Stewart Island short break: 2 days and 3 nights

The winter sun rises over Halfmoon Bay, © Helen Darling

Stewart Island welcomes less than 1.5% of the number of visitors that Queenstown does per year.  Those who are wise and adventurous enough to come to the island are rewarded with incredible and unique experiences, unforgettable landscapes and wildlife.

I am often asked for an itinerary – for those who want to maximise a short stay on the island.  This is what I would do (in a sort of chronological order):

First night (arrival day).  Book a kiwi spotting trip for the first night (this means that if the weather or other circumstances cancel then you have another night to go out).  There are a number of kiwi spotting experiences available and these vary in duration and level of fitness required.  Take a look at Ulvas Guided Walks or Beaks and Feathers as two different options.

Fish and Chips from the Kai Kart

Day 1: Head into the township and pick up a picnic lunch from one of these great places: The Snuggery, The Old ButcherShop Cafe or the Four Square supermarket.  Jump onto a water taxi and enjoy a 30 minute ride up to Port William, wandering at your leisure back to Lee Bay.  Once at Lee Bay jump on your pre-arranged electric bike and pedal back to town – stopping at bays on the way for a bit more walking, bird spotting or swimming.  Tonight’s a great night for a feed of fish and chips from the Kai Kart – all that walking and cycling need to be rewarded! (Locals hint: try the battered mussels - massive greenlip mussels farmed sustainably in the waters of Paterson Inlet)

Day 2: Take an early water taxi over to Ulva Island to either walk around by yourself or join a guided tour.  Enjoy your time in an ancient forest, take time to sit and enjoy the sights, sounds, smells and fresh air – it’s good for the soul.  If you are lucky enough you may even see a kiwi (in daylight).  The water taxi will take you back to Golden Bay where you can either wander back to the village for a great coffee or walk around the forest track to Deep Bay, back over the Petersons Hill track, arriving back at Greenvale.  Head out to the South Sea Hotel for dinner and (if you are lucky) a delicious crayfish tail.  If the skies are clear look to the south for aurora action or above for the milky way.

A South Island Robin, Ulva Island © Helen Darling

Day 3: Today is the day that you will understand why people choose to live on the island … because it is hard to leave.  If you have time before your flight or ferry check out the Rakiura Museum (where you can also pick up books and souvenirs of the island).

Day 4:  Book your next trip.

Many of the activities are weather dependent and the aurora cannot be guaranteed!   We do recommend pre-booking as everything becomes very busy in the height of the season and tours do get booked out.  We can assist guests with developing an itinerary and making the required bookings / arrangements.