South Coast Track, New Zealand: Get Off the Beaten Path
Fiordland National Park in New Zealand is renowned for its natural beauty. Is there a multi-day trek that still keeps its secrets? According to us, it is South Coast Track, that we consider as an off the beaten hike on South Island. Read our hiking guide where we share tips for hiking South Coast Track, New Zealand, including tips on where to stay, what to pack, and how to get to the trailhead.
Today, we would like to share with you our experience from hiking South Coast Track in New Zealand.
New Zealand’s South Island is a paradise for all hikers, and the selection of multi-day treks is incredible.
If you have three to four weeks in New Zealand, your itinerary will probably take you to Fiordland National Park, which is, undoubtedly, one of the most wonderful parts of Aotearoa and home to many amazing Great Walks.
We are very well aware that your time is precious, but we know that some of our readers like to explore unusual places, places that are off the beaten path, and not everyone visits them.
These places have a unique, in this very case almost mystique atmosphere, and we are excited to introduce you to this trail, where we spent a few wonderful days.
South Coast Track is probably more known among locals, who have more opportunities to explore hidden gems, and if you can call New Zealand your home, this in and out hike should definitely catch your attention.
South Coast Track is raw, you will get the chance to explore the rugged coastline, walk in the splendid rainforest, learn more about the history of this remote part that is represented here by viaducts, logging tramlines, and brought to us by many information boards.
Moreover, all of that without the crowds, which is one of the most sought-after commodities in today's world.
Read our hiking guide on South Coast Track. We'll help you to plan this ultimate multi-day trek.
From where to park, how to get there, what to pack, how many days you need, to where to stay, we've got you covered.
WHAT SHOULD YOU KNOW BEFORE HIKING SOUTH COAST TRACK
First of all, South Coast Track is not a loop. It is a 61 kilometers long hike (one-way) but can be easily customized according to your needs, time, and budget.
You can either walk it in and out, which makes from it a pretty long trek that can take you over a week, you can hike it in only one direction and arrange a transport, or you can follow our steps, walk only to the second or third hut, and then turn around.
Although we will talk about it in one of the next paragraphs, you should definitely know that the weather near the coast, especially in Fiordland National Park, is often rough and rainy.
Last but not least, we think this trail is fairly easy, and it is suitable for every type of traveler. Curious adventurers, fit seniors, or families with kids.
But it offers challenges even to experienced hikers.
SOUTH COAST TRACK TRAILHEAD
South Coast Track officially starts at Rarakau Carpark, which is a pretty remote spot, the closest larger city Invercargill is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes drive from here.
Because of the remoteness, we can only recommend you not to keep your valuables in the car or at least hide them out of sight.
New Zealand is a safe country, but opportunistic crimes and car robberies can happen.
Because of the fact that the trailhead to South Coast Track is a bit in the middle of nowhere, the best way on how to get there is by car.
We had our own campervan, and it was the best idea ever to explore the country this way.
In case you do not have this option, you'll have to find a private travel agency. Your best bet is to contact a local agency in Tuatapere, which is a small town nearby, where it is possible to arrange this type of transport.
As Rarakau Carpark is also a trailhead for the more famous Hump Ridge Track, it is quite easy to arrange transport.
SOUTH COAST TRACK TRANSPORTATION
Ok, this is the official trailhead, but what if you want to start on the opposite side of the hike, or you want to hike South Coast Track only in one direction without the necessity to retrace your steps?
In that case, you need to arrange a jet boat that will take you to or from the banks of Wairaurahiri River.
At the time of our visit was this option quite costly for us, so we decided to walk in and out, but because of lack of time and worsening weather conditions, we did not get to the very end of the trail.
HOW MANY DAYS YOU NEED
If you decide to hike the whole length of South Coast Track, it is good to know that only to get from the Rarakau parking lot to the very end of the trail, which is Big River, will take you three to four days, depending on your pace.
If you do not arrange a jet boat transfer from the end of the trail, South Coast Track can take you anything between six and eight days.
It is a real tramping experience at its very best.
We have opted for the shorter version, and as we basically walked only to the second hut along the trail, to Wairaurahiri Hut, South Coast Track took us four days.
As the weather forecast was not very promising, and New Zealand was slowly getting closer to winter, we found this alternative the best for us.
Not only the trek was absolutely doable for us this way, but it was also budget-friendly, and we think we saw the best this part of Fiordland has to offer when it comes to both, nature and history.
SOUTH COAST TRACK
We finished this multi-day hike in four days, and made it approximately to the half, but as we had to walk the same way back, it took us four days, and we walked around 72 kilometers.
Even though we did many treks in New Zealand, including the famous Great Walks in the Fiordland area such as Milford Track, Routeburn Track, or Kepler Track, South Coast Track was in many ways exceptional.
And we never regretted we chose it, even though the last day was pretty challenging because of the torrential rain.
What can you expect from the hike between Rarakau Carpark and Wairaurahiri Hut?
DAY 1: RARAKAU CAR PARK TO PORT CRAIG SCHOOL HUT
When we parked the car, we immediately set off because we had more than 20 kilometers ahead of us that day.
We packed all our equipment the day before, so there was nothing to wait for.
Even though the first day might seem quite long, the terrain is not very demanding, and we found this part easy, but visually very rewarding.
A few first kilometers follow an old road, and you will go across several suspension bridges.
But the biggest highlight, at least according to our opinion, is the walk across wonderful beaches.
The views of the ocean on one side and thick forest on the other side is simply stunning, and we were enjoying every single minute.
Indeed, walking on the sand is not very comfortable, and later, on day four we found out that when the weather is bad, there is nowhere to hide, but either way, this stretch of South Coast Track was one of our favorites.
After we crossed several beaches, the trail turned inland, and we finally entered the forest where a narrow path led us to Port Craig School Hut.
Port Craig School Hut and overall the whole area is a very interesting place.
This site tells so much about the timber harvesting history of this place, and thanks to several relics, this school that was turned into a DOC hut is a very cool place to spend the night.
And with many information boards around, it is possible to get a rough picture of how life in this remote part of New Zealand was like.
We stayed in this hut twice, and every time we enjoyed the atmosphere a lot.
If you have enough energy, you can walk to Port Craig itself, where you can see even more relics and also a cute beach.
DAY 2: PORT CRAIG SCHOOL HUT TO WAIRAURAHIRI HUT
The second day of South Coast Track offered us views different from other hikes we've done in New Zealand.
First of all, the whole path led us through a native forest, and we had a feeling like walking in a fairytale.
A fairytale with many shades of green.
It is style possible to see old tracks that were used by workers who were harvesting timber in these thick woods, and at times we walked in the old corridors that are still clearly visible.
Some parts of the trail were really muddy, so from time to time, we had to leave the official trail and had to look for a path in the forest that would take us around places that were under water.
One of the absolute highlights of the hike to Wairaurahiri Hut is several viaducts that we passed along the way.
Sandhill Viaduct and Percy Burn Viaduct are not only very photogenic, but it is again another step to understanding more the history and the way of life in this land.
After crossing viaducts, we again walked in the native forest until we reached the clearing with the hut.
The night in Wairaurahiri Hut was a bit strange because there were no other travelers, so we slept alone in the middle of the rainforest, which was beautiful but at the same time a bit creepy.
DAY 3 & 4: RETURN
The next day we decided to return the same way to our car, but we did not find walking the same route dull at all.
Thanks to it we could pay attention to the details even more and we could listen to the sounds of the forest.
The third day that led us back to Port Craig School Hut was quite uneventful.
On the other hand, the last day when we were supposed to return to our car was not that great.
It rained cats and dogs all night, and the rain did not stop in the morning. It was pretty bad, comparable only probably to some days on the West Coast.
We waited for a couple of hours, but the situation only worsened.
Therefore, we decided to start walking.
Long story short, after 20 kilometers in the rain, we came completely wet with hands and feet frozen to the car park.
Here we could not wait to make a hot tea, but at that moment we were approached by a couple who also returned from the hike, but they found out that their battery in a car is dead.
So before we could finally take a rest, we helped them to jump start their car, and only then we could change into dry clothes and enjoy the great feeling we always have after finishing a beautiful hike.
ACCOMMODATION ALONG THE HIKE
If you plan on staying overnight on South Coast Track, you will have to sleep in DOC or private huts along the trail.
There are three official DOC serviced or standard huts on this multi-day hike - Port Craig School Hut, Wairaurahiri Hut, and Waitutu Hut - plus one small basic hut that sleeps only five people, Westies Hut.
These huts work on a first-come-first-served basis, so you do not have to make any reservation in advance, and you do not have to perfectly plan your days either.
Huts are simple, with pit toilets, heating, and mattresses, you need to bring cooking equipment including gas and stove.
Tickets for the hut (5 or 15 NZD depending on the status of the hut) must be purchased in advance in any visitors center, or you can use your Backcountry Hut Pass that is valid for either six or twelve months.
We had the pass as we traveled around New Zealand for more than a year, and can definitely recommend it to all avid hikers as it will save you a lot of money.
There are also a few privately owned huts that offer a bit more comfort and can be booked via the Tuatapere Hump Ridge Track office.
WHERE TO STAY BEFORE OR AFTER SOUTH COAST TRACK
As the trailhead to South Coast Track is in the middle of nowhere, you need to travel a bit to find accommodation before or after the hike.
The choice depends on your travel itinerary and plans after finishing this multi-day hike.
The closest settlement that has a few hotels is Tuatapere.
But you can drive also to Invercargill, or Bluff, in case you plan on doing Rakiura Track on Stewart Island.
On top of that, you can also drive to Te Anau, in case you plan on exploring the Fiordland even more thoroughly.
We've handpicked the best hotel in each location to make your trip as smooth as possible.
Tuatapere | Last Light Lodge - This cozy guesthouse has a great location, and it is a perfect starting off point for all people planning either South Coast Track or Hump Ridge Track.
Invercargill | Ibis Styles Invercargill - Invercargill is a bigger city in Fiordland, and it is a great place to spend a night and do grocery shopping. Ibis is a chain, that's why travelers like it. Services delivered are the same around the world.
Bluff | Foveaux Hotel - Perfect place to stay in case you just arrived from Stewart Island or if you are headed in the opposite direction. Guests can enjoy continental breakfast, a garden, and a shared lounge.
Te Anau | Lakeside Motel & Apartments - Quiet and well-maintained hotel is reasonably priced and offers its guests comfortable rooms, kitchenette, and stunning views of the lake.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME FOR THE HIKE
The best time to hike South Coast Track is, undoubtedly, summer, roughly between November and March.
Fiordland National Park is known for high precipitation, but during these months you have a bit higher chance to stay dry.
Temperatures in the summer are pleasant, and thanks to the fact this hike is not that famous, you do not have to worry it would be crowded.
April to October is rainier, and weather can get cold, and trails muddier.
As this hike requires some backcountry experience even in the summer, especially if you plan on hiking to the very end of the track, it is good to know that conditions in the winter can be even more challenging.
Even though there is no avalanche risk, you should not take the ever-changing conditions lightly, and always come well-prepared.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
WHAT TO PACK
What should you pack for South Coast Track? With a multi-day hike, there is always one rule of thumb.
You should pack as light as possible because you are going to carry everything on your back.
Because of the muddy and rainy conditions, it is worth it to invest in a proper waterproof gear.
We recommend you wear hiking boots with high-quality soles, a rain poncho, a rain jacket, hiking pants, and a good backpack with a waist strap.
To stay warm, pack several layers such as t-shirts with short-sleeves and t-shirt with long sleeves, and also warm wool socks and rain pants.
We like to have a new set of (dry) clothes for our free time in the hut.
Then we usually pack a down jacket, especially when hiking in cooler months.
It is good to have sunscreen, but if there's one thing you should not forget for South Coast Track, it is bug repellent.
The area is notorious for annoying sandflies, and some places are really unbearable without the repellent.
For the overnight stay in the hut, it is necessary to pack a sleeping bag , headtorch, cooking set, stove & gas can, and also food. You don't need a sleeping mat.
You can pack whatever you like for lunch or dinner, but we found great these dried meals as they are light and nourishing, although a bit more expensive.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
