#Nocturnal wonderland showers series#

If you prefer not to walk from Oban, shuttles can be used for drop-offs at Lee Bay or water taxis can be used for access to Rakiura Track huts.Īccess to North Arm hut by boat is dependent on tides.

The Fern Gully car park, 2 km beyond the Rakiura National Park Visitor Centre, which is located on Main Road in Oban.

#Nocturnal wonderland showers series#

Follow this main coastal road over a series of hills to Horseshoe Bay, then on to Lee Bay.

If walking from the DOC visitor centre in Oban, turn right and walk down Main Road. Turn left into Elgin Terrace, past the supermarket, and up the hill. The official entrance to Rakiura National Park at Lee Bay, 5 km from Oban.The Rakiura Track can be walked in either direction, starting from two locations: To make multiple bookings for facilities/services on behalf of customers, you must obtain permission or an agent agreement from DOC. To do this, email: Getting to the start of the Rakiura Track Guided groups: To operate a commercial activity in an area managed by DOC, you need to apply for a concession (an official permit), in addition to any bookings you would need to make. It is another 2 km along the road (turn left into Main Rd) to get back to Oban township. The track between Kaipipi and Halfmoon Bays follows the former Kaipipi Road, in its heyday the most used and best maintained on the island. At Kaipipi Bay two sawmills employed more than 100 people in the 1860s. The track continues through rimu and kamahi dominated forest emerging at the sheltered bays of Kidney Fern Arm and Kaipipi Bay.

The track sidles around the headland from North Arm to Sawdust Bay.It passes a sawmill site which was operated between 19. This section of track provides trampers access to the shores of Paterson Inlet. Some people also prefer to use tramping poles along this section.Ī campsite, with shelter and toilet, is sited above North Arm Hut. Gaiters are recommended as the mud can reach above footwear level. The muddy areas can be up to 500 m long and also muddy in smaller sections. Very muddy partsĭuring long periods of rain the track can get so muddy that the mud goes above boot height. Remnants of milling activity are seen along the track as it follows old tramlines for the logs being directed to their various destinations. The track passes through a variety of vegetation including previously milled and virgin podocarp forest. Trampers usually stay the night at Port William Hut and then backtrack the 40 minutes to the turn-off. This section of track starts on the hill between Maori Beach and Port William. Port William Hut is just a few minutes beyond the campsite. Turn right and you will gradually drop down to the campsite above Magnetic Beach in Port William/Potirepo. Maori Beach campsite is situated in a grassy clearing close to the beach.Ī larger bridge spans the tidal stream at the northern end of the beach and from here the track climbs a small hill and continues on to the intersection with the track to North Arm. A track leading to a rusting steam boiler, a relic from the sawmilling days, can be found just few minutes on from the turn-off to this bridge. The creek at the southern end of Maori Beach can easily be waded at low tide, however at high tide, continue along the track until you come to a small foot bridge. At low tide it is possible to walk around the beach and pick up the track at the point.įrom there the track heads around Peter’s Point and on to Maori Beach. Passing through the chain link sculpture at Lee Bay, the track follows the coast to Little River, which is crossed by a bridge. Oban township to Lee Bayĭistance: 5 km Lee Bay to Port William Hut When camping, you may not use hut facilities, but a cooking shelter, water supply and toilet are provided at each site. Camping is only allowed at these designated campsites.

The campsites are not adjacent to the huts.

Wander through beautiful native forests.Įxplore on Google Street View | Watch videos Places to stay.

Immerse yourself in history, from early Māori settlement sites to sawmilling relics.

Listen out for the Rakiura tokoeka/kiwi calling or look for its footprints.

Parts of it cross Māori land and access is courtesy of the owners. It passes sites of historical interest and introduces many of the common sea and forest birds of the island. The circuit follows open coastline, crosses forested interior and meanders along the sheltered shores of Paterson Inlet.