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Hiking

Fern Gully: a sheltered bush walk from Oban, Rakiura

ReGear

Explore Fern Gully from Oban on Stewart Island: streamside forest, a quiet clearing and practical advice for the road approach and muddy sections.

Fern-lined walking track in Fern Gully on Rakiura.

Fern Gully is about the forest itself: fern-lined banks, a stream and a quiet clearing at the end. It works as an outing from Oban when you want to stretch your legs without tackling a multi-day track.

Quick facts

  • DOC allows two hours return from Rakiura National Park Visitor Centre, including the road approach.
  • The forest section alone is about 2.4 km return, measured from DOC’s mapped line.
  • Return by the same route; muddy patches are possible.
  • Forest access is signed from Kaipipi Road.

Getting to the start

From the visitor centre, turn left along Main Road, right at the airstrip turn-off, then continue to Kaipipi Road and the track signs. The closer map covers the forest section; the regional map shows Oban.

Location and route maps

Open either image for a closer look. Orange highlights show DOC’s mapped track; north is up.

Regional aerial map locating Fern Gully west of Oban.
Fern Gully mapped walking track highlighted orange on actual LINZ aerial imagery, with the entrance marked and north up.

DOC route information and official map

What the walk is like

  1. At the shared Kaipipi Road access, take the Fern Gully signs.
  2. Follow the old sawmilling track along the stream through regenerating forest.
  3. Continue to the clearing and seat at the track end.
  4. Retrace your steps to Oban.

Effort and conditions

A relatively gentle walk, though mud can slow you down. DOC describes it as suitable for buggies; check recent conditions before bringing one.

The other tracks at the shared access lead to different outings. Check DOC’s Oban day-walk alerts before leaving.

What I would bring

I would take waterproof outerwear, grippy shoes, water and a snack. Keep a dry layer in the pack and allow time to stop rather than walking solely to beat a ferry or flight deadline.

Before heading back

Sort food, water and toilets in Oban first. If visiting for the day, work backwards from your booked departure and allow a generous buffer. The two-hour estimate includes the road approach.

Read next: How to read the weather before a New Zealand hike.

Sources and photo credits

Sources checked 30 September 2026.

Maps: LINZ Basemaps and imagery contributors, CC BY 4.0. Track geometry: Crown copyright, Department of Conservation, DOC Tracks dataset, CC BY 4.0. Location labels and route highlights added.

Photo: Stewart Island Fern Gully Track.jpg — AlasdairW. CC BY-SA 3.0. Resized for display.