Things to Do in Stewart Island New Zealand

Stewart Island New Zealand (Te Punga o Te Waka) – the southernmost island of New Zealand, stretching 64 km in length and 40 km in width at its widest point. Despite having a 700 km coastline, the island only has 20 km of roads. To reach the island, there is a daily ferry service that departs twice a day, as well as a plane service that flies three times a day.

Due to its size, walking around the island in a day is impossible, and even ten days of tramping won’t take you beyond the northern third.

Things to Do in Stewart Island New Zealand: There are plenty of things to explore, even near the only settlement of Oban. You can plan a day trip or a longer stay as many accommodations are available. The island is well-known for its birdlife, including species like Kiwi.

Experience Te Punga o Te Waka

• New Zealand’s third-largest island
• Flying from Invercargill to Stewart Island is a convenient option
• Explore Raikura National Park
• Oban is Stewart Island’s main settlement
• Unforgettable experience of watching wild kiwi birds.

• Catch a water taxi from Stewart Island to the Ulva Island wildlife sanctuary
• Watch wild kiwi foraging on a sandy beach at dusk
• Hike on a rainforest trail in the wilderness of Rakiura National Park
• Dine on the freshest of local seafood
• Dive the marine reserve Paterson Inlet
• Kayak in pristine waters around the stunning Stewart Island coastline

Getting to Stewart Island

Travel to Stewart Island by Plane

Invercargill Airport offers domestic flights to Christchurch and Wellington with Air New Zealand. Flights to Stewart Island take approximately 20 minutes; options include flying from Invercargill and landing on a Stewart Island beach.
Book a Flight to Stewart Island (click here to make a booking)

Travel to Stewart Island by Ferry

Stewart Island is a one-hour boat trip from Bluff. Charters and water taxis operate around the island.

Coach Services to the Region

Invercargill is located at the southern end of SH 1.
Coach companies provide scheduled services to the region.

• Christchurch to Invercargill [579 km; 8 hr 15 min]
• Dunedin to Invercargill [217 km; 3 hr 5 min]
• Queenstown to Invercargill [187 km; 2 hr 40 min]
• Invercargill to Te Anau [152 km; 2 hr 10 min]
• Invercargill to Bluff [30 km; 25 min]
• Invercargill to Gore [66 km; 55 min]

Useful Stewart Island New Zealand Resources

• Stewart Island Official Site