Stage 2 of the Rakiura Track covers 12.8 km from Port William Hut to North Arm Hut, with 470 m of ascent and 432 m of descent. The highest point is 193 m. Allow about 5.5 hours of walking, plus breaks.
Distance, climb and elevation come from the Outest route data. Difficulty and time are estimates from distance and climb; your pace will vary with heat, pack weight and photo stops.
Basic Great Walk campsite with 4 tent sites in forest 2 minutes from North Arm Hut, with a cooking shelter, rainwater tank and toilet; campers cannot use the hut. Booking required all year; 2026/27 adult fee NZ$19 (NZ) or NZ$28 (international) per night in summer, NZ$6 from May to September.
24-bunk Great Walk hut on the shore of Paterson Inlet with mattresses and a wood burner; no gas cookers, lighting or toilet paper, and tank water must be boiled. Booking required all year; 2026/27 adult fee NZ$44 (NZ) or NZ$66 (international) per night from 1 October to 30 April, NZ$31–38 in winter.
Checked online in October 2026. Places marked "not confirmed by the operator" are listed on OpenStreetMap or in guides but could not be checked on an official page. Every hut and campsite night on the Rakiura Track must be booked with DOC in advance, all year round. Without a booking you may be fined or turned away when the hut is full.
Emergency: call 111. No signal outside Oban: carry a PLB. Emergency & health guide
Pharmacies, ATMs, shops and stops: © OpenStreetMap contributors. Hospitals and health centres checked online.
The full stage works offline in Outest, with the route, elevation, water and village points, and a trail guide you can ask about conditions and the next place to sleep.