BLUFF – STEWART ISLAND (RAKIURA TRACK)

Section Distance = 35 km

Total Distance = 1865 km

BLUFF – MAORI BEACH CAMP

A very foggy ferry crossing to Stewart Island to start the Rakiura Track (a little detour from the official TA route but I’ve walked this far I’m not going to miss such a beautiful island)

It was a short walk from the ferry terminal to Maori Beach Camp and I had high hopes of spotting a Kiwi 🤞

The rain is back! I stayed warm and dry in my tent but it did put a holt to my kiwi finding mission.

MAORI BEACH CAMP – OBAN 

The next morning dawned hot and muggy and revealed kiwi tracks on the beach… 

Finishing the remaining 26km in a day took me through more beautiful forest and led me back around to Oban for the night. The path was less muddy than I expected (especially after the Longwood Forest). 

Instead of the ferry I chose to fly back to Invercargill to continue my journey north (I got to sit up front with the pilot and it made my day!!!)

Although I didn’t have time to visit Ulva Island or go on further kiwi spotting adventures, I enjoyed my short introduction to Stewart Island and its fabulous forests. This is definitely a location I will be back to explore further! 

Next up… Te Araroa Part 15 and I’m heading back to the north island! Let the flip flopping continue…