threads through some of the most intact temperate rainforest in the country. Large sections have been gravelled to protect the peaty soils from churning into mud, so footing is generally good despite the island's famously high rainfall.

The loop is usually walked anticlockwise, starting at Lee Bay about 5 km north of the island's only village, Oban, and finishing at Fern Gully roughly 2 km west of Oban. It follows the coastline for much of its length, dipping inland over a steep forested ridge in the middle section before returning to the sheltered waters of Paterson Inlet. Its biggest draw is wildlife: this is the most reliable place in New Zealand to encounter the Stewart Island tokoeka, a southern brown kiwi that, unusually, forages during daylight hours.

Route Overview & Stages

The classic three-day itinerary breaks the loop into manageable coastal and forest sections, with overnight stops at the two DOC huts. Distances below assume you walk the short road sections between Oban and the official trailheads, or arrange a shuttle.

Because the track is a true loop rather than a strict point-to-point, you can also walk it clockwise or split it differently. Many walkers add the optional 5 km road or water-taxi connection from Oban so they never have to backtrack.

Highlights & Points of Interest

• Lee Bay & the Chain Sculpture: The northern trailhead, marked by a large steel chain-link half-buried in the sand, symbolising the link between Stewart Island and the mainland (its twin sits at Bluff, 30 km north).
• Maori Beach: A long arc of sand reached on Day 1, with a swing bridge over a tidal creek and the rusted boiler of a sawmill that operated here in the early 20th century.
• Port William Hut: Set on a sheltered cove ringed by exotic trees planted by failed 1870s settlers; one of the most reliable spots to see kiwi at dusk and dawn.
• The forested ridge: The steep middle section on Day 2 climbs through unbroken podocarp rainforest of rimu, miro and kāmahi, alive with tūī, bellbird and kākā.
• North Arm Hut: Perched above Paterson Inlet, this hut offers calm-water views and excellent night skies for spotting the aurora australis.
• Kaipipi Bay & the logging tramway: On Day 3 the trail joins an old logging route from Stewart Island's timber era, the widest and easiest walking of the loop.
• Fern Gully: The lush southern terminus near Oban, where tree ferns crowd the path along a small stream.
• Ulva Island (optional): A predator-free open sanctuary in Paterson Inlet, reachable by water taxi, where saddleback, robin and yellowhead thrive — a worthwhile rest-day add-on.

Best Time to Hike the GW - 09 Rakiura Track

Stewart Island sits at 47° south and receives rain on roughly 275 days a year, so there is no truly dry season — pack for wet weather whenever you go. That said, the Great Walk season runs from late October to the end of April, and the summer months of December through March offer the longest daylight, warmest temperatures (15–20 °C) and the firmest tracks.

The single best month is February. By late summer the worst of the spring storms have passed, sandflies are slightly less ferocious than in midsummer humidity, daytime temperatures are at their peak, and the long evenings give the best odds of a daytime kiwi encounter. March is a close second, with quieter huts as the school-holiday crowds disperse. As of 2026, DOC continues to operate the booking system year-round, but winter (May–September) brings short days, cold southerly fronts and unbridged streams that can rise quickly — experienced parties only. Whatever the month, check the forecast in Oban before setting out, as conditions on the island change fast.

Practical Information

Accommodation

The two trailside huts, Port William and North Arm, must be booked in advance through DOC during the Great Walk season. Each has bunks with mattresses, a water supply, toilets and a wood stove (firewood is flown in by helicopter). A hut night costs roughly €15–18 per adult; the three designated campsites at Maori Beach, Port William and North Arm cost around €3–4 per night. There are no cooking facilities at the huts, so you must carry a stove and fuel. In Oban you'll find a hotel, a backpackers' lodge and several B&Bs (from about €35 for a dorm bed) for the nights before and after the walk. Book huts early — summer dates fill months ahead.

Getting There & Back

The journey begins in Invercargill, served by Invercargill Airport with daily flights from Christchurch and Wellington. From Invercargill it is a 30-minute drive (35 km) to the port of Bluff, where a passenger ferry crosses Foveaux Strait to Oban in about 1 hour. Alternatively, a light aircraft flies Invercargill to Stewart Island in roughly 20 minutes. From Oban, the Lee Bay trailhead is a 5 km road walk or a short shuttle/taxi ride; a water taxi across Paterson Inlet can also drop you near North Arm to shorten the loop.

Permits & Fees

No separate permit is required to enter Rakiura National Park, but hut and campsite bookings are compulsory during the Great Walk season and act as your pass. Reserve through the official Department of Conservation booking service. Full details on stages, hut status and current fees are on the DOC Rakiura Track page, and bookings can be made via the DOC Great Walks portal. Always carry out all rubbish and respect the island's strict biosecurity rules to keep it predator-free.

Gear & Packing List

Rakiura is a wet, sea-level walk rather than an alpine one, so the priority is staying dry and comfortable rather than fighting cold and altitude. A reliable rain jacket and over-trousers are non-negotiable, along with a pack liner or dry bags, quick-drying layers and gaiters for the muddier stretches. Because you must carry a stove, fuel and three days of food, a comfortable 35–50 litre pack is ideal for most hikers. A lightweight option like the Abisko Hike 35 suits faster, lighter walkers, while the Atmos AG 50 or the ultralight 2400 Windrider give more room for a full three-day load. Don't skimp on insect repellent — the sandflies are legendary. For dialling in food weight against your daily energy needs, see our guide on how many calories you need hiking a full day, and if you're rethinking your pack entirely, our roundup of the best ultralight backpacks of 2026 is a good starting point.

Similar Trails You Might Like

If the Rakiura Track whets your appetite for New Zealand's Great Walks, the South Island offers several spectacular companions. The GW - 07 Milford Track trades coastal forest for glaciated valleys and the thundering Sutherland Falls, while the alpine GW - 08 Kepler Track near Te Anau delivers high tussock ridgelines and panoramic fiord views. For volcanic drama, the GW - 02 Tongariro Northern Circuit on the North Island circles steaming craters and emerald lakes. Further afield, hikers chasing dramatic mountain crossings often pair a New Zealand trip with the Theth to Valbona trail in Albania.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to hike the Rakiura Track?
February is the best month, falling in late summer when temperatures peak at 15–20 °C, daylight is long and tracks are at their firmest. March is nearly as good with thinner crowds. The official Great Walk season runs late October to April; expect rain in any month and avoid winter unless you are experienced with cold, short days.

How difficult is the Rakiura Track?
It is rated easy to moderate and is the gentlest of New Zealand's Great Walks. The trail stays near sea level with only about 720 m of total climb, mainly on the forested ridge of Day 2. Good gravelled surfacing keeps footing reliable, but persistent rain, mud and root-laced sections still demand sturdy boots and steady balance.

How many kilometres do you walk each day?
Over the standard three-day loop you cover roughly 8 km on Day 1 to Port William Hut, about 13 km on Day 2 to North Arm Hut, and around 11 km on Day 3 back to Fern Gully near Oban. Daily walking time ranges from three to six hours, leaving plenty of margin for wildlife watching and beach stops.

What accommodation is available on the trail?
Two DOC huts, Port William and North Arm, provide bunks, mattresses, water, toilets and wood stoves at around €15–18 per night. Three campsites at Maori Beach, Port William and North Arm cost roughly €3–4. There are no cooking facilities, so carry a stove. Book all huts and campsites in advance through DOC during the season.

Do I need a permit to hike the Rakiura Track?
No standalone permit is needed to enter Rakiura National Park, but compulsory hut or campsite bookings during the Great Walk season serve as your pass. Reserve through the Department of Conservation's official booking system well ahead, as summer dates sell out months in advance. Carry out all waste and follow the island's biosecurity rules.