Stewart Island

Stewart Island, known as New Zealand’s Third Island is renowned for its birdlife. It’s separated from South Island by Foveaux Strait. Getting there is possible by Air or Sea.

By Air - Southern Air fly twin-engine, Britten Norman Islander Aircraft. Several scheduled flights depart Invercargill Airport daily. The twenty minute flight, lands at Ryans Creek Airfield, a mile (2 km) out of Oban. A courtesy van brings you to the Southern Air Depot, in the heart of town.

By Sea - Foveaux Express, and it’s sister catamaran Southern Express cross Foveaux Strait from Bluff in an hour. There are morning and afternoon sailings twice daily, most days of the year. The ferry lands at the Halfmoon Bay wharf, just five minutes walk from the Pub.

Getting here is half the fun. Usually the crossing is a very pleasant trip, watching the Island grow as you approach. However, Foveaux Strait, can cut up rough at times, and the crossing isn’t so pleasurable. Very occasionally we may be cut off from the world for a day or so - but that’s island life.

Day trips are possible, either by sea or air. You’ll have time to wander round town, take a bus tour round the roads, and maybe fit in a boat excursion on Paterson Inlet. However, to really experience Stewart Island you need to spend more time.

Accommodation is available for most tastes. There’s no “Rakiura Hilton” with white-jacketed waiters hovering at your elbow, and a casino upstairs. You’ll find a range of comfortable Stewart Island accommodation, and good meals - with seafood a specialty.

Traveller’s Tips

Leave pretention, surplus baggage, and our sense of time behind. More than one local has forgotten to return from the holiday started a decade ago.

• Weather is changeable - bring sensible outdoor clothing and footwear. Don’t go to extremes - even in winter it isn’t an Arctic clime - snowshoes are never worn.
• Forget the fancy clothes - locals take anyone wearing a suit in the bar for a politician - and expect them to shout the drinks. Wear a dinner jacket, and we’ll take you for a penguin, and gently, but firmly, toss you back in the tide.
• Keep baggage to a minimum - especially if coming by air. The plane is small, and baggage per passenger is definitely limited when there’s a full complement of passengers.