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Stewart Island

Stewart Island, also known as Rakiura, is the island setting for the Rakiura Track, whose circuit crosses exposed coast, rimu and kāmahi forest, and the sheltered waters of Paterson Inlet/Whaka a Te Wera.

Maori Beach with native forest and coastline on the Rakiura Track.
Photo by AlasdairW Source: Wikimedia Commons Licence: CC BY-SA 3.0
The place

What makes it special

  • The circuit links coast, forest and the waters of Paterson Inlet/Whaka a Te Wera.
  • Oban is the practical base described for planning the track.
Lee Bay
Photo by AlasdairW Source: Wikimedia Commons Licence: CC BY-SA 3.0
Hiking boots and gaiters on a muddy forest trail.
Photo by Christoph Strässler from Oberdorf BL, Schweiz Source: Wikimedia Commons Licence: CC BY-SA 2.0
Travel atlas

Articles in Stewart Island

Guides to this place

1 article

Stewart Island

journal.travel Editorial

Guides to this place

1 related guides

Rakiura Track entrance at Lee Bay with the chain-link sculpture and coast.

Rakiura Track: three days of forest, coast and island logistics

The Rakiura Track combines a multi-day hike with the changing logistics of an island: mandatory bookings, mud, tides and an easy start from Oban.

Read guide →
Information in context

Sources and references

This profile summarises our destination guides. Their research sources and the geographical reference are listed below.

Profile updated: 29/09/2026