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Peregrine Travel Centre

Stewart Island Wilderness Tramps

Stewart Island Wilderness Tramps

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Description

The Tin Range provides an overland route to Port Pegasus on southern Stewart Island. It was used extensively by the tin miners in the early 1900’s. The route which was once well marked has not been maintained and the one hut or bivi on the route has fallen into disrepair. Despite this it remains one of the “must do” NZ tramping trips for the serious and experienced tramper. This expedition makes it happen with the added bonus of extra days to explore Port Pegasus.

Note 1: This is a tramp for experienced persons with a reasonable standard of fitness and experience in route finding and alpine traverses. DoC do not maintain or promote this route and it does not show on LINZ Topo 50 maps. The Manuka and Olearia (leatherwood) is difficult and can be physically demanding. The alpine tops are exposed to the severe “Roaring Forties” winds, rain and fog. All participants are required to provide their own quality specialist equipment including tent, sleeping bag, cooker etc GPS and emergency locator beacon. (see suggested Mountain Safety gear list on our website)

Note 2: This is not a “guided walk”, rather it is fully supported. We will have an experienced person to accompany you and assist with route finding and logistics. He/she will also carry Iridium phone for weather forecasts and emergency contact with Strannik if necessary. We will provide detailed maps and notes for the route.

Trip Name
Stewart Island Wilderness Tramps
Days
10
Overview
Vessel Type: Small Ship Passenger Capacity: Up to 12 overnight in five cabins Lenght: 24 meters Built: 2017 Strannik is a Russian word translated as “Wanderer” or “Pilgrim”. Strannik is a person travelling in search of knowledge and wisdom. There is no better word nor way to describe our vessel, it has been born out of a natural curiosity and love of the natural world, history and travel.  It is designed, equipped and ready to explore the world and southern New Zealand. Cabins include private facilities with a bathroom including basin, toilet and shower. 8 passengers can comfortably fit within 4 twin/double cabins. Up to 12 passengers can be accomdated by prior agreement. Domestic comfort All cabins are fully insulated. Cruseair reverse-cycle systems throughout. Forced suction ventilation and fresh air seagoing vents and opening ports to all cabins. Opening hatches to most cabins. Spacious saloon and dining areas with great views. Each cabin has own entertainment docking station and screen, large theatre in saloon and music to all areas, reference library. Multiple fridge freezers, wine fridge, ice maker, full commercial laundry, garbage compactor, all electric commercial galley with Meile appliances. Navigation System A full double redundancy suite, featuring latest Simrad multinational navigational displays with dual range radars, high definition chart plotters, down scan and forward looking sonars, Satellite compass, Dual autopilots, and weather/climate monitoring instruments. The vessel is also fitted with CCTV and gyro stabilized Flir Night vision technology for added safety underway and on station. Communications System The latest Satellite communications with on-board Wi-Fi to all areas. Email and online connections. Satellite phone and data services Off shore with 4G cellular available in-shore for rapid streaming (location dependent), Long range HF SSB and VHF marine radios. Live online web based tracking system. Safety systems Full watertight compartments and double bottom throughout, automated Fire/smoke monitoring system to all compartments with bridge alarms. Comprehensive firefighting equipment and engine room Auto-fire flood system. All cabins with emergency exits and lighting. 2 x 20 man Solas life rafts, EPIRB’s, SART, Flares and personal emergency equipment including thermal protective aids, Solas approved life jackets and abandon ship supplies. Certified crew to assist and regular safety drills.

Itinerary



Day 1 - Day 1 Oban
Met together in Oban (Stewart Island). You will be transferred by zodiac to Strannik. You will be introduced to the crew and the vessel. After lunch there will be a detailed briefings and instructions for the tramp. Also a chance to stow dry clothes, spare equipment etc etc that you don’t want on the tramp but would like on arrival in Port Pegasus. You will select and pack your food for the tramp from our on board supplies, also a chance to double check equipment. You will stay overnight on board.
Day 2 - Day 2 Paterson Inlet
This morning after breakfast we will cruise up Paterson Inlet and we will land you at Freds Camp where the tramp starts. You will travel up the Rakeahua Valley to the Rakeahua Hut where you will stay overnight, it is a relatively easy (but muddy) well defined track through some great podocarp forest. Est. 5 hours tramping. Note: The estimated distance from Rakeahau Hut to Port Pegasus is … we have allowed 3 days for this trip but it could be done in 2 days depending on the weather conditions and the interests and fitness of the group.
Day 3 - Day 3 Table Hill
Today we will climb from Rakeahau Hut to Table hill a 700 metre climb that starts a couple kilometres west of the hut. The climb takes you through podocarp forest into some heavier Manuka / Olearia scrub. There is the vague remnants of a track/route with occasional marker especially in the lower valley but towards the tops it becomes a “scrub bash” to the bush line at 500 metres. DoC researchers sometimes use this route to study the southern population of the NZ Dotterel that breeds here. Depending on our progress and the weather we will look for a suitable campsite here or push on towards the Kopeka River.
Day 4 - Day 4 Port Pegasus
From Campsite we will continue south towards Port Pegasus. There are the occasional snow pole markers to the top of Table Hill and after that there are semi-regular markers (short lengths of Olearia pushed into the peat bogs and the occasional rocks that have been made into cairns) marking the route. We plan to travel via the eastern slopes of Mt Allen (the highest peak on the Tin Range) and the Mt Allen tarn where there is a reasonable campsite for our second night.
Day 5 - Day 5 Tin Range
We plan to complete the traverse of the Tin Range today. From Mt Allen we continue south towards trig D at the southern end of the Tin Range. Again route finding will be critical as it is not well marked. Depending on the weather and the time available we will explore the relics from the tin mining era. There is an impressive adit and a dam near the summit of trig D. This is also the area where Kakapo were rediscovered in January 1976. We will descend to Diprose Bay in Port Pegasus along the tramway which was built for a tin mining consortium in the early 1900’s. We will rendezvous with Strannik here. We enjoy hot showers and clean clothes.
Day 6 - Day 6 Port Pegasus
We continue our exploration of the Port Pegasus region with a day trip to the impressive granite peaks of Gog and Magog (Fraser Peaks) It is a full day trip from Evening Cove, but depending on the tide times we may be able to shortened that by taking the zodiacs up Cooks Arm. We return to Strannik for the night and stay overnight on board.
Day 7 - Day 7 Bald Cone
This morning we plan to climb Bald Cone……. asl a dominant Granite knob at the south end of Port Pegasus. There is a recognised route up the south side and there are even some fixed ropes (probably not a good idea to rely on these) to the summit from where there are great views over Port Pegasus. Back on board for lunch and then this afternoon we plan to walk through to “The Settlement” in Broad Bay. It is an easy 40min walk (one way) some stunning podocarp forest with a golden sand beach at the end. There are often Sealions on this beach. Overnight on Strannik.
Day 8 - Day 8 Lords River
We plan to depart Port Pegasus early this morning for the Lords River where we will explore the river by Zodiac. The rivers winds for many miles through some magnificent podocarp forest. Navigation is stopped by a waterfall and nearby there is a hunters camp as this is a popular hunting block. There is also a shorter walk from near the anchorage to the coast and some spectacular scenery. We stay overnight on Strannik
Day 9 - Day 9 Port Adventure
We will anchor in Port Adventure and spend the day exploring the area both on foot and by zodiac. The Heron River that flows into the Port is navigable up as far as some rapids. There is also some great beaches and the possibility of some shorter walks
Day 10 - Day 10 Oban
Disembark at Oban continue your Stewart Island adventure or return home.
Day 11 - Please Note:
Itineraries are subject to change.
Day 12 - Day 12 - Kendari
Today we reach Kendari, the small city and busy port that is the capital of South-East Sulawesi. We have now entered the homelands of the Butonese people – one of the noted seafaring groups of Indonesia (along with the better-known Bugis and Makassans of South Sulawesi). Their sailing sloops called lambo roamed widely around Indonesia, carrying anything and everything from copra and live turtles to lumber and groceries for remote eastern islands like the ones we’ve been sailing through. After farewells to the tour guides and crew, you will be transferred to the airport.
Day 13 - Please Note:
Every effort will be made to carry out our cruise itinerary as planned; however, our itineraries are subject to change at the captain’s discretion. When touring at sea, weather, currents, and even harbour masters don’t always co-operate with our planned itinerary, which sometimes make our planned schedules challenging or even impossible to carry out. For that reason, our written itineraries must be approached with reasonable flexibility. We reserve the right to make alterations due to circumstances beyond our control and/or other factors, in the best interests of all. It’s all part of the adventure.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type

Inclusions

    • Hiking
    • Birding
    • Swimming
    • Kayaking
    • Birding
    • Photography
    • Botany
    • History
    • Cetacean watching

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