Rakiura National Park National Park

Address: Rakiura National Park, Stewart Island / Rakiura, New Zealand

Website: https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/otago/places/rakiura-national-park/

Admission: National Park entry included with Department of Conservation regional fees; some tracks require a DOC hut fee (NZD 6-24).

Rakiura National Park occupies large areas of Stewart Island / Rakiura in New Zealand and protects temperate rainforest, coastal ecosystems and offshore islands. The park is focused on conserving native flora and fauna and on providing backcountry walking and nature-based recreation.

Coastal tracks, beaches, native forest and birdlife, with opportunities for multi-day tramping such as the Rakiura Track and for day walks near the main settlement of Oban. The park is valued for its remoteness and for populations of species that are rare on the North and South Islands.

The protected area was created to conserve the island’s ecosystems and has been managed to reduce introduced predators and preserve native habitats. Stewart Island / Rakiura lies south of New Zealand’s South Island; regular ferry and small-air services connect the island to Bluff and Invercargill on the South Island.

• Hiking: Home to the Rakiura Track, a multi-day hiking route that crosses coastal forest and beaches and is managed by New Zealand’s Department of Conservation.
• Wildlife: Noted for relatively intact native birdlife, including nocturnal species that are more common here than on New Zealand’s two main islands.

Regular ferry services operate from Bluff to Oban (Stewart Island), a 45-minute to 1.5-hour crossing depending on vessel. Small scheduled flights also run from Invercargill to Oban. Once on the island, most tracks are accessed from Oban / Golden Bay.

• Take the Stewart Island Great Walk (Rakiura Track) counterclockwise to catch most bird activity in the mornings.
• Book ferry or flight to Oban (Halfmoon Bay) from Invercargill in advance during summer; accommodation fills early on weekends.
• Bring a headlamp for hut stays; DOC huts on the island are basic but have excellent placement for dawn chorus.