OBSERVATION ROCK - Rakiura National Park
An easy though fairly steep 30 minutes return walk to a viewpoint.
Approx 25 minutes on road / 5 minutes on easy bush track.
Map Data: Google, Digital Globe, Department of Conservation (DOC).
below to explore this walk.
OBSERVATION ROCK - Rakiura National Park
The walk to Observation Rock begins here - at the Department of Conservation's Rakiura National Park Visitor Centre in Oban.
OBSERVATION ROCK - Rakiura National Park
We head down to the waterfront and turn right.
OBSERVATION ROCK - Rakiura National Park
Now we walk along the waterfront to Ayr Street - the first street on the right.
OBSERVATION ROCK - Rakiura National Park
Ayr Street starts off flat, then veers left and climbs to the top of the hill.
OBSERVATION ROCK - Rakiura National Park
OBSERVATION ROCK - Rakiura National Park
Phew! It's pretty steep...
OBSERVATION ROCK - Rakiura National Park
At the top of the hill we reach Traill Park. This is a good place to come and look for Kiwi birds at night.
OBSERVATION ROCK - Rakiura National Park
Next we turn left into Leonard Street.
OBSERVATION ROCK - Rakiura National Park
Leonard Street becomes Excelsior Street and we begin to climb quite steeply.
OBSERVATION ROCK - Rakiura National Park
OBSERVATION ROCK - Rakiura National Park
We're heading up there to the top of the hill.
OBSERVATION ROCK - Rakiura National Park
Soon we reach the top of the hill and the start of the track. It's only a two minute walk from here to the lookout.
OBSERVATION ROCK - Rakiura National Park
The track ambles through bush.
OBSERVATION ROCK - Rakiura National Park
OBSERVATION ROCK - Rakiura National Park
The lookout. It's called Observation Rock - and the best view is gained by standing on that rock on the right.
OBSERVATION ROCK - Rakiura National Park
And this is the view over Paterson Inlet - Whaka a Te Wera.
OBSERVATION ROCK - Rakiura National Park
Looking to our left. That's Iona Island on the right, with Ulva Island in the distance. Behind Ulva Island is Rakiura / Stewart Island on the far side of Paterson Inlet - Whaka a Te Wera.
OBSERVATION ROCK - Rakiura National Park
OBSERVATION ROCK - Rakiura National Park
Heading back down the track to the road.
OBSERVATION ROCK - Rakiura National Park
OBSERVATION ROCK - Rakiura National Park
This time we'll walk back the other way and head down Excelsior Street towards the waterfront.
OBSERVATION ROCK - Rakiura National Park
Steep as...
OBSERVATION ROCK - Rakiura National Park
Halfway down the hill we decide to turn left into Dundee Street.
OBSERVATION ROCK - Rakiura National Park
Coming back into Oban township and heading towards the Kai Kart for fish and chips.