Stewart Island
Nearby
Invercargill Fiordland Catlins
Stewart Island: Understand
Population ~ 400
Also known as Rakiura, “Place of Glowing skies” by the Maoris, Stewart Island is New Zealand’s third largest island and newest National Park. Despite it’s isolation, the Island is an awe-inspiring place to visit and is widely regarded as a hiker’s paradise.
Situated approximately 30 kilometres south of the South Island, Stewart Island is unspoilt, wild and subject to some pretty inhospitable weather at times. Because of it’s cold isolation and mostly dense, forest covered landscape, the island provides a haven for beautiful rare birds. These include the Tui, Parakeet, Kaka, Bell bird, Robin, Dotterel, Fern bird and the Stewart Island Brown Kiwi.
Stewart Island Coastline
Stewart Island boasts a miniscule population of just over 600 people, making it one of most sparsely populated islands in the world. Most of the population lies in the eastern settlement of Oban. A visit to Stewart Island is an opportunity to sample the wonders of nature and to get away from it all.
Getting to Stewart Island
Stewart Island Experience offer ferry boat trips between Bluff and Stewart Island that take about 1 hour. They also offer Queenstown & Invercargill to Bluff coach transfers. Flights to Stewart Island are also available.
Stewart Island: See & Do
Stewart Island is regarded as a Hiker’s heaven as it is full of fantastic walks. The Rakiura track and the North West Circuit are the two most popular walks. A variety of tours are on offer including scenic walks, visits to the Ulva Island bird sanctuary, fishing trips, nature tours and Kayaking. Other tourist attractions include the opportunity to see New Zealand’s most treasured flightless bird, the Kiwi.
Ruggedy Range Wilderness Experience
Offers guided, small-group “off the beaten track” tours where you can view kiwi and other rare native birds and plants in their natural environment.
Stewart Island Experience
Offers a range of services including guided tours on and boat cruises around Stewart Island. Also offers rental cars, scooters and mountain bikes.
Ulva’s Guided Walks
Offers guided walks of Ulva Island Bird Sanctuary learning about native flora and fauna from a Maori and local Stewart Island perspective.
Kiwi Wilderness Walks
Offers a range of all inclusive guided walks providing a valuable insight in to the history of Maori, early settlers and the local ecology.
Stewart Island Ferry Services
Offers all year round 1-hour crossings of the Foveaux Strait including commentary providing information on the interesting landmarks.
Stewart Island Flights
Offers flights to Stewart Island from Invercargill. Also offers scenic flights over the Island, central Southland and the Southern coastline.
Multi-Day Trips Near Stewart Island
Rakiura National Park – the Rakiura track is one of NZ’s Greatest Walks.
Stewart Island: Eat & Drink
The South Sea Hotel Restaurant and Pub has good food and on Tuesday nights there is a Quiz night that pulls in almost 50% of the population.
Church Hill Restaurant offers finer dining.
And KaiKart takeaways serves up fish & chips to enjoy on the beach.
Stewart Island: Sleep
Kaka Retreat offers eco-retreat accommodation close to the beach.
Bay Motel offers honeymoon suites plus a spacious 3 bedroom apartment.
Both Stewart Island Lodge and Glendaruel Bed and Breakfast boast commanding ocean views.
Rakiura Lodge offers family-friendly accommodation surrounded by native bush.
For boutique lodgings also offering superb views of Halfmoon Bay, look no further than Port of Call.
Where to next?
Nearby in Southland:
Invercargill Fiordland Catlins
Nearby Regions:
West Coast Otago CanterburyBirdlife, hiking & the southernmost part of NZ
Quick Menu
Multi-day Trips Nearby
- Rakiura Track