The Complete Travel Guide to Stewart Island

A Travel Guide to Stewart Island

A lesser-known island that’s as far south as many of us will go in our lifetime, Stewart Island is the final frontier for those travelling New Zealand. Just off the southern coast of the South Island, Stewart Island or “Rakiura” is a paradise of golden beaches, turquoise waters, pristine rainforest, sand dunes and, admittedly, a fair bit of mud. Around 80% of the island is the Rakiura National Park, while its only town, Oban, is home to just 400 residents. Among its locals, you’re likely to interact with kaka (bush parrots) or even come across kiwi birds roaming in the gardens at night. Stewart Island offers visitors a taste of what New Zealand used to be.

If you want to plan your own island getaway, get started with this complete travel guide to Stewart Island with links to various guides to suit your preferred travel style.

Fast Facts About Stewart Island

Location: Approximately 40km (25 miles) off the southern shores of the South Island.

Population: 400

Climate: Daily average temperature – 9.5°C/49.1°F, yearly average rainfall – 1,182mm/46.5″
Find out more in What is the Weather Like in New Zealand?

Time zone: NZST / GMT+12/+13

How to get to Stewart Island: Stewart Island is accessible via the Stewart Island Experience ferry from Bluff (available on Viator and Tripadvisor), helicopter flight from Bluff or fixed-wing flight from Invercargill. The closest international airport is Queenstown Airport (3 hours drive), which also has frequent domestic flights from Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.

Stewart Island for Budget Travellers

Take the ferry to Stewart Island and you can easily spend at least a couple of days here experiencing how different New Zealand’s third island really is. If you thought the nature on the North and South Islands were amazing, wait until you stay at the backpackers or budget B&Bs of Oban where meeting friendly kaka outside of your accommodation is a common occurrence. While Stewart Island is a hikers’ paradise, home to a myriad of trails in the national park and from Oban, there are also some surprising and affordable finds like a local museum, boutique cinema and more. Find out more about them in The Guide to Stewart Island on a Budget.

Budget Activities on Stewart Island

Relax on Bathing Beach
Walk to picturesque beaches on the Horseshoe Bay and Lee Bay walking trail
Check out the Rakiura Museum
Watch a local movie at the Bunkhouse Theatre
Take a trip to the bird sanctuary of Ulva Island.

For more budget activities, check out the 10 Free & Cheap Things to Do in Stewart Island.

Budget Accommodation on Stewart Island

While most of Stewart Island’s accommodation is more expensive than what you’ll find in the rest of the country, there are a select few accommodations that suit tighter budgets. You’ll find a couple of backpacker hostels, a budget B&B and a hotel with affordable rooms. Check them out in the 5 Best Budget Accommodation in Stewart Island.

Stewart Island for Luxury Travellers

Aside from active adventures like the Rakiura Great Walk, Stewart Island is also a place to relax, disconnect from the outside world and connect with nature. There is a small selection of boutique lodges and B&Bs that will help you do that with ease, whether it’s soaking in the views of turquoise waters from your deck or soaking in a hot tub under the stars of a Dark Sky Sanctuary. Bird watching and kiwi spotting tours, as well as a great white shark cage dive, will help you get closer to nature, while scenic cruises and flights allow you to soak in the splendour of Stewart Island’s pristine wilderness. Get started on planning all this or something else fabulous using The Luxury Guide to Stewart Island.

Luxury Activities on Stewart Island

See Stewart Island from the skies on a helicopter or fixed-wing flight
Explore Stewart Island via a small-group bird watching, photography or guided hiking tour
Dive with great white sharks
Be treated to a scenic cruise
Indulge in fine local cuisine.

For more details on each experience and others, see the 6 Luxury Activities on Stewart Island.

Luxury Accommodation on Stewart Island

While you won’t exactly find five-stars on Stewart Island, you will find some upmarket boutique lodges and B&Bs offering a tranquil retreat. There are also some contemporary holiday homes that you’ll never want to leave. Discover more in the 5 Best Luxury Accommodation in Stewart Island.

Stewart Island for Families

Stewart Island is a fantastic place for families to teach kids the importance and beauty of the natural world. A trip to the wildlife sanctuary of Ulva Island is a must, which is an island full of short walks where seeing parakeet, weka, kaka and even kiwi birds is an exciting experience for the whole family. Driving tours of the island and cruises make exploring easy and ensures that parents get a break too. Going to the beach and treating the kids to fresh fish and chips are some of the more relaxing experiences. Start planning your family getaway with The Guide to Stewart Island for Families.

Things to Do on Stewart Island with Kids

Watch the array of birds and look out for kiwi on Ulva Island
Do the family-friendly Fuchsia Walk and Raroa Reserve Track
Hit the highlights on an entertaining driving tour
Try some fresh fish and chips
Play some giant chess on the waterfront.

For more details on each activity and many more, check out the 10 Things to Do in Stewart Island with Kids.

Family Accommodation on Stewart Island

The most abundant of family accommodation on the island are holiday homes, which you can check out in the 10 Best Holiday Homes on Stewart Island. Otherwise, family rooms are limited to a couple of motels and one backpacker hostel. Find out more in the 5 Best Family Accommodation on Stewart Island.

Stewart Island for Couples

When many think of an “island getaway” they might not picture an island that’s classed as a Subantarctic Island. But the crystal clear waters, golden sands, an abundance of nature and vivid night’s sky are all awaiting on Stewart Island, offering plenty of opportunities to escape the crowds and connect with nature and each other. Stay in the gorgeous boutique lodges of the island or tackle one of the multi-day hiking trails together where you can snuggle under the stars or the Southern Lights in the campgrounds and huts. Plan your romantic escape using The Honeymoon Guide to Stewart Island.

Romantic Activities on Stewart Island

Take on the challenge of a multi-day hike together
Stargaze in an International Dark Sky Sanctuary
Carve a greenstone pendant for each other
Explore the coast by double-kayak
Go for a romantic stroll on the beach.

For more details on each experience and others, take a look at the 10 Romantic Activities on Stewart Island for Couples.

Romantic Accommodation on Stewart Island

It’s as if Stewart Island was made for couples with an array of boutique lodges, B&Bs and even an adult-only motel setting the right tone for a peaceful stay. Check out some of our top picks in the 10 Best Romantic Accommodation on Stewart Island.

Stewart Island for Foodies

Although there are not enough “foodie” experiences on Stewart Island to make a full travel guide on the subject, the island does boast some food staples of New Zealand. For instance, blue cod fishing is huge in the waters of the Foveaux Strait, which has made the fish and chips of Stewart Island something of a legend! Try some for yourself at the Kai Kart or the South Sea Hotel.

Other seafood staples of the island are the salmon from the local salmon farms and local crayfish, which are presented with fine dining in mind at the Church Hill Boutique Restaurant.

Check out more restaurant recommendations in The Honeymoon Guide to Stewart Island and The Guide to Stewart Island on a Budget.

Where to Stay on Stewart Island

For more details on our top picks, check out the 8 Best Boutique Accommodation on Stewart Island and 6 Best Motels in Stewart Island.

More About Stewart Island

Author

Laura S.

This article was reviewed and published by Laura, editor in chief and co-founder of NZ Pocket Guide. Since arriving solo in New Zealand over 10 years ago and with a background in journalism, her mission has been to show the world how easy (and awesome) it is to travel New Zealand. She knows Aotearoa inside-out and loves sharing tips on how best to experience New Zealand’s must-dos and hidden gems. Laura is also editor of several other South Pacific travel guides and is the co-host of NZ Pocket Guide’s live New Zealand travel Q&As on YouTube.

Contact Laura via our contact page