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Stuart does Stewart Island. So to speak.
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What better to celebrate finishing trekking 3,000km than by trekking 130km in 3 days rather than the recommended 9 to 11 days? Pictures from the North West Circuit around Stewart Island. Here’s a view over Paterson’s Inlet
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The route takes in some incredible beaches. Here’s Mason Bay on the west coast. Travelling west from here and you wouldn’t hit anything until Argentina!
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Looking over Mason Bay from Mason Head
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Little Hellfire Beach
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The view south looking back over Little Hellfire Beach
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Magic or not, I’m not touching them or eating them. Fungi on the north West circuit between Hellfire and East Ruggedy huts
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Something made me admire the determination of this young German hiker. Something also made me laugh at him. A lot. He’d got 80km still to go...
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Driftwood on Waituna Bay
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Luzia enjoying the freedom of a run around without pack on West Ruggedy Beach
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West Ruggedy Beach near the end of a tough day. From Freshwater Hut at 0500 to East Ruggedy Hut at 1900. Most people take three days to complete this section and go the easier direction of south.
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West Ruggedy Beach near the end of a tough day. From Freshwater Hut at 0500 to East Ruggedy Hut at 1900. Most people take three days to complete this section and go the easier direction of south.
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West Ruggedy Beach near the end of a tough day. From Freshwater Hut at 0500 to East Ruggedy Hut at 1900. Most people take three days to complete this section and go the easier direction of south.
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Kiwi tracks. A promising and exiting start to the day. These on the dunes near East Ruggedy Beach
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The view back south over East Ruggedy Beach and the Rugged Islands
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BINGO! Kiwis 3, 4 & 5 of our trip. After hearing several & seeing tracks we are treated to great views & close ups of the Southern Brown Kiwi / Stewart Island Kiwi / Tokoeka / Apteryx australis lawryi. The biggest kiwi & active in daylight. ~5,000 remain
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BINGO! Kiwis 3, 4 & 5 of our trip. After hearing several & seeing tracks we are treated to great views & close ups of the Southern Brown Kiwi / Stewart Island Kiwi / Tokoeka / Apteryx australis lawryi. The biggest kiwi & active in daylight. ~5,000 remain
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BINGO! Kiwis 3, 4 & 5 of our trip. After hearing several & seeing tracks we are treated to great views & close ups of the Southern Brown Kiwi / Stewart Island Kiwi / Tokoeka / Apteryx australis lawryi. The biggest kiwi & active in daylight. ~5,000 remain
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BINGO! Kiwis 3, 4 & 5 of our trip. After hearing several & seeing tracks we are treated to great views & close ups of the Southern Brown Kiwi / Stewart Island Kiwi / Tokoeka / Apteryx australis lawryi. The biggest kiwi & active in daylight. ~5,000 remain
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The sun slowly coming up over the north of the island
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Progress over this unnamed Beach was slow going but it didn’t matter
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Beautiful views back over Long Harry bay
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Smoky Beach came and went far too quickly
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Smoky Beach came and went far too quickly
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Looking back over Smoky Beach before Yankee River Hut
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Murray Beach. Our own private beach for the night after another long day from East Ruggedy Hut at 0645 to Murray River Campsite 2030. Normally 3 1/2 days waking...
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Most places are quiet this early, Big Bungaree Beach was no exception
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Maori Beach near the end of 3 days challenging, demanding & completely glorious hiking. 130km over rubbish trails that normally takes 9 to 11 days. The TA had made us physically and mentally fit and tough. Only other people to do it this quick run it
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Back in Oban for a couple of days rest. The only true settlement on Stewart Island and has a permanent population under 400
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Ackers Point. At least the sunset turned up, unlike the blue eyed penguins or sooty shearwaters
