Stewart Island Eco Experience
With its secluded bays, golden sand beaches, lush bush and the stunning Rakiura National Park, 
Stewart Island is one of Southland’s best-kept secrets. Just an hour’s ferry ride from Bluff across the Foveaux Strait, this heavily forested island is the perfect place to get away from it all and enjoy the tranquil solitude of nature.
The island’s main township is Oban (named after the Scottish town) overlooking Halfmoon Bay, and it’s here you’ll find most of the accommodation and services. Bus tours will help you discover the village and local landmarks, and you can hire rental cars, scooters and mountain bikes to explore as well. Out on the water, there are cruises around Paterson Inlet, sea kayaking safaris, fishing charters and diving excursions, or take to the air and enjoy a scenic flight over the island’s stunning scenery.
If you enjoy nature and wildlife, then Stewart Island is a birdwatcher’s paradise. The island is one of the best places to view New Zealand’s national icon, the flightless kiwi, in the wild. Tours will take you kiwi spotting out at Ocean Beach, where the flightless Stewart Island kiwi (a sub-species of the brown kiwi) can be seen foraging for sandhoppers, or take a guided walk of Ulva Island, a predator-free bird sanctuary where you can see kaka, weka, kereru (NZ pigeon), bellbirds and tui. The rocky coastline is also home to New Zealand fur seals, penguins and a shearwater colony.
Walkers will find themselves spoilt for choice, with bushwalks ranging from shorter trails around Halfmoon Bay to the demanding 10-day North West Circuit. If you have several days on Stewart Island, try the three-day circular Rak
iura Track through New Zealand’s newest national park, Rakiura.
You can book adventure activities and accommodation options at the Island Outdoors Adventure Centre, located on the waterfront near the ferry terminal.
Accommodation
Bay Motel
12 quality studio, 1&2brm self-contained units, serviced daily.
Kaka Cottages & Motel
3 Studio units and 5 self-contained cottages.
Kowhai Lane Holiday Home
4 Double rooms & self contained apartment
Tour & Transport Operators
Useful websites
Photography courtesy of Venture Southland Tourism & Ulva Goodwillie.