Ryans Creek Track

Tuesday and Wednesday this week were gloriously sunny days so a great time to experience two of the walks listed in DOC's 'Stewart Island/Rakiura Short Walks' brochure. I've been doing my Visitors Centre training every morning this week and knowing the walks in the brochure makes it much easier to recommend walks to visitors.

I finished my morning's work and walked along Golden Bay and Thule (pronounced thoolee) Roads to the start of the Ryans Creek Track. Each turn of the road brings new views across Paterson Inlet/Whaka a Te Wera - here's a few pics from yesterday...

Golden Bay Road

Thule Bay

Thule Bay

Vaila Voe Bay

I did the track in a clockwise direction, starting at Vaila Voe Bay and walking through to Main Road. The track winds around the coastline to Ryans Creek, then heads inland past the airfield. Most of the track is in bush as the sides are too steep and slippery to walk along the water's edge but occasionally it comes down to wee beaches where you can get good views.

Ryans Creek Track, courtesy of Google Maps

Far side of Vaila Voe Bay

The track is gravelled, well marked and relatively easy walking - it's up and down as it follows the coastline and there's a couple of muddy patches and a fallen tree to walk round. I wore tramping boots but it would be fine to do in walking shoes or trainers if it's not wet.

Ryans Creek Track

Ryans Creek

Picnic table near Ryans Creek mudflats

Ryans Creek Track - turn left for Kaipipi and North Arm,
straight through for Main Road back to the village

The round trip from the Visitors' Centre is 3½-4 hours at a comfortable walking speed - a lovely way to spend my afternoon.