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Time: 3 days, 36km round trip
The Rakiura Track can be comfortably tramped in three days.
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.
Feature | Value | Info |
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Organisation |
DOC SouthlandCentral government organisation |
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Location |
South Island ▷ Stewart Island ▷ Halfmoon Bay |
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Categories |
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Directions To Coordinates |
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Coordinates |
Feature | Value | Info |
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Track Duration |
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Track DurationHow long does it take to walk this track on average? 8+ hours (incl overnight) These walks generally have overnight options. And often the track's end point is different from the start point. |
Track Difficulty |
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Track DifficultyConsidering the track's terrain, safety, facilities - how hard is this walk to complete? Easy walk |
Payment Requirement |
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Payment RequirementIs there a cost for this experience or is it free? Free access/participation The experience costs no money to access or take part in. |
Track Length |
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Track LengthWhat is the physical length of this track? 20km and Beyond |
DOC Track Category |
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DOC Track CategoryWhat type of category does this walking track fall into (as defined by the NZ Department of Conservation)? Great walk/Easy tramping track Moderate day or multi-day tramping/hiking. Track is generally well formed, may be steep, rough or muddy. Suitable for people with moderate fitness. Limited backcountry (remote areas) experience required. Track has signs, poles or markers. Major stream and rivers crossings are bridged. Light tramping/hiking boots required. |
Track Accommodation |
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Track AccommodationWhat type of accommodation is available on this walking track? Hut & Campsite At least one campsite and building is available on this track to stay at overnight. |
Track Managing Organisation |
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Track Managing OrganisationWhat type of organisation operates this walking track? DOC Managed This track is managed by the Department of Conservation. DOC is a New Zealand government organisation. |
Amazing.
Track leads mostly to forest.
Three day hike, a look track.
I did the walk in three days.
Nice relaxing track.
Rating | Count | Percentage | |
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10/10 | 10 |
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40% |
9/10 | 4 |
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16% |
8/10 | 7 |
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28% |
7/10 | 4 |
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16% |
6/10 | 0 |
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0% |
5/10 | 0 |
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0% |
4/10 | 0 |
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0% |
3/10 | 0 |
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0% |
2/10 | 0 |
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0% |
1/10 | 0 |
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0% |
5.0/5
Beautiful walk, secluded, full of wildlife, peaceful and beyond expectations.
Special thanks to the DOC ranger at Port William Campsite who was very helpful and friendly. The campsite itself was unique and charming. Only tip, maybe better indications from sites to the track.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in January 2017
4.0/5
Great walk, only quite muddy due to a lot of rain before and during the second day.
more signs would be welcomed, otherwise nice rangers, beautiful huts and campground.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in December 2016
4.5/5
We did the Rakiura Track in three days, stayed on the Northern Arm Campsite and in the Port Williams Hut.
The track was amazing. We enjoyed the primary forest the little rivers and the unique birdlife during the way. We even heard a Kiwi at night! Highly recommended, just a few more signs for the orientation would be good!
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in December 2016
4.0/5
Nice track but the first camping ground in the bush is not well equipped.
The cheapest Great Walk and a beautiful one.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in October 2016
5.0/5
Three day hike, a look track.
First day to Maori Beach is beautiful, amazing forest, we stayed at North Arm Hut, third day we had a mixture of forest and scenery. Very impressed with the clean hut.
Reviewed about 8 years ago and experienced in March 2016
5.0/5
A three day hike, book campsites or huts before you get your ferry across as they could be booked up already.
Well maintained track, some parts are muddy. Sandflies. Maori Beach is my favourite place. Beautiful.
Reviewed about 8 years ago and experienced in March 2016
5.0/5
The tracks on this island are beautiful and easy to do.
You can have a beautiful view of the beach and small towns along the road.
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in January 2016
5.0/5
I did the walk in three days.
Good place to spot a kiwi! Saw one in the morning!
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in March 2016
4.5/5
Very nice and quiet place.
We chose this track as our first three day track and it was a good choice. Not that hard, can listen to heaps of birds and spot a kiwi - we spotted two of them.
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in March 2016
3.5/5
Track leads mostly to forest.
We went for the shorter track which is best for beginners. Nice and lovely location where we saw a Kiwi!
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in March 2016
5.0/5
Very nice Great Walk with very good chance to see Kiwi in the wild.
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in February 2016
5.0/5
Beautiful walk, secluded, full of wildlife, peaceful and beyond expectations.
Special thanks to the DOC ranger at Port William Campsite who was very helpful and friendly. The campsite itself was unique and charming. Only tip, maybe better indications from sites to the track.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in January 2017
4.0/5
Great walk, only quite muddy due to a lot of rain before and during the second day.
more signs would be welcomed, otherwise nice rangers, beautiful huts and campground.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in December 2016
4.5/5
We did the Rakiura Track in three days, stayed on the Northern Arm Campsite and in the Port Williams Hut.
The track was amazing. We enjoyed the primary forest the little rivers and the unique birdlife during the way. We even heard a Kiwi at night! Highly recommended, just a few more signs for the orientation would be good!
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in December 2016
4.0/5
Nice track but the first camping ground in the bush is not well equipped.
The cheapest Great Walk and a beautiful one.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in October 2016
5.0/5
Three day hike, a look track.
First day to Maori Beach is beautiful, amazing forest, we stayed at North Arm Hut, third day we had a mixture of forest and scenery. Very impressed with the clean hut.
Reviewed about 8 years ago and experienced in March 2016
5.0/5
A three day hike, book campsites or huts before you get your ferry across as they could be booked up already.
Well maintained track, some parts are muddy. Sandflies. Maori Beach is my favourite place. Beautiful.
Reviewed about 8 years ago and experienced in March 2016
5.0/5
The tracks on this island are beautiful and easy to do.
You can have a beautiful view of the beach and small towns along the road.
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in January 2016
5.0/5
I did the walk in three days.
Good place to spot a kiwi! Saw one in the morning!
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in March 2016
4.5/5
Very nice and quiet place.
We chose this track as our first three day track and it was a good choice. Not that hard, can listen to heaps of birds and spot a kiwi - we spotted two of them.
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in March 2016
3.5/5
Track leads mostly to forest.
We went for the shorter track which is best for beginners. Nice and lovely location where we saw a Kiwi!
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in March 2016
5.0/5
Very nice Great Walk with very good chance to see Kiwi in the wild.
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in February 2016
5.0/5
Easy three day track, beaches (freezing!), bush, lots of very funny bird song, muddy in some places, but not an issue if only three days on the track.
Reviewed over 8 years ago
5.0/5
Well prepared track, nice huts, variable landscape, beautiful views.
Reviewed over 9 years ago
4.5/5
Nice relaxing track.
We did it in 3 days, if you are fit, you can do it in 2 too.
If you camp, you can stay at the first campsite (Maori Beach, a beautiful loooong beach), but it's such a short first day (3h or so), so we decided to stay at the next one next to the first hut, and we were happy we did, because it was even nicer :)
First day coastal track, from second day on more inland, through nice bush.
Apparently theeee chance to see kiwi in the wild. Haven't seen one there unfortunately (but did on the halfmoon bay track on Stewart Island). Good luck!
Reviewed over 11 years ago and experienced in November 2012
4.0/5
Easy track and nice views to the sea (if the weather is good).
Reviewed over 11 years ago and experienced in April 2012
4.0/5
No swing bridges left, but great.
Reviewed about 13 years ago and experienced in March 2011
3.5/5
3-day walk, 37km.
The middle day is only in the bush and not as interesting as the 1st and 3rd day. Nice camping grounds. Good chance to spot a kiwi bird.
Reviewed over 13 years ago
4.0/5
Muddy in places (under repair).
Beautiful rainforest. North Arm Hut very basic (toilets unpleasant) but Port William Hut good.
Reviewed over 13 years ago
5.0/5
Especially the first day is great, beautiful beaches, great nature, good facilities at huts, best place of huts at Port Willis hut.
Reviewed over 13 years ago
4.0/5
Thought we'd water taxi to Mason Bay but tides were all wrong - couldn't check in advance.
Tramped to Port William hut instead & spent night listening to snorers & talkers.
Reviewed over 14 years ago
4.0/5
3 day track.
Huts are fine. Scenery is very beautiful. Track is a bit muddy, especially the second half needs a few more boardwalks. We think it is worth the effort to go there.
Reviewed over 14 years ago and experienced in January 2010
3.5/5
The walk is less scenic than I expected, but still I love Stewart Island but might do something else.
NOTE: that ferry to Stewart Island is deadly!! So rough (25ft waves)!
Reviewed over 14 years ago and experienced in November 2009
3.5/5
Did part of the coast track as a day walk.
Very easy, very pleasant.
Reviewed over 14 years ago