Things to Do in Stewart Island

Things to Do in Stewart Island: Stewart Island, known in Māori as Rakiura (“the land of glowing skies”), is New Zealand’s third largest island, 30 kilometres south of the South Island across Foveaux Strait. Rakiura National Park covers most of it. Walk the three-day Rakiura Track Great Walk, take a night tour to see wild brown kiwi, which outnumber humans here, and visit the predator-free bird sanctuary on Ulva Island. Quiet beaches, boat cruises and dark skies fill the rest of your time.

Experience Stewart Island

• Wild brown kiwi (tokoeka)
• Ulva Island bird sanctuary
• The Rakiura Track Great Walk
• Golden bays and boat cruises
• Dark skies and stargazing

You´ll ❤️ these great things to see & do…

• See wild kiwi on a guided night-time trip
• Visit the predator-free bird sanctuary on Ulva Island (Te Wharawhara)
• Walk the Rakiura Track, one of New Zealand’s Great Walks
• Cruise secluded bays and inlets and look for penguins, dolphins and albatross
• Relax on golden sandy bays such as Halfmoon and Horseshoe
• Join a stargazing tour under the dark skies

Where to Experience It on Stewart Island

Stewart Island is small, so the easiest way to plan your things to do in Stewart Island is by theme, with Oban as your base.

• Oban: the island’s main settlement. Browse the Rakiura Museum, kick back at the quirky Bunkhouse Theatre or play a round at the Ringa Ringa golf course. The island has 28 km of roads, which you can explore by electric bike or taxi.
• Kiwi: Stewart Island is a haven for brown kiwi (tokoeka), which are active day and night, and a guided night-time trip is a highlight. See the official kiwi spotting guide. See Wildlife & Beaches.
• Ulva Island (Te Wharawhara): a predator-free open bird sanctuary in Paterson Inlet with dozens of native species, reached by a short water taxi ride. See the Ulva Island guide.
• The Rakiura Track: a three-day Great Walk through coastal forest, wetlands and beach. The Department of Conservation provides huts for overnight walks. See Walking & Hiking.
• By boat: boat charters, adventure cruises, sea kayaking and scenic flights, where blue and yellow-eyed penguins live along the rocky shore. See Boat Cruises & Water Activities.
• Tramping, birding, fishing and diving: popular activities across Rakiura National Park and the Ulva Island marine reserve. Check the DOC rules and permits for fishing and hunting.
• Guided tours: village and bay tours, wilderness walks and wildlife encounters led by local experts.

Stewart Island After Dark

Hours and programmes change, so confirm with each operator.

• Kiwi tours: guided night-time trips to see kiwi in the wild.
• Stargazing: the official site lists stargazing tours, and the island’s skies are dark.
• Bunkhouse Theatre: a quirky local venue in Oban.

Good to Know Before You Go

• Getting there: reach Stewart Island by ferry from Bluff or by light aircraft from Invercargill. The two options suit different budgets and schedules, so check both.
• Ulva Island: reached by water taxi from the island.
• DOC visitor centre: the Rakiura National Park Visitor Centre at 15 Main Road, Oban, gives track conditions and weather reports, and sells hut tickets and Great Walk bookings.
• Climate: temperatures are slightly cooler than on the mainland, so pack layers.
• Book ahead: check availability before you go for kiwi tours, Ulva Island, huts and your trip across Foveaux Strait.

Where it is

• Stewart Island is 30 km south of the South Island. The mainland ports are Bluff and Invercargill (Southland).

Combine Stewart Island With

Stewart Island sits at the bottom of the South Island, so it pairs well with these regions:

• Southland – Bluff and Invercargill, the mainland gateway
• Fiordland – Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound
• Queenstown – adventure and lakes
• Dunedin & Otago – wildlife along the Otago coast

Popular themes on Stewart Island

Wildlife & Beaches · Walking & Hiking · Boat Cruises & Water Activities

Tours that include Stewart Island

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More South Island regions: Christchurch – Canterbury · Dunedin & Otago · Fiordland · Kaikoura & Hanmer Springs · Marlborough · Nelson Tasman · Southland · Mt Cook & Mackenzie · Queenstown · Wanaka · West Coast

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