Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Follow day one of the Rakiura Track, to Port William Hut (
Click here
)
.
Day 2: Port William to Bungaree Hut
3-4 HOURS, 6KM
Return along the trail over the small hump to the main track, and head north. Climb a small
saddle, cross a bridge to
Sawyers Beach
and then head inland. The famous mud-bashing of
Rakiura now begins.
After 40 minutes of slipping and sliding you are rewarded with a view of the Titi (Mut-
tonbird) Islands to the east. It's 3km through the bush before the track begins a steady drop
to
Little Bungaree Beach
.
From the beach you cross a small headland and descend to
Big Bungaree Beach
, follow-
ing the golden curve of sand for 1km to the hut at the far end. Bungaree Hut (16 bunks) is a
splendid spot to rest after a relatively short tramping day.
Day 3: Bungaree Hut to Christmas Village Hut
6 HOURS, 11.5KM
The track resumes climbing from the hut, crossing a series of hills and gullies as it works its
way inland across
Gull Rock Point
. After 3km the track descends sharply onto
Murray
Beach
for a 2km stretch of golden sand. This is a good spot for a swim, although the sand-
flies will likely prevent any languid sunbathing.
Sawmilling was undertaken in the 1900s and a number of tramways were built to remove
timber. The main track heads along one of them for 1km, then undulates and crosses numer-
ous streams.
In 3.5km you pass a spur track which you should climb over to the bridged stream on the
northern side. Near the pebbled beach just north of Christmas Village Bay is Christmas Vil-
lage Hut (12 bunks). From this point on the track gets progressively harder - if you have
concerns then this is a good point to return to Oban.
SIDE TRIP: MT ANGLEM/HANANUI
6-7 HOURS, 11KM RETURN, 800M ASCENT
Some trampers pause a day at Christmas Village Hut in order to climb
Mt Anglem/Hananui
(980m), the highest point on Rakiura. The junction to the well-defined summit track is
500m beyond the hut. The track starts out muddy and pretty much stays that way most of
the climb. Less than 30 minutes from the top you reach a subalpine meadow where you can
