Stewart Island / Rakiura
New Zealand's largely untouched third island, 85% protected as Rakiura National Park, and one of the few places left where kiwi can reliably be seen in the wild, including by day.
Quick Facts
- Region
- Southland, South Island
- Best time
- Year-round; kiwi spotting tours run most evenings
- Entry fee
- Free (park); kiwi tours from ~$150
- Duration
- Full day – multi-day
Overview
Stewart Island (Rakiura, 'land of the glowing skies', a reference to both its sunsets and southern lights) sits across Foveaux Strait from the South Island mainland, with a permanent population of under 400 people concentrated in the small settlement of Oban. The vast majority of the island is protected as Rakiura National Park, largely untouched native bush with no significant introduced predators.
That predator-free status is why Stewart Island has become one of the most reliable places in New Zealand to see kiwi in the wild — and unusually, the island's kiwi are sometimes active during the day as well as at night, a rarity for a species normally strictly nocturnal on the mainland.
Things To Do
- Wild kiwi spotting tour — guided evening tours with a high chance of seeing kiwi in their natural habitat.
- Rakiura Track — a 3-day Great Walk loop through native coastal and forest terrain.
- Ulva Island — a short water taxi ride to a predator-free island sanctuary with abundant birdlife.
- Oban village — the island's only settlement, with a handful of cafes, accommodation and a pub.
- Fishing and boat charters — Stewart Island's waters are known for blue cod and other fishing.
Getting There
Stewart Island is reached by a 1-hour ferry from Bluff (itself about 30 minutes from Invercargill) or a short flight from Invercargill. There are no cars to bring — most visitors explore Oban on foot.
| Location | Stewart Island / Rakiura, across Foveaux Strait from Bluff |
|---|---|
| Opening Hours | Accessible via scheduled ferry and flights; check timetables |
| Entry Fee | Free for the national park; kiwi tours typically from NZD $150 |
| Duration | Full day minimum; most visitors stay 2–3 nights |
| Accessibility | Oban village is walkable; most tracks are unformed bush terrain |
Gallery
Nearby Attractions
Doubtful Sound
A quieter, larger fjord than Milford Sound, reached via Manapouri.
Milford Sound
A dramatic fjord of towering cliffs, waterfalls and resident pods of dolphins.
Bluff
New Zealand's southernmost town, famous for its oysters and the ferry to Stewart Island.