However, with present growth partly driven by pent-up demand, she doesn’t know whether it will be sustainable long term. All prices include crew, catering (exclusive of alcohol), bedding and the use of all recreational equipment onboard. Stewart Island has over 245 km of walking tracks, including the famous Rakiura Track, one of New Zealand’s Great Walks. You can reach Stewart Island by ferry from Bluff, which takes about an hour, or by a 20-minute flight from Invercargill.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Sign in by entering the code we sent to , or clicking the magic link in the email. It’s “fantastic” to see the province’s tourism markets rebounding, says Southland MP Joseph Mooney, which will help the country recover from Covid and the recent cyclone. “That opens up Emirates’ huge global network for both leisure travellers and freight,” says Frood.
Stewart Island Experience – Passenger Ferry from Bluff to Oban
Mark Frood, the general manager of Southland regional development agency Great South Tourism and Events, says the word in the sector is that the independent-traveller and high-end tour group markets are strong. Having kept staff on during Covid, the business is less affected than some by recruiting problems. Stewart Island Promotions chair Aaron Joy, who owns a backpacker hostel, says his business had a record December, January turnover matched pre-Covid levels and February is looking strong. The US and Australian markets are “very strong” and New Zealand is getting more Singaporean and Malaysian tourists. Milford Sound is lagging because the China and other Asian markets are yet to recover.
In everything they do, they make an effort to minimise their impact, including through organising regular community beach clean-ups. These typically take place on Saturdays and Sundays, with visitors welcome to join. Stewart Island offers diverse activities, including scenic bush walks, wildlife tours, fishing charters, and sea kayaking. A visit to Ulva Island, a predator-free bird sanctuary, is also highly recommended. This remote island beckons visitors with its pristine landscapes, from serene coastal trails and dramatic seascapes to lush native bush teeming with rare birdlife.
Listen to a yarn or two, learn about the Island’s history, encounter wildlife and visit places of interest. So, if you’re planning a trip – check out our range of tours and destinations that keep this ethos at the heart. If you have already been on a trip with us and know exactly what you want, give us a call, drop by for a coffee or write us an email. Otherwise all you need is an idea of when and how long you’d like to be on board for.
Tourists flock to scenic south
- A lot of what Stewart Island has to offer is outdoor based, being such a raw, untouched natural gem.
- However, with present growth partly driven by pent-up demand, she doesn’t know whether it will be sustainable long term.
- Try your hand at catching fish (including the infamous Blue Cod) on a traditional hand-line.
- In addition to partnering with DoC and other government stakeholders on key issues, every year they take 12,000 visitors to the islands on world-class diving trips.
Ollie Peckham, part-owner of Stewart Island Adventures, a snorkelling and free-diving company, is enjoying seeing the return of international visitors, who account for half his business. Southland’s international tourism has rebounded quicker than expected with some tour operators busier in late spring and summer than pre-Covid. Yes, Stewart Island is one of the few places in New Zealand where you can see kiwi birds in their natural habitat, especially on guided night tours. Ulva Island is predator-free, allowing native bird populations to thrive, making it one of New Zealand’s most unique wildlife experiences. Staff shortages remain a problem and some tourism operators are worried cyclone disruption will deter visitors.
Among the underwater arches and caves, today you’ll find snapper in greater abundance and size than in non-reserve areas, and more species diversity than in the nearby Bay of Islands. The island’s untouched landscapes, from dense forests and rugged coastline to golden sandy beaches, make it a haven for marine and bird life, ideal for travellers who cherish nature and wildlife. Akaroa’s Marine Reserve is probably best known for its population of Hector’s dolphins, which are the rarest marine dolphins in the world.
Ulva Island is considered the «jewel in the crown» in Rakiura Stewart Island area, but the surrounding waters should be just as treasured. An ancient river valley (or «ria») that’s been submerged, the 1075ha marine reserve is an important nursery for 50 species of fish and home to brachiopods, penguins, sharks and octopus. Kāpiti Island is a predator-free nature reserve surrounded by the Kāpiti No deposit bonus New Zealand Marine Reserve, which links to the Waikanae Estuary Scientific Reserve on the adjacent mainland shore. The result is a rare continuum of protected land and sea, where fish and birds alike can be found in abundance.
Great day had by all at show
To get to the submerged reef, you’ll need a boat, with operators such as the family-owned Beachcomber Water Taxis (beachcombercruises.co.nz) offering private charters for scuba divers keen to investigate the reef systems. There is no schedule or set itinerary as every charter is as different as the people on board. M.V. Flightless is based in the coastal waters of Fiordland and Stewart Island beyond the Southern Alps of New Zealand. The quaint township of Te Anau (Fiordland) or Bluff (Stewart Island) is where it all starts. Here, amidst the lush native forest of towering rimu and totara, visitors can experience nature at its finest.
A multitude of wildlife gets on with their daily and seasonal life, tides rise and fall, birds nest along the shoreline and birdsong comes from the native foliage above. Our company believes local knowledge and passion is the key to providing this experience. To bring this to our visitors we partner with and promote small, local operators who are are a real part of the Island you are coming to explore.