North West Circuit

Access

The track starts and ends at the settlement of Oban in Halfmoon Bay on Stewart Island. Boat transport is available to parts of the track on Paterson Inlet and the eastern coast, while a float plane services Mason Bay.

Summary

Rarely far from the coastline, the North West Circuit describes an arc about the northern granite landscape of Stewart Island before cutting back across the island from Mason Bay. The North West Circuit is notorious for deep mud and wetland travel.

The first and last days of the walk are shared with the Rakiura Track, and both Port William and North Arm Huts operate as Great Walks Huts, with bookings required.

Shorter options include the Rakiura Track or a crossing to Mason Bay. 

The Southern Circuit is an extension to the North West Circuit that visits Doughboy Bay, Mount Rakeahua, and the South West Arm of Paterson Inlet. It is 65km, including the side trip up Rakeahua, and 30 hours or 4-5 days walk. The Southern Circuit may be walked on its own by first crossing to Mason Bay.

Halfmoon Bay to Port William: 12km, 4 hours

The road along the waterfront leads to Horseshoe Bay and the sculpture at Lee Bay that marks the edge of the national park. The Rakiura Track leads to Maori Beach and onward to the Port William Hut. The site is marked by tall eucalypts, a remnant from milling days.

Port William to Bungaree Hut: 6km, 3-4 hours

The track continues through forest and over a headland to Big Bungaree Beach. The hut is located at the northern end.

Bungaree Hut to Christmas Village Hut: 11.5km, 6 hours

The track leads to Murray Beach, and follows an old milling tramway into virgin forest,

Side trip: Mount Anglem, 11km, 6 hours return

From just north of Christmas Village Hut, this muddy track leads to the subalpine summit of Stewart Island's highest point, just 980m.

Christmas Village Hut to Yankee River Hut: 12km, 6 hours

The track bends westward with the coastline to Lucky Beach and into dense forest. 

Yankee River Hut to Long Harry Hut: 8.5km, 4-5 hours

The track crosses Black Rock Point to the sandhills of Smoky Beach, over a river and onward to the hut.

Long Harry Hut to East Ruggedy Hut: 9.5km, 6 hours

The track climbs onto Cave Point Ridge and down to the coastline. Soon, the track heads back inland to a lookout over the beach. The hut is located amongst sand dunes along a poled route.

East Ruggedy Hut to Big Hellfire Hut: 14km, 7 hours

The track drops onto West Ruggedy Beach and then passes inland around the Ruggedy Range. The hut is located on the way up to Hellfire Pass.

Big Hellfire Hut to Mason Bay Hut: 15km, 7 hours

Over the pass, the track descends to Little Hellfire Beach, over a bush saddle and down to Mason Bay. This section is difficult to traverse at high tide. At Duck Creek, the turn-off to Mason Bay Hut is marked.

Mason Bay Hut to Freshwater Landing: 15.5km, 3-4 hours

The track lease inland past Island Hill Homestead and scrub to the Freshwater River. This section is prone to flooding. 

Side trip: Rocky Mountain Track, 5km, 3 hours return

This track from the hut leads to rock outcrops in subalpine scrub, and panoramic views (549m). 

Freshwater Landing to North Arm Hut: 11km, 6-7 hours

Crossing the Thomson Ridge, the track leads into North Arm and sidles it to the hut, where two legs of the Rakiura track meet.

North Arm Hut to Halfmoon Bay: 12km, 5 hours

From the Hut, the Rakiura Track leads past Sawdust Bay to Prices Inlet and Kaipipi Bay, then on to Halfmoon Bay.