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New Zealand's third largest island
Photo: Kristina D.C. Hoeppner from Wellington, New Zealand, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Stewart Island is the third largest island of New Zealand after the South Island and the North Island, known for its wild kiwi birds, cute small-island town, backcountry recreation, and Ulva Island rare bird sanctuary. It lies 30 km to the south of the South Island, separated from it by Foveaux Strait. With an area of 1,746 km² (674 mi²), it is far smaller than the two main islands, but is nearly twice the size of the next largest island, Chatham Island with 920 km² (355 mi²), and far bigger than all the other small islands of the temperate New Zealand archipelago.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
Department of Conservation (DoC) office in Oban, with a small exhibition and information counter.
Volunteer-run museum with an interesting historical and nature collection, which moved to a new bigger building in 2020.
A park-like area of mostly native garden given to the people by the late Miss Noeline Baker. It is particularly worth visiting if you are not going to explore the native woodland in more detail, and even if you are, the labels on some of the trees may be of interest. Also offers good views looking towards Halfmoon Bay.
Te Puka - the anchorstone
A section of giant anchor chain and some interpretation boards by the beach at Lee Bay. The anchor chain reflects Maori legends that Stewart Island acts as an anchor for the great ancestral canoe Te Waka o Aoraki (the South Island). The chain is at the start of the Rakiura Track.
A surprisingly impressive viewpoint close to town, overlooking the southern bays of the Oban area. You can drive to it if you have a vehicle (then go up a few steps and down a very short trail).
Built in 1836, this is the oldest structure on the island.
4–5 hours return walk from the town or via water taxi.
Departs from Golden Bay at 9AM, noon, and 2PM. Departs from Ulva Island at 12:15, 2:15PM, and 4:15PM. Don't forget to hold onto your eco-friendly "leaf ticket" for the journey back.
Four hours exploration of Ulva Island. The guide was one-time Ranger in Charge of Stewart Island, and has over 40 years Ulva Island experience. Party size is usually less than 7, and tour includes all transfers.
Explore Ulva Island. This guiding company was named by the owner, Ulva Goodwillie, who is named after the island. Ulva is a direct descendant of the first Maori peoples of Stewart Island and is passionate and very knowledgeable about this special place. Departs from Golden Bay Wharf.
36 km and takes 3 days
125 km and takes 7-12 days.
71.5 km and takes 4-6 days.
Fly to Mason Bay and land on the beach, walk to the Freshwater Hut (4 hours), then take a ferry back to town.
Learn to fish the traditional way with handlines; no rods here! It's a lot easier and tourists are always surprised at how quick it is to catch some Blue Cod! Richard "Squizzy" Squires' family has always lived on Stewart Island and he knows the waters here like the back of his hand. If there are fish to be caught, he will take you there! Also a great chance to see seabirds in their natural environment; albatrosses, mollymawks, muttonbirds etc etc.
"A Local's Tail" is a quirky 40-minute movie about Stewart Island produced by Stewart Island Bunkhouse Theatre. Narrated and shown from the eyes of a dog, it gives you a fascinating insight into the Island's history and heritage as well as more up-to-date footage. Don't forget a $2 coin for the popcorn machine and you can purchase a small range of drinks, snacks and ice-cream.
Try local Southern Glory Oysters, grown and harvested on Stewart Island.
Caravan serving good fish and chips (and great coleslaw). Some outdoor seats if you don't want to take away.
Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner you have the choice of dining in the restaurant or the bar. During summer hours the kitchen also offers a short cafe menu during the afternoon. Bookings are strongly recommended in the summer months.
A very small but more-or-less fully stocked supermarket is great for people wishing to cater for themselves and they also offer a great range of home-made sandwiches, hot pies, ice-creams etc
This is the only pub in town and is the hub of the community. Drink prices are reasonable compared to the mainland; in a lot of cases cheaper, with tap beer priced $4.50 from upwards. The bar has a Happy Hour Tu 17:00–18:30 and bar food is always available, or you can get a meal from the restaurant. Friday night is a great night to meet the locals and listen to their yarns. Sunday night is Quiz Night, starting at 6:30PM promptly. It has been featured on TV, radio and in many newspapers. Registrations start at 6PM, but in the summer months the pub fills up rapidly, so it's recommended to go in about an hour before that to get a seat!
Apparently the only proper backpackers hostel still operating on the island, located right in Oban. Well run hostel, with about 50 bedrooms - a mix of twin, double and four bed dorms. Large kitchen and laundry. Those on the tent site can use the hostel facilities.
Rustic, off-grid hilltop camp outside of town (about 30 minutes' walk), near one end of the Rakiura Track and other hikes. Quirky and cutely decorated, run entirely by its 80-year-old owner. Includes simple kitchen (no electrical appliances) and one shared shower and toilet. Bring your own sleeping bag and towel, but the beds in the huts do have mattresses and pillows. No Wifi, but our Vodafone cell service worked great there. A bit run-down and disorganized, but more than suitable for rough-and-tumble backpacker types, and probably the cheapest beds around. Good for visitors who prefer being out in nature over the comforts of normal accommodations. Wild kiwi birds are sometimes seen in the camp at night.
Nestled amongst native bush and birds. Accommodations range from studio apartments to group bookings for up to 24 people.
All 4 guest rooms are centrally heated and en suite, with shared kitchen, dining and lounge. It has a harbour view.
Twelve rooms.
The main building has traditional (historic) hotel rooms upstairs, which have a washbasin in the room and shared bathrooms along the corridor. There are ensuite motel units with their own kitchen in a building behind. The atmosphere and welcome make up for the older facilities (which are well maintained).
T-shirts and Merino clothing
Souvenirs and postcards.
Souvenirs and postcards
Souvenirs and postcards
E-bikes for hire. Only the 4 hour & 6 hour options are bookable online.
By boat
Stewart Island Experience runs a scheduled passenger ferry service from Bluff, near Invercargill, to Oban/Half Moon Bay, with 2-4 departures during the day (dependent on time of year).
By plane
Stewart Island Flights makes three 20-minute flights a day from Invercargill Airport.
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Invercargill · Regional · IVC
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