Stewart Island Part 2 - Rakiura Tramp

The Rakiura track begins here at Lee Bay where you walk through the links of a giant chain sculpture which reflects the role Stewart Island has in Maori legend as the anchor stone of Maui's canoe when he fished up the North Island and his canoe became the South Island:

A bit of humour:

At Maori Bay this boiler is the last relic of an old sawmill, many of which once dotted the island's coastline:

Today the beach is a tranquil spot on Port William bay:

The hut at Port William sits on the site of a barracks built in 1873 for a group of Shetlanders who were brought here to begin a new settlement. They had little support and left within a year. Had an entertaining eveing with an American family, Ives, a Swiss guy and 11 women on a girls' weekend away from kids and husbands:

The old wharf sometimes sees visitors from passing boats:

On the second day the track climbs to a lookout tower with views here back towards Port William:

Got to the North Arm hut quite early so walked on to Sawdust Bay where there were hundreds of oyster catchers:

That evening some people gathered and cooked mussels, adding shells to the midden which may intrigue future archaeologists. Some lovely skies that night:

Heavy rain early the night morning, but it had passed by the time I left the hut. Only found out about the tsunami warning once back at the youth hostel! That night I headed to the South Sea Hotel bar and Ives and I joined the American family to make a team for the weekly quiz - we came third!

The next day I took the high speed catamaran ferry back to Bluff - a strong wind was blowing and we fairly bounced around!

Now in Invercargill and heading for Dunedin tomorrow.