12 Best Holiday Homes on Stewart Island 🏡 [2023]

1. Kererū House

Centrally located in Oban, Kererū House is a four-bedroom house just a two-minute walk from Oban’s shops, restaurants and ferry terminal. There’s room for up to 12 guests to stay, as the home features two modern bathrooms, an open-plan lounge and kitchen, and an outside deck with a barbecue. With central heating, you’ll keep warm in winter, while additional facilities, like a washing machine, tea and coffee, and a TV, make your stay almost too easy.

Check Kererū House out:

• Kererū House on Expedia

© Kererū House

2. New House with Sea Views Stewart Island/Rakiura

One of the newest holiday homes on Stewart Island, this three-bedroom, two-bathroom holiday home sits on a ridge with sea views on both sides. The architecturally designed home boasts stylish open-plan living with a kitchen, a heat pump to keep you warm (guests are not permitted to use the fireplace), and the sound of native birds surrounding the property to keep a smile on your face. Free pick-up is available on request. However, we recommend guests rent a car for this out-of-town stay.

Check New House out:

• New house with sea views Stewart Island/Rakiura on Expedia

© New house with sea views Stewart Island/Rakiura

3. Argyle Apartments

Sleek, stylish and so close to town, Argyle Apartments is an irresistible prospect! The views of Halfmoon Bay and Oban are absorbed through the large ranch slider windows of the holiday home’s open-plan lounge and kitchen, which is well-equipped with a full oven. There’s also one spacious bathroom with a shower and two bedrooms; one with a double bed and the other with two singles, ideal for a family or group of four. This accommodation is also one of our top picks in the 5 Best Family Accommodations on Stewart Island.

Check Argyle Apartments out:

• Argyle Apartments on Expedia

© Argyle Apartments

4. Butterfield Beach House

A couple of bays away from Oban, Butterfield Beach House sits across the road from the golden sands of Butterfield Beach. It’s far enough from Oban for a tranquil stay yet close enough for convenience, especially as your stay includes a six-seater rental car. The four-bedroom holiday home sleeps up to a whopping 10 guests, ideal for a couple of families travelling together. The layout of this well-presented beach house features an open-plan kitchen and French doors leading out to an elevated verandah.

© Butterfield Beach House

5. Inlet View – Architectural, Warm Inviting Home

One of Stewart Island’s most contemporary and stylish holiday homes is the Inlet View holiday home, found on Airbnb. Located on a quiet street at the back of Oban, close to Golden Bay where the Ulva Island ferry departs, this three-bedroom holiday home is a beautiful place to recharge. With double-glazing and central heating, you’ll hardly struggle to keep warm, while the coffee machine and smart TV are some of the more luxurious offerings of this upmarket holiday home. For more advice on using Airbnb, check out Everything You Need to Know About Airbnb in New Zealand.

© Inlet View - Architectural, Warm Inviting Home

6. Aurora Lodge

A more premium holiday home on Stewart Island is Aurora Lodge, a designer three-bedroom home with unbeatable views sitting adjacent to the famous Observation Rock. With stylish interiors and large windows soaking in the views and birdsong, there’s plenty to admire inside and out. Guests tend to love entertaining in the spacious open-plan kitchen with a breakfast bar leading into the lounge. See more options like this in the 5 Best Luxury Accommodations on Stewart Island.

© Aurora Lodge

7. Breakaway Holiday Homes

Finding a more affordable holiday home on Stewart Island isn’t exactly easy, but the neighbouring Breakaway Holiday Homes, also on Airbnb, are some of the cheapest. Choose from either a three-bedroom home sleeping up to six (Breakaway 1) or a two-bedroom home sleeping up to four (Breakaway 2), both presented like a classic Kiwi bach with old-school furnishings but comfortable enough. All the essential facilities are available, like a kitchen, bathroom and laundry machines. Check out more budget stays in the 5 Best Budget Accommodations in Stewart Island.

© Breakaway Holiday Homes

8. Whalers Rest

Another Kiwi bach on Stewart Island, Whalers Rest offers a compact three-bedroom holiday home sleeping a family of five with ease. Most rooms are modernly decorated, including the open-plan kitchen and lounge with a log burner. The bedrooms and bathrooms are quite small but comfortable enough for a short stay. You’ll find two rooms with queen beds and one with a bunk bed. What’s more, you’re only a short walk from town.

© Whalers Rest

9. Peterson’s Hill Crib

Enjoy modern living atop Peterson’s Hill where the views of Halfmoon Bay are unrivalled and the sun shines on most of the day. While it’s a steep but short climb to get there from town, the space might be worth it with its two bedrooms, open-plan living area and kitchen all opening up onto an expansive deck. One bedroom has a queen bed, while the other has a queen and a bunk bed. This holiday home can be found on Airbnb.

© Peterson's Hill Crib

10. Ringaringa Beach Cottage

Get further off the beaten track by staying at Ringaringa Beach Cottage, sitting adjacent to a beach where penguins, kiwi birds and pelagic birds are often spotted. The two-bedroom holiday home can squeeze even larger groups in with a queen bed, three single beds and a sofa bed. Soak in the sun in the conservatory or spruce something up in the compact but well-equipped kitchen. Transfers to the home are available and car hire is included.

© Ringaringa Beach Cottage

11. Beach House

A rustic beach house with three bedrooms and a whole lot of sleeping arrangements, Beach House is a good choice for non-fussy families who want to escape from it all. Set in Braggs Bay, the holiday home boasts sea views on both sides of the property and is only metres away from Braggs Bay Beach and the Horseshoe Point walking track. While the house is a little out of town, a complimentary vehicle is included in your stay to make getting around easier. Find this holiday home on Airbnb.

© Beach House

12. Oban Ocean View

Finally, stay super central in Oban without sacrificing the views at Oban Ocean View. People-watch or admire the sunset from your private balcony complete with cosy outdoor furniture and a barbecue. Inside, you have two pretty compact bedrooms with two bunks in one room and a double bed in the other. Relax in the timber-lined lounge and cook up something in the well-equipped kitchen which includes a coffee maker.

© Ocean View Oban