Rakiura Track

Rakiura Track is a 32 km hiking route through Stewart Island/Rakiura, suited to hikers who want island forest and coastal walking terrain and a clear…

Route overview

A multi-stage route through Stewart Island/Rakiura, with highlights including Stewart Island, beaches, forest, birdlife.

Rakiura Track gives hikers a structured way to experience Stewart Island/Rakiura over several days. The route is best approached as a staged hike, with planning attention on permits, accommodation, weather, navigation and daily distance. For BuddieHikes, it is a strong candidate because the trail is long enough or remote enough to benefit from a hiking partner, while still being understandable as a clear route objective.

Rakiura Track is a 32 km hiking route through Stewart Island/Rakiura, suited to hikers who want island forest and coastal walking terrain and a clear multi-day objective.

Trail facts

Country
New Zealand
Region
Stewart Island/Rakiura
Distance
32 km
Typical duration
3 days
Difficulty
Moderate
Elevation gain
Not specified
Best season
October to April
Trail type
Great Walk

Access and logistics

Bookings
Book accommodation, huts, campsites or required permits ahead in peak season.

Safety context

Check tide exposure, wind, cliff-edge sections and escape options before committing to each stage.

Highlights

Stewart Island beaches forest birdlife

Why find a buddy

This route is well suited to finding a hiking buddy because the distance, logistics and multi-day structure are easier and safer to manage with someone who has a similar pace and planning style.

Primary source

Open the primary route source.

Explore and prepare

Discover hikes by intent, read the hiking guides, review hiking safety, prepare a BuddyPack, or browse hiking plans.

Route conditions, access, services and transport can change. Verify time-sensitive information before departure.

Open the interactive BuddieHikes trail guide