119 Lee Bay Road, Halfmoon Bay, Southland
A ‘great walk’ for several reasons, the Rakiura Track boasts not only spectacular scenery and the benefits of isolation but also the bonus of being graded an ‘easy’ tramp. Features of this Great Walk are an abundance of native birds, both of the bush and the sea, pristine podocarp forests, and some second growth with signposted relics of the milling days along the way.
Like the other nine great walks, it is blessed with two very good standard of Department of Conservation Huts along the 3 day route, but many choose to camp at the three designated sites, avoiding fees and others in the summer months.
The leg from Lee Bay to Port William is reported to be gentle, with two campsites and the first hut at the end of a three plus hour walk, spanning primarily tidal and beach areas. The middle section of the track between Port William and North Arm is a more strenuous 13km or six hours, with a hut and campsite at North Arm. From there, the four hour or 11km route is along the old sawmilling road through Sawdust Bay and Kaipipi Bay, finishing at Fern Gully carpark which is only 2km from Oban township.
Being the southernmost of the Great Walks, and coastal in most parts, Raikura Track can of course be subject to rapid weather changes and trampers need to remain vigilant in their preparations and travels regardless of the civilised form of the track. Do see the Department of Conservation site forbookings and rules.
![Stewart Island: Rakiura National Park](http://www.fishpond.co.nz/affiliate_show_banner.php?ref=1323&affiliate_pbanner_id=97127040)
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