OUT PARTIES

Rakiura Great Walk - $660 SOLD OUT

Huts 5 nights / Oban 4 nights.

Northwest Party – $530  SOLD OUT

Huts 8 nights / Oban 1 night

Itinerary includes all parties with dates and distances

Rakiura Great Walk Party - $660

Huts 5 nights / Oban 4 nights.

Escape the hustle and bustle of the mainland for the tranquillity of the Rakiura Track. A coastal walk with views to rocky bays; big rimu/rata forest; a golden sands beach; some historic artefacts from logging days, big steam engines; Maori and European settlement sites; a chance to see kiwi in the wild and, of course, splendid views. Continue to Mason Bay Hut which comes highly recommended and exchange adventurous stories with the Southern Party for two nights. Catch a flight to Oban and celebrate the New Year with the Southern and Home Parties and explore short walks and possibly Ulva Island. Relax and catch your breath as you return to Auckland via Invercargill.

2 days - leisurely hike (moderate level of fitness). The track is well marked, the majority is gravel due to being soft and boggy in places, however, some sections may be steep/rough.  

Next 2 days are a little more difficult.  North Arm Hut to Freshwater Hut can be steep, slippery and arduous.  Freshwater Hut to Mason Bay can be flooded after heavy rain. 

You will need to carry 2 days of food on the Rakiura Track, then uplift 3 days of food and tent at Freshwater Hut on day 3.  Tents are required as we can only book Great Walk Huts (Port William  Hut and North Arm Hut).  All other huts are on a first come, first served basis.

2 nights with the Southern Party at Mason Bay Hut where you bring in the New Year.

4 nights at Stewart Island Backpackers with the Southern  and Home Parties.

Rakiura Great Walk = 32 kms

Days 1 - 4:           Grade = Easy 2 days. Grade = Medium 2 days; 4 – 7 hrs per day

Day 4:                  Meet Southern Party in Mason Bay for two nights

Day 6:                  Fly to Oban and meet the Home party

Days 7 – 9:          Day walks / excursions around Oban

Day 10:                Oban – Invercargill - Auckland

https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/southland/places/stewart-island-rakiura/rakiura-national-park/things-to-do/rakiura-track/

Maps   Online / Printable/ GPS 

To access the printable maps, download the zipped file, and either:

• open the zipped file, then drag the files to a new location OR
• press and hold (or right-click) the zipped file, select Extract All, and then follow the instructions

Rakiura Great Walk COSTS include

• Great Hut tickets x 2 nights
• Cooker fuel
• Food and tent drop off
• Stewart Island Backpackers x 4 nights
• Return flights Invercargill - Stewart Is

NOT included in the costs:

• Flights: Auckland/Invercargill/Auckland are NOT included
• DOC hut tickets (exclusive of the Great Walk Huts, DOC huts = $5 per night)
• Additional side trips i.e. kayaking, scenic flights and day tours including Ulva Island

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North West Party – $530  SOLD OUT

Clockwise and Anticlockwise parties

Huts 8 nights / Oban 1 night

This is NOT suitable for novices. "The North West Circuit is like Abel Tasman on steroids"

You will need to be fit, well equipped and experienced. It is hardwork

You will need to carry all food and tent for 8 days.  Tents are required as we can only book Great Walk Huts (Port William  Hut and North Arm Hut).  All other huts are on a first come, first served basis.

• Mud is widespread and often deep and thick on the tracks, regardless of the season
• Walking: extra time should be allowed for adverse conditions.
• Track and weather conditions can constantly change and can be extreme.

It offers a rare opportunity to walk for several days, without the intrusion of civilisation, along a natural coastline with rugged granite coastline, sand dunes, rimu forests, boulder beaches and hopefully a vacant DOC hut at the end of the day! 

End with one night at Mason Bay before flying to Oban where the rest of the North Shore Tramping Club await news of your adventures . Relax and catch your breath as you return to Auckland via Invercargill.

North West Party = 88.5 kms

Day 1 - 8:             Grade = Hard, 4 – 8 hrs per day

Day 9:                  Fly to Oban and meet up with the NSTC members

Day 10:                Oban – Invercargill – Auckland

https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/southland/places/stewart-island-rakiura/rakiura-national-park/things-to-do/north-west-circuit-stewart-island-rakiura/

Maps   Online/ Printable/ GPS

To access the printable maps, download the zipped file, and either:

• open the zipped file, then drag the files to a new location OR
• press and hold (or right-click) the zipped file, select Extract All, and then follow the instructions

North West Party COSTS include

• Cooker fuel
• Great Hut ticket x 1 night
• Flight from Mason Bay to Oban
• Stewart Island Backpackers x 1 night
• Return flights Invercargill - Stewart Island

 NOT included in the costs:

• Flights: Auckland/Invercargill/Auckland are NOT included
• DOC hut tickets @ 5/night (other than 1 x night in the Great Walk Hut)
• Rakiura DOC offer 10 nights hut tickets for $35

• Backcountry Hut Pass 12 month pass $122 ($85.40 - 30% discount for FMC members)

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