Wild Stewart Island

Known in Maori as Rakiura or ‘the land of glowing skies’ Stewart Island is New Zealand’s third largest island and over 85% of the island is national park. The main attraction here is the walking and pristine wild beauty of this southerly island. Just offshore you will find Ulva Island, a predator free bird sanctuary with rare and native birds.

Stay at Stewart Island Lodge for three restful nights and spend two full days with expert guides discovering the wild, natural beauty of both Stewart and Ulva Island. You will get up close and personal with a superb array of birdlife and pelagic marine life and Stewart Island is also home the brown kiwi, said to outnumber humans on the island.  Whilst it remains elusive, here on Stewart Island you have an excellent chance of spotting one during an evening twilight tour.

For bird lovers the tick list is remarkable and alongside the brown kiwi it also includes the bellbird, tui, kaka, tomtit and saddleback plus many more. The marine birdlife is no less abundant with at least 8 species of albatross including wandering, Northern royal, Southern royal and Buller's alongside yellow-eyed, blue and Fiordland crested penguins. Petrels, shearwaters and fulmars are also found in strong numbers.

Stewart Island is accessible by ferry or a 20-minute flight. 

October - April

Highlight species

	Brown kiwi
	Kaka
	Wandering albatross
	Bellbird

Key species

	Northern Royal Albatross
	Southern Royal Albatross
	Buller's Albatross
	Yellow-eyed Penguin
	Fiordland Penguin
	Little or Blue Penguin
	Petrels
	Shearwaters
	Fulmars

Cost from £

Please contact us for a cost for when you wish to travel.

Departure Dates

Fixed departure dates, please enquire.

Difficulty

Generally easy birding although some rough and steep ground can be expected. Boat excursion.

Flights

Flights and ferry options from Invercargill on South Island.

Time

GMT +13 hours

South & North Island or return to South Island and cruise the sub-Antarctic islands.