Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023

Beginner - Intermediate

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I've done it Done

Bungaree Half Marathon +

Oban, Southland

Submitted by Simon Wickham

Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023

Beginner - Intermediate

Save Trail Save

I've done it Done

Open

Grunt Factor: 32 ?

Gnarl Factor: 34 ?

23.0km

970m

970m

133m

  

  

  

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Trail Map

Type of Run

Front country - easily accessible

Combo

Undulating, some big hills

Native bush

Beach

Coastal

Run Makeup

10%
10%
40%
20%
20%

Sealed Road

Gravel Road

Easy Single Track

Moderate Single Track

Technical Single Track

Average Uphill Gradient: +9.0%

Average Downhill Gradient: -9.0%

Trailhead

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Estimated Times to Run

4:30

Slow

3.30:00

Moderate

2:30

Fast

Starting from the Bungaree Hut (you may wish to walk in ahead or get a water taxi from Oban same day). Bungaree sits on the northwest end of a beautiful white sand beach. Run along the beach for a km or so until almost the end where you'll see a track marker (orange triangle) heading into the bush. Turning left on this track you'll head up your first climb, over a small headland and down into the edge of a tidal inlet. The track meanders around that inlet and then further into the bush and over the first real climb (about 130m elevation from the beach).

The more technical part of the day is here to Port William Hut on a great single track up and over a couple of hills and you'll notice you start a longer down hill past another beach before a short climb and then down into a flat muddy section that leads to Port William. You'll reach a junction where the short detour to the left takes you to Port William Hut and the wharf (worth a look). You can then run along the beach until about half way down the beach you need to get back up on the track and continue inland up another similar climb over the headland, past a junction (staying to your left) and down into the beautiful Wooding Bay.You cross a great looking swingbridge over the tidal estuary and another beaut white sand beach and run down the beach to Maori Bay campsite.

Cross a small stream at the end of the beach and head uphill and start heading to Lee Bay and the big anchor chain sculpture that connects Stewart Island with the corresponding sculpture in Bluff. Take the gravel road over the hill and you'll see Horseshoe bay. Follow the road (now sealed) around the bay and at the far end if you stay left you connect into Horseshoe Point Rd that becomes a track on your left. This track meanders around the headland to a great lookout and then onto the stunning little bay (Dead Mans Beach). From here it's a climb up the stairs and a nice undulating track after the climb that eventually takes you back to Oban and a cold beer awaits you at the South Seas Hotel. Bliss in a great location, at a great place.

Stunning beaches; kiwi if you are lucky; deer if you are lucky; great forest in remote location

Water taxi or run to the hut and back for a full marathon (this guide lists the half from Bungaree to Oban via Freshwater Point)

0 km

0 minutes

Unknown

No

Moderate.

Patchy.

Thermal leggings, Long-sleeved thermal top, Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Gloves, Beanie/thermal headwear, Personal Locator Beacon (PLB), Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Survival bag, Survival blanket, Cellphone, Map.

Water at Bungaree Hut and Port William Hut some streams along the way (at your own risk I guess - I did)

Obviously Stewart Is is just above the Southern Ocean - check the forecast as conditions can change quickly

South Seas Hotel
Oban
Cold Beer in a classic kiwi pub that's been serving locals forever - good meals too

Kai Kart
Oban
Fresh blue cod and chips - need I say more

Trail Legend

Katie Smith

Katie Smith

has completed Bungaree Half Marathon + once in the last year.

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Trail Reviews

I started from near Lee Bay and went to Bungaree, backtracked a bit and then returned to Oban going along the Rakiura track.
Bungaree beach was absolutely stunning and a great place to relax for a bit on a sunny day. Between Lee Bay and Port William the track is graveled but further north of there the track is dirt, roots and mud. I had a lot of fun going up and down the steep rooted track sections as well as the cool undulating parts through the gorgeous forest. So this was definitely the highlight of my day.
I started off walking up and running down the Garden Mound track instead of going past the chain sculpture. It's a cute track so may be worth checking out once if you're doing an out and back.

Damon Nicholas

January 26, 2022

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