Fly in to Stewart Island
Albatrosses
Go kayak
New Zealand Fur Seal
Oystercatchers at the beach
Tramping options for all ages
Early out for a boat trip
Fishing!
Mollymawk Albatross watching
Explore the beaches
Explore along the coast
Have a swim
Penguin was here
Small trip to Ulva Island
Curious robins at Ulva Island
Fern Forest right at Observation Rock Lodge
Find native orchids at our place
Native orchid at Observation Rock Lodge
Wood pigeon in her favourite garden spot
Tui always around
There are several departures daily by ferry from Bluff (1 hour) www.stewartislandexperience.co.nz, or small plane from Invercargill (15 minutes) www.stewartislandflights.com, as well as customized Helicopter charters.
There are great Air New Zealand connections throughout the country – you can fly down from Auckland, or eg Napier, leaving in the morning and be at Stewart Island for lunch! From Australia there are great connections to Queenstown or Dunedin which bring you within hours to Southland and Stewart Island.
Take your time – many guests found Stewart Island the highlight of their New Zealand travels, offering the best of all experiences in one place, and wished to have more days available.
We can advise and organise activities – you will be five min walk away from Golden Bay wharf / departure point to Ulva Island Nature Reserve & Open Bird sanctuary (we can arrange water taxi transport for you).
We are happy to organise your Ulva Island visit – you just go and have a wonderful experience 🙂
To the village centre it is a stroll of 8 min. You will find a general store as well as a lovely museum, craft shops and the Department of Conservation Visitor Centre. There is a limited number of Cafes or Restaurants.
A very special opportunity is Greenstone Carving – There is a master carver on the island, and with a one day workshop you even could make your own piece of Jade / New Zealand Greenstone.
You can hire Electrical bikes – easy and fun to get around with.
IF you are lucky to have an AURORA AUSTRALIS (southern lights) to occur, the Lodge with the bedrooms, decks and lounge facing southwest, would be THE place to watch it. We are following up Aurora Forecasts, as we are very keen to see them ourselves, and are happy to keep you updated once here.
Also, we are the perfect place to watch the stars and milky way – Southern Cross is raising above Observation Rock. No light pollution at our side of the village. Stewart Island´s Dark Sky Reserve!
Guided Tours are offered by different operators.
We have Kiwis visiting right here and in the nature reserve next to us, but this cannot be planned …
Stewart Island is a walker´s paradise, offering stunning coastal, bush and forest walks from 10 min to half or full day activities, for all fitness and ability levels. Our favourites right at the door step are Fuchsia Walk (a perfect 10 min alternative to get to the village centre), Raroa Walk (huge native trees in a never milled forest), Golden Bay-Deep Bay-Ringaringa Walk (forest, coastline and beach – all together). Clothing and footwear for “all seasons” is advisable, also bring a torch if you might go out at night time.
Walk on the RAKIURA TRACK – one of New Zealand´s Great Walks. Day one (Oban to Port William) and day three (North Arm to Oban) are the nicest parts of the walk and can be done as easy and comfortable day walks. Off by water taxi and back home to all luxury in the afternoon!
Fishing, water taxi charter, kiwi spotting – plenty of opportunities. Guided tours and rental cars are available at the island – but the road system is very limited and the beauty of the place is experienced best by walking. We are happy to advise and help with the organising. Also see www.stewartisland.co.nz
Stewart Island, anchor of Aotearoa. “There is a mystique about Stewart Island that is not found elsewhere in New Zealand. It has to do with its wilderness atmosphere, haven qualities, limited development, small population and location off the beaten track”. Leonard Cockayne, a pioneer botanist, wrote of Stewart Island in the early 19oos: ´It is hard to speak of the scenery of Stewart Island without using a superabundance of superlatives´. Little has changed across much of the island since Cockayne´s day. Superlatives are still appropriate. Rakiura remains the most intact – the least logged, burnt and built upon of New Zealand´s three main islands. It is a natural treasure – a green gem in a blue setting.” (Stewart Island – a Rakiura Ramble, by Neville Peat)