Rakiura
Track
Stewart Island National Park
Many centuries ago Maori came by canoe
to the island to harvest shellfish and mutton
birds, traditions still carried out today
by local iwi. They named the island Rakiura
- 'Land of the Glowing Skies' as it is renowned
for its lingering sunsets of summer and
the Aurora Australis or Southern Lights.
The Rakiura Track is one of New Zealand's
Great Walks. The loop track traverses country
with a rich diversity of trees, ferns, and
perching orchids. Along the way visit many
historical sites with the chance to see
a variety of sea and forest birds. The circuit
follows the coast, climbs over a 300 metre
high forested ridge, and skirts the sheltered
shores of Paterson Inlet.
Stewart Island Brown Kiwi
- Apteryx Australis Lawyri
The Maori name is Tokoeka - "Weka with
a stick".
Our four day all inclusive guided walk
starts in Invercargill with a short flight
to Halfmoon Bay and your first night. Next
morning we walk through the "chain" around
Lee Bay and Maori Beach to Port William
Hut for the night. Climbing across the summit
ridge we reach the North Arm Hut sited on
the shore of Paterson Inlet.
The last day takes us around the shores of Paterson Inlet emerging
at the sheltered bays of Kidney Fern Arm and Kaipipi Bay, following
the former Kaipipi Road back to Halfmoon Bay. Return to Invercargill
in the evening. |
