Stewart Island Island

Website: https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/southland/places/rakiura-stewart-island/

Stewart Island / Rakiura is New Zealand’s third-largest island, located to the south of the South Island. The island is known for its large areas of native forest and relatively small permanent population.

Outdoor activities include tramping, birdwatching, fishing and sea-kayaking; most visitors base themselves in the main settlement of Oban. Much of the island’s interior is protected as national parkland, offering marked tracks and backcountry huts for walkers.

Māori have long used the island for seasonal resources and habitation, and European sealing and fishing followed in the 19th century; the island retains elements of both Māori and European heritage. Conservation and tourism have been important to the island’s modern economy.

Stewart Island lies off the southern coast of New Zealand’s South Island across Foveaux Strait and is administered as part of the Southland Region, with regular ferry and air connections to the mainland.

• Access: Ferry services connect the island to Bluff on New Zealand’s South Island; weather can affect schedules so booking and checking timetables is advised.
• Wildlife viewing: The island is often promoted for night-time wildlife viewing of kiwi, which are comparatively accessible here compared with the New Zealand mainland.

What to See#

• Oban (main settlement): Oban is the island’s main settlement and ferry terminal, serving as the primary point of access and local services for residents and visitors.
• Rakiura National Park: Rakiura National Park covers a large portion of the island and protects native forest and birdlife, including nocturnal bird species such as kiwi.

Stewart Island / Rakiura is served by the ferry from Bluff (Southland, near Invercargill) to Oban (the island’s settlement) operated by RealNZ (passenger and vehicle ferry); the crossing takes about one hour. Bluff is reached by road from Invercargill (roughly a 20-30 minute drive south on State Highway 1). There are also small scheduled flights from Invercargill to Stewart Island’s airstrip for a short light-aircraft transfer.

• Most visitors arrive on the daily ferry from Bluff to Oban-take the morning sailing to give yourself a full day for walks, the Ulva Island boat trip and local trails.
• Book an Ulva Island boat trip or guided night kiwi tour from Oban in advance; Ulva's predator‑free bird sanctuary and dusk kiwi walks are highlights that day‑visitors and many casual visitors miss.