Adventure 222

Feeling insignificant in this wild place as we arrive into Doughboy Bay after a long and physical 65km day.
Clockwise from Top left 1. Camped out in ‘Easy Harbour’ waiting out some big storms before our attempt on the Southern
Cape of Stewart Island. 2. Fresh fish, staple diet on Stewart Island. 3. Yankee Hut at the mouth of the Yankee River, a place
we were stuck for 2 days waiting for the wild westerly to subside. 4. The salt water was a bit different for the whitewater
paddlers ripping their hands to shreds. 5. Taking in the wildlife, Lords River - Stewart Island.
8 Days earlier the ferry docked in Oban, the capital
– Or really only town on the island. Adventure was
waiting & it was time to go. The Half-Moon Bay
beach, in the centre of town, became a sprawling
mess of equipment, Radix food and kayak kit as the
team readied itself to embark on a 12-day journey
to attempt a circumnavigation of Stewart Island.
Barely 12 hrs later, as the sun began to peak over
the horizon from the East, 4 kayaks launched and
headed West. We departed unsure of when we
would be back.
Heading West along the edge of Foveaux Strait
with Bluff hill silhouetted in the dawn sun in the
distance. Our progress was fast, and within minutes
all signs of civilisation were left behind, and we were
off. Rounding out of the bay the ocean began to
play ball, the currents of the Foveaux Strait quickly
dragging us out towards the North Cape and onto
the West Coast. But it was daunting, with a huge
amount of kayaking experience all on rivers we
weren’t sure what we would find out here – in the
ocean.
As the days progressed is became obvious our
biggest challenge was time. The roaring Westerly
had picked up and our progress was slowed
almost to a standstill. We hoped for great weather
but planned for the worst. It was mid-winter after
all. Day 1, 2, 3 & 4 saw slow progress along the
Northern Coast, constantly pushed back by the
gusting Westerlies. Eventually seeking shelter at the
aptly named Christmas Village Hut to wait out the
storm, recalculate our timeframe and continuously
count our food. And waiting was easy on Stewart
Island, the endless hunters and DOC huts littered
throughout the conservation area made for a quick
respite from the wintery weather throughout the
adventure.
Finally, the waves and wind subsided, and we went
for it – Rounding the North West Cape and heading
South, a massive day as we passed by beautiful
remote Stewart Island. Pre-made Radix meals
safely tucked into our lifejackets as we pushed
ahead to the DOC hut in Doughboy Bay – A safe
harbour for the night. This Coastline is relentless. It’s
rugged and wild. Constantly bashed by the roaring
40’s combined with giant waves reaching their first
landmass since being drummed up in Antarctica.
26//WHERE ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS/#222 ADVENTUREMAGAZINE.CO.NZ 27