Stewart Island has so much to offer trampers. With over 280km’s of walking tracks, it has tramping destinations for the most adventurous to the most leisurely adventurer.
Here Kiwi outnumber residents, so there’s a high likelihood you might see one on an overnight tramp. The majority of the Island has been declared a National Park and much of it is only accessible by foot, or by water taxi, which is where we come in.
With so much to choose from, and such a large area to explore, water taxi travel is the way to get to the start of your walking adventure.
Some of the most popular multi-day trips include; Rakiura Track / Great Walk, Coast to Coast, North West Circuit, and the Southern Circuit.
See below for more info on how we can get you there, and a map with various tramping destinations and huts indicated to give you the lay of the land.
Tramping Destinations by Water Taxi
Rakiura Track / Great Walk
Port William
This hut connects to North Arm Hut, & following North West Circuit huts
Walking time:
From Lee Bay road end, 3 – 4 h
From Half Moon Bay main village, 4h 30m – 5h 30m
Water taxi transfers:
30m one way trip (minimum time in fine weather)
From $70 per person
North Arm Hut
Connects to Freshwater River Hut, & Port William Hut
Walking time:
From Fern Gully road end, 4h – 4h 30m
From Half Moon Bay main village, 4h 45m – 5h 15m
Water taxi transfers:
30m one way trip (minimum time in fine weather, includes beach landing)
From $70 per person
Coast to Coast
Freshwater River
Connects to Masons Bay Hut, North-Arm Hut, & Fred’s Camp Hut
Walking time:
From Half Moon Bay main village, 11h – 12h
Water taxi transfers:
40m one way trip (minimum time in fine weather)
From $75 per person
*Tide dependent
North West Circuit
Freshwater River
Connects to Masons Bay Hut, North-Arm Hut, & Fred’s Camp Hut.
Walking time:
From Half Moon Bay main village, 11h – 12h
Water taxi transfers:
40m one way trip (minimum time in fine weather)
From $75 per person
*Tide dependent
Port William
Connects to North Arm Hut, & following North West Circuit huts
Walking time:
From Lee Bay road end, 3 – 4 h
From Half Moon Bay main village, 4h 30m – 5h 30m
Water taxi transfers:
30m one way trip (minimum time in fine weather)
From $70 per person
Christmas Village
Connects to further North West Circuit huts. Closest hut to the start of the Mt Anglem/Hananui summit track.
Walking time:
From Lee Bay road end, 11h 30m – 12h 30m
From Half Moon Bay main village, 13h – 14h
Water taxi transfers:
1h 15m one way trip (minimum time in fine weather, includes dinghy transfer to landing without wharf)
From $130 per person
Southern Circuit
Fred’s Camp
Connects to Rakeahua Hut, & Freshwater Hut
Walking time:
From Fern Gully road end, 10h – 11h 30m
From Half Moon Bay main village, 11h – 12h
Water taxi transfers:
30m (minimum time in fine weather)
From $65 per person
Rakeahua Hut
Connects to Fred’s Camp, & Doughboy Hut
Walking time:
From Fern Gully road end, 15h – 16h 30m
From Half Moon Bay main village, 16h – 17h
Water taxi transfers:
40m one way trip (minimum time in fine weather)
From $75 per person
*Tide dependent
Prices listed above include an allowance for one piece of baggage, i.e., one pack per tramper.