Stewart Island Activities

Now you are on Stewart Island. What can you do? Some suggested island activities

Bus Trips

Island Culture Shuttle Tour

An entertaining and informative tour of Oban and surrounding bays. Our two hour shuttle tour encompasses photographic opportunities, Lee Bay the entrance to Rakiura National Park, Observation Rock, the location of walking tracks and points of scenic and historical interest.

POA, Ruggedy Range, Phone 03 219 1066

Island Explorer

Hop on board the big green bus and take an informative tour around Oban and he outlying picturesque bays. Sit back and enjoy our experienced guides commentary as you take in the Island’s points of interest.

Stewart Island Flights, Phone 03 219 1090 or 03 218 9129

Stewart Island Experience

Village and Bays Tour offer a 1.5 hour bus tour around the beaches and bays. This takes you to Lee Bay which is the start of the Rakiura National Park as well as other points of interest. Photographic opportunities are abundant and the drivers are most informative.

Stewart Island Experience, Phone 0800 000 511

Sails Scenic Tours

Offers a personalised tour to a maximum number of seven persons. It is a two hour excursion and encompasses local history, the opportunity to see wildlife and viewing of scenery and beaches. Minimum of two persons required.

Sails Scenic Tours, Phone 03 219 1151

Fishing

For those of you who wish to catch a Blue Cod, there are a couple of operators to assist you. They supply fishing gear (traditional hand lines) and you get a bag of fillets to take home with you at the end of the trip. Pelagic seabirds and fantastic scenery are a real bonus for free! The Kai Kart will cook your fillets for you if you do not wish to do it yourself.

Loloma Fishing Charters

Has a minimum charter number of four persons (less than four people wanting to fish, do put your name forward as there are always other people enquiring).

Loloma Fishing Charters, Richard “Squizzy” Squires, Phone 03 219 1141 or 027 393 8362

Rakiura Charters

Select from a morning or afternoon four hour tour including scenic Paterson Inlet, fishing and the historic Whaler’s Base. Experience the Ulva Island open sanctuary and enjoy the unique birdlife, including several rare and endangered species such as Saddleback. Prices may be subject to change.

Rakiura Charters, Freephone 0800 725 487

Rawhiti Excursions

Operates with a minimum of two persons Monday to Saturday. Catch a Blue Cod, watch the sea birds and enjoy a brief sojourn on Ulva Island while the skipper cooks some of the fish you have had a hand in catching. Prices are subject to change.

Book with Leasks, Rawhiti Excursions, Phone 03 219 1023

Golfing

You can hire golf clubs from the local flight centre and use the golf course located a Ringa Ringa Heights, approximately 15 minutes walk from the main township. The flight depot is located on Elgin Terrace.

Gymnasium

The Stewart Island Community Centre is available to visitors, with facilities including a weight room, full size stadium, sauna and squash court. Hire swipe cards are available at the South Seas Hotel, Elgin Terrace.

Stewart Island Community Centre, Phone 03 219 1059

Kiwi Spotting

Bravo Excursions offers Kiwi Spotting excursion during the evenings. This trip departs from the Halfmoon Bay Wharf and incorporates a boat journey, walking (some uphill) and requires a resasonable level of fitness and agility. Departure times vary from between 5.15pm – 9.00pm (influenced by daylight saving).

As it is weather dependent, clients are booked for each night of their stay and are asked to ring the Kiwi Spotting operators at about 5.00pm to see if the trip is going. This trip is well worth it, and whilst there are no absolute guarantees that Kiwi’s will co-operate, there are not very many times that Kiwi’s are not seen. To book contact Philip Smith.

Bravo Excursions, Phone 03219 1144

Kiwi Spotting – Overnight Option

Ruggedy Range operates a Kiwi Journey excursion. This tour encompasses a journey by boat to the head of Paterson Inlet, then along the winding Freshwater River. Upon disembarking from the boat at Freshwater Landing you then hike for approx 5-6 hours to Mason Bay, the route is overland across the Freshwater Flats, through wetland, scrub and tussock land. Look out for signs of Kiwi on the way and; whilst ou are in camp, even more thrilling is to see the Stewart Island Brown Kiwi during the day! Contact Furhana Ahmed at Ruggedy Range for all further enquiries or direct book. No agent bookings are available.

Ruggedy Range, Phone 03 219 1066

Mountain Bikes

Hire from the Oban Visitor Centre. Hire a mountain bike and explore the Island.

Rental cars and scooters are also available for hire from the Oban Visitor Centre, ‘The Red Shed’ Elgin Terrace
Phone 03 219 1056

Scooters

Hire from the Oban Visitor Centre. These are a good way to see the sights if you don’t like to bike. Training is given by staff before you let loose on your own. A driver’s licence is essential too. book these through the Stewart Island Experience depot (The Red Shed). Price varies depending on duration of hire.

Rental Cars

Available from Oban Visitor Centre.

Paterson Inlet Cruises
Join a cruise aboard the Stewart Island Experience ferry and enjoy the commentary and sights that are only accessible by water craft. This departs the main wharf at 12.45pm daily. This excursion includes a guided walk on Ulva Island. Booking is recommended.

Paterson Inlet Cruises

Rakiura Helicopters

Experience the magic of Stewart Island by helicopter. Scenic flights; photographic opportunities, transportation to hunting blocks. Get to remote locations in style. Minimum numbers apply.

Rakiura Helicopters, Phone 03 219 1155

Rakiura Museum

The museum is located on Ayr Street, Oban. It contains information on the history of Stewart Island, including whaling, mining, milling, fishing and boat building, community and natural history.

October to May:
Monday to Saturday 10.00am – 1.30pm
Sunday 12.00 noon – 2.00pm

June to September:
Monday to Friday         10.00am – Noon
Saturday                       10.00am – 1.30pm
Sunday                   12.00 Noon – 2.00pm

Rakiura Museum, Phone 03 219 1221

Restaurants, Cafes and Bars

There are a number of restaurants and cafes on Stewart Island. Listed are the following:

Church Hill Café and Restaurant

Meals by reservation only, generally 1 night in advance. Please contact reception to make a reservation, or phone direct.

Kamahi Road, Stewart Island, Phone 03 219 1323

Just Café

Visit New Zealand’s southern most internet café. Delicious selection of toasted sandwiches, home baking and soup.

6 Main Road, Stewart Island, Phone 03 219 1422

South Seas Hotel

Bookings are recommended, especially during the summer season (October – April).

Please ask staff to make a reservation, or use the reception phone (situated outside the reception office) for direct bookings.

Elgin Terrace, Stewart Island, Phone 03 219 1059

Kai Kart (Seasonal)

For a convenient takeaway meal try the Kai Kart’s famous Blue Cod, locally caught and battered before your eyes, or a generously proportioned hamburger. Dine in meals available also. Other specialty items include Southern Glory Oysters and Green Lipped Mussels.

Ayr Street, Stewart Island, Phone 03 219 1225

The Perfect Dinner

Phone / Text Annett
027 444 1802

Indulge yourself in an intimate dining experience with your friends in your own surrounds. Set menu options (3 courses) from $60 per person. Gourmet platters available. Delivered to your door.

Takeaways

Takeaways are available during the summer season (1 October – 31 March) from the Kai Kart, located on Ayr Street. Also available is a selection of dine in meals. Hours 11.30am – 2.30pm and 5.00pm to 9.00pm
Phone 03 219 1225

Takeaways are available during the winter season (31 March – 1 October) from the South Seas Hotel, Elgin Terrace.
Phone 03 219 1059

Service Station

Island Transport, our local garage, supplies all petrol, diesel and LPG gas on the Island. Island Transport also deals with local freight deliveries and has a garage for mechanical repairs.

14 Ayr Street, Oban, Phone 03 219 1266

Stewart Island Community Library

The Stewart Island Community Library has a range of fiction, non-fiction and children’s books, as well as magazines, puzzles, audio books and documentary DVD’s.

Library opening hours:
Monday            6.30pm – 7.30pm
Wednesday    2.00pm – 3.00pm
Friday              11.00am – 12.00pm
Saturday         11.00am – 12.00pm

The library is located at the Community Centre, Ayr Street, across from the Museum. Visitors welcome.

Stewart Island Flight Centre

This is the check in and delivery point for all fixed wing flights. Check in for your flight is 40 minutes prior to departure.

Also booking depot for the Coast to Coast Adventure: this is our “Fly, hike, boat” package Freshwater to Mason’s Beach and return. (Great chance to see a Kiwi).

Bus tours aboard our Island Explorer.
The Stewart Island Flight Centre is located on 40 Eglin Terrace, Halfmoon Bay.

Phone 03 219 1090, After Hours 03 218 9129

Tickety Boo Adventures

Stewart Island’s only Tuk Tuk. Tickety Boo Adventures operates during the summer season. Experience this unique way to explore the Island or book for transfers to your chosen destination.

Contact Terri or flag her down! if you wish to book for the following day.

Phone 03 219 1192 or 027 488 2563

Tramping

All tramping information is obtained from the Department of Conservation Office, Main Road, Stewart Island. They prefer people to contact them for information and advice, whether it is a short or longer tramp. They have pertinent, expert advice and up to date information on track conditions and climatic conditions. Leaflets on the tracks, hut passes and lockers are all available through DOC.

Phone 03 219 0002

Ulva Island

(Open Native Bird Sanctury): A visit to this fabulous Island is highly recommended. Native birds, flora and fauna, beaches and bush tracks are all on offer for your enjoyment. Water taxis depart from Golden Bay wharf and transfer you across Paterson Inlet (8 minutes) to the jetty at Post Office Bay.

Spend your time enjoying this unique pest free environment. Purchasing a self guide booklet is considered essential, containing track maps, information on the birds, flora and fauna plus historical data, it is a real asset. Proceeds from this booklet support the Ulva Island Trust in their endeavours.

Ulva Island Guides

Ruggedy Ranges

Fuhana Ahmed
Phone 03 219 1066

Water Taxi & Eco Guide

Ian Wilson
Phone 03 219 1394

Sails Ashore

Peter & Iris Tait
Phone 03 219 1151

Ulva’s Guided Walks

Ulva Goodwillie
Phone 03 219 1216

Walking on the Island

Stewart Island offers an array of walks – whatever your fitness and ability there is always a track that you can manage. Each walk has something different to offer, from bush and birdlife, scenery and landforms. There are several easy walks within the township and surrounding bays and Ulva Island (our bird sanctuary) is considered to be a must do for all visitors to Stewart Island.

At the Department of Conservation Office, an excellent leaflet is available for purchase, titled Day Walks. This gives information on all available tracks along with time and terrain guides. We recommend the purchase of this so you can get the most out of your walks.

Safety Tip: Please keep to the side of the road or footpath when walking, for your safety. During the summer season there is an increased pedestrian and traffic flow on the Island.

Water Taxi Operators

For transfers to Ulva Island & Guided Excursions upon request:

Aihe Eco Charters and Water Taxi – Furhana Ahmed
Phone 03 219 1066

Rakiura Adventure

Peter Cox
Phone 03 219 1013
Ulva Island Ferry times: 9.00am, 12 Noon, 4.00pm Monday to Saturday only
Departs from Golden Bay for Ulva Island

Seaview Water Taxi

Ken Geeson
Phone 03 219 1014

Stewart Island Water Taxi & Eco Guiding