Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
side, you get to end each day with a communal and often convivial washing of boots, socks
and feet in the huts' outside sinks.
There are several ways to shorten the tramp, the most popular of which is to arrange col-
lection by water taxi at Freshwater Landing, shaving off two days of challenging and not
particularly scintillating inland tramping. If you can get away reasonably early it is possible
to combine days one and two by walking from Oban straight to Bungaree Hut (seven to
eight hours). Be aware, though, that your packs will be at their heaviest with 10 to 11 days'
worth of food supplies.
Super-eager, experienced trampers might like to consider adding the
Southern Circuit
, an
extra 56km, a challenging route branching off between Mason Bay and Freshwater Hut.
This means you skip day nine of the route described below.
8
Planning
The huts on this tramp, with the exception of the Rakiura Great Walk huts (Port William and
Hut Pass. A North West Circuit Pass ($35) is also available, providing for a night in each of
the backcountry huts.
line at
www.greatwalks.co.nz
or in person at the National Park Visitor Centre in Oban.
Make sure you print the confirmation letter of your booking and carry it with you.
8
Getting to/from the Tramp
The North West Circuit begins and ends in Oban. It can be shortened with water-taxi trans-
port, dropping off or picking up at various huts along the way.
Stewart Island Water Taxi
(
03-219 1394, 0800 469 283;
www.portofcall.co.nz
)
takes trampers to Port William Hut ($50),
North Arm Hut ($50), Freshwater Landing ($55), Bungaree Hut ($65), Christmas Village
Hut ($95) and even Yankee River Hut ($145). Other water-taxi operators are
Rakiura Water
03-219 1066;
www.aihe.co.nz
)
.
The Tramp
Day 1: Oban to Port William
4-5 HOURS, 13KM
