Rakiura Track facts for kids
The Rakiura Track is a famous walking path in New Zealand. It is located on Stewart Island, which is part of Rakiura National Park. This track is about 32 kilometers (20 miles) long and forms a big loop. It is one of New Zealand's special "Great Walks." Most people take three days to walk the whole track, but some finish it faster, in one or two days.
Contents
Exploring the Track
The Rakiura Track has two main starting and ending points. One end is at Lee Bay, which is about 5 kilometers north of Oban. Oban is the only town on Stewart Island. The other end of the track is at Fern Gully, about 2 kilometers west of Oban.
Which Way to Walk?
You can walk the track in either direction. However, most people choose to walk it "anticlockwise." This means they start at Lee Bay and go around the loop from there. You can get a ride from Oban to the start or end points, or you can even walk along the roads if you prefer.
What You'll See on the Path
For much of its length, the Rakiura Track follows the beautiful coastline. You will pass by small inlets, large bays, and muddy areas. In the middle part of the track, you will walk over steep hills. These hills are covered in thick native forest, which New Zealanders call "bush."
Many parts of the track have gravel laid down. This helps keep the path from getting too muddy. Stewart Island has peaty soil and gets a lot of rain, so without the gravel, the track would be very wet. The track is usually well-kept and is considered easy to medium in difficulty.
Spotting Wildlife
One of the most exciting things about walking the Rakiura Track is the chance to see a kiwi in its natural home! Kiwis are shy, flightless birds that are special to New Zealand. The type of kiwi you might see on Stewart Island is called the southern brown kiwi (Apteryx australis). It's a rare opportunity to see these amazing birds in the wild.
Staying Overnight
If you plan to walk the Rakiura Track over a few days, you will need places to stay overnight. There are two huts and several campsites along the track.
Huts and Campsites
The two huts are located at Port William and North Arm. Many hikers stay at one hut each night. There are also campsites at Maori Beach, Port William, and North Arm. Both the huts and campsites have toilets and a water supply. The huts also have bunk beds and mattresses for sleeping.
What to Bring
When you go, remember to bring your own toilet paper, as it is not provided. There are no cooking facilities at the huts or campsites, so you should bring your own camping stove and cooking gear. You can buy gas canisters and other supplies in Oban before you start your walk.
The huts are supplied with firewood, which is brought in by helicopter. This is because there are no roads to the huts. Hikers are not allowed to cut down trees for firewood. It is very important to book your spot at the huts and campsites in advance, especially during busy times.
Track History
The Rakiura Track became even more famous in November 2015 when it was added to Google Street View. This means people from all over the world can explore parts of the track virtually!
