Garden Mounds Track

Dogs No Dogs

Features Birding · Views

As with anywhere on Steward Island, come prepared to do some mud running.

The Garden Mounds Track offers some unique panoramic forest views of the Oban area. The forests of Garden Mound were spared in the early milling that leveled much of the rest of the forest area, so visitors will be treated with a lovely native forest landscape with the opportunity to spot many birds in addition to the native trees and bush.

The start of the trail is steep and can be muddy and slick especially after recent rain. Do not be discourage by this rough start as the trail does lessen in grade and become a more enjoyable run past the first half mile. After reaching the high point of the track, you'll start a gradual descent to connect to the Rakiura Track. A nice loop can be made by taking a right on the Rakiura Track to loop along Lee Bay if you don't want to do an out-and-back.

Rimu, rata, miro, and many, many species of ferns and mosses.