Rakiura Track, New Zealand

The Rakiura Track is on New Zealand's Stewart Island so the first thing to do is decide how you are going to travel to the Island. You can choose to take a one hour ferry ride from Bluff or alternatively, a 20 minute flight from Invercargil will be slightly quicker.

Stewart Island, South
3 days
36 km

Bookings for huts and campsites are required

This Stewart Island New Zealand Great Walk is in the newest and furthest south national park in New Zealand, the Rakiura National Park. The track's open to be walked all year round and is suitable for most hikers that have a moderate level of fitness.

The name 'Rakiura', translates from Maori as 'The Land of Glowing Skies'. This is most likely due to the Southern Lights Aurora Australis or spectacular sunsets. Two other names given by the Maori are Te Puka a te Waka a Māui (The Anchor of Māui’s Canoe... a Maori Legend about the discovery of New Zealand by Māui). The other name from an earlier era was Motunui, meaning Large Island.

There are also a few short half or one day walks you can take on the Island if you don't want to do the full three day Rakiura Track walk.

New Zealand Great Walks

New Zealand National Parks

There is a visitor centre provided by the Department of Conservation at Halfmoon Bay, along with accommodation, a store, and post office. Bookings for huts and camp sites can be made with the DOC and the DOC website give information about the fees.

Track Maps

For free track maps covering all the New Zealand Great Walks visit my page on New Zealand Track Maps and each map is provided on the dedicated track pages linked against each walk above.

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Thank you for visiting Explore New Zealand :-) Author Caroline Ord-Hume