Rakiura track stewart island 2020 all you need to know. Stewart islanders are proud of their island, enjoying its simpler, slower pace. To get to oban, the only township on stewart islandrakiura, you can take a 20minute flight from invercargill or a 1hour ferry trip across foveaux strait from the southern port of bluff. You will need to book your stewart island ferry in order to participate in this activity. Conveniently located in the heart of halfmoon bay, stewart island backpackers is just 3minutes drive to the fern gully entrance to the rakiura track, one of new zealands great walks. Stewart island, home to new zealands newest national park, rakiura, is the third largest and most southerly of new zealands main islands, separated from the south island by the 30km 19mile. Stewart island day tours and activities go new zealand. Hotels on stewart island, new zealand the best hotels. I am going to throw in a 4 th reason to why new zealand is one of the best hiking destinations in the world and that reason is the variety of treks available. Stewart island enjoys the perfect outdoor environment for a selection of trekking, tramping, hiking and guided walks. Select stewart island hiking and walking tours from the list below. Guests can make use of the spacious games room and living area, stocked with board games, jigsaw puzzles, dvds and a guitar. It lies 30 kilometres 19 mi south of the south island, across the foveaux strait.
Operates summer months only dec mar other information. Ulva island in relative isolation but with easy access from stewart island is a sanctuary for both birds and plants, holding species that are rare or have died out on the mainland of new zealand. Tour departs from the oban visitor centre on stewart island. At the bottom of the country is the third island, stewart island. The two main islands of new zealand are well known to tourism.
The 5 best things to do in stewart island 2020 with photos. Gain an entertaining insight into new zealands southernmost community. Te punga o te waka a maui, the original maori name, positions stewart island firmly at the heart of maori mythology. Two islands with completely disparate diving, new zealands waters offer a wealth of wrecks, fjords and kelp forests that will evoke an awe inspired reaction. Stewart island is located in the southland region of new zealand.
Book your tickets online for the top things to do in stewart island, new zealand on tripadvisor. Stewart island is the place to find peace and solitude, surrounded by a habitat that has changed little for thousands of years. Things to do in stewart island everything new zealand. Come and explore the walking tracks in stewart island, from short walks to full day walks, from public walking tracks to private guided walking tours. Stewart island is home to one of new zealands great walks, the rakiura track, as well as a number of walking and hiking trails. Hostel stewart island backpackers, halfmoon bay, new zealand. New zealand s hiking and outdoor adventure specialist with tours to suit all fitness levels on great walks and trails.
A short ferry ride across the famous foveaux strait from a small township called bluff will get you there in approximately 2 hours. It has aircraft connections with invercargill and a ferry service to bluff. The property offers free use of the onsite bbq and large communal kitchen. Rakiura track new zealand hiking trails stewart island. Home to the raikura national park, which takes up roughly 85% of the entire island, stewart island tours and activities include hiking, fishing, wildlife encounters, and plenty of waterrelated activities like diving and sea kayaking. Book stewart island track our active earth adventures site has adventures beyond new zealand as well as cycling, skiing, rafting. Stewart island flights ltd is a fully new zealand owned and operated registered. If youre into hiking and want to see some of the more untouched areas of the country, you should definitely book a trip to stewart island. Check out lonely planets new zealand s north island guide or new zealand s south island guide for a comprehensive look at what each of these islands has to offer. Book stewart island track hiking nz hiking new zealand. Stewart island is new zealands third largest island, situated 30 kilometres south of the south island, across the foveaux strait. Stewart island walking tours are a great way to see the amazing scenery, wildlife and attractions in new zealand. In 1997, the island was declared ratfree, following an eradication program, and extirpated birds have been reintroduced to the island.
From the subtropical reefs and beaches of the north island to the unique topography and temperate waters of the south. Stewart island is a 1 hour ferry ride from bluff at the bottom of the south island of new zealand. Most of the island is covered in native forest and virtually the. New zealands 9 great walks the most popular great walks great walks discovery hiking tour the great walks are generally regarded as new zealands premier multiday hikes. Stewart island hiking tours and walking tours are a great, active way to see new zealand s stunning scenery. Stewart island, officially stewart island rakiura the second of the names is the islands maori name, is the medium sized island of new zealand far smaller than the two main islands but far bigger than the other small islands. New zealands rakiura walk is a great walk located on stewart island. Stewart island walking tours new zealand, hiking tours nz. Stewart island walking tracks, hiking, tramping, new zealand. Rakiura national park covers much of stewart island, and is new zealand s 14th national park.
It is located 24 km to the south of the south island, separated by foveaux strait. In oban youll find accommodation, supplies, equipment hire and transport to. The third largest island of new zealand, stewart island is normally missed by most first time visitors to new zealand. The 5 best things to do in stewart island 2020 with. Stewart island hiking guide 2020 update ultimate gear. Stewart island backpackers, halfmoon bay, new zealand. Explore new zealand on a hiking or walking tour as an individual or with a group of friends. Things to do in stewart island ferry tours activities. The fiordland national park, home to the world renowned milford sound, and stewart island offer walkers the choice of an exceptional array of day hikes, which we. Hop on a paterson inlet cruise and learn about early maori history and european settlement in the area. The ultimate guide to hiking in new zealand 2020 update. New zealands hiking and outdoor adventure specialist with tours to suit all fitness levels on great walks and trails. Oban is located on halfmoon bay sometimes used as an alternative name for the town, on paterson inlet. Stewart island boasts one of new zealands most natural and unspoilt environments and a beautiful coastline.
May 06, 2019 if youre into hiking and want to see some of the more untouched areas of the country, you should definitely book a trip to stewart island. Stewart island backpackers, oban, can help to book local island activities such as fishing, scenic walks or ulva island visits. Accommodation on stewart island southland, new zealand. New zealand offers a range of hiking and walking to trails to suit all levels of fitness. Stewart island is the 3 rd and is just now starting to draw attention to avid adventurers with its 12day, isolated trek. Stewart island, officially named stewart islandrakiura, maori. The routeburn track is a 32km, 3day tramp between glenorchy and the divide, crossing through mt aspiring and fiordland national parks. The official entrance to rakiura national park at lee bay, 5 km from oban.
Stewart island track details hiking nz hiking new zealand. Our knowledgeable staff will be more than happy to advise you on the best places to visit and how to make the most of your time on the island. In oban youll find accommodation, supplies, equipment hire and transport to and from the start of the track. Stewart island tramping, hiking and guided walks directory, new zealand. The 5 best things to do in stewart island updated 2020. In the maori language, its known as rakiura which means the land of glowing skies. Then walk and water taxi your way across the island to halfmoon bay. Stewart island also known by its maori name, rakiura is a one hour ferry, or 20 minute flight, from the new zealand mainland. This 3day walk explores native bush, secluded coves, beaches, and provides the chance to see kiwi in the wild.
The fiordland national park, home to the world renowned milford sound, and stewart island offer walkers the choice of an exceptional array of day hikes, which we feature on this superb week of walking. There are also a few accommodation options outside of the township, in the scenic bays near the main hub. Invercargill to dunedin with stewart island option. During the day, your feet will find the rhythm of the trail. Fiordland, hollyford and stewart island trails nz walks. Our guides enjoy sharing their local knowledge of the history and environment of stewart island. They have been afforded special status in order to better regulate the numbers of hikers on the trails to enhance the experience for those people, and to eliminate or minimize. A range of visitor information and booking offices are available on stewart island and mainland new zealand. Stewart island is new zealand s third and southernmost island and a haven for native bird life. Hiking the rakiura track on stewart island travels of a. Check out lonely planets new zealand guide for a comprehensive look at what the country has to offer. As a result stewart island has managed to retain the essential charm and slower pace of life, away from the rush and development in the rest of the world.
Stewart island is one of the best places to see kiwi in new zealand. But at the southernmost tip of the south island lies a smaller island that is less well travelled. Ive been fortunate enough to experience many of new zealands great walks, including the. Discover new zealands third and southernmost island stewart island from aboard the purposebuilt milford wanderer. Discover peace, birdsong and stunning coastal scenery on the 36km, 3day circuit that is the rakiura track. While on the guided walk, your transport from the south island to stewart island will be by light plane. Please contact our reservations team to book your rental vehicle at. At latitude 47 degrees south the roaring forties our weather is often unpredictable but sunshine hours are equal to the national average and our annual rainfall is less than that of auckland. Admire the dramatic peaks and valleys of fiordland national park, stroll past bays and beaches of the abel tasman coast, or scale an active volcano on the. Its permanent population is 381 people as of the 20 census, most of whom live in the settlement of oban on the eastern side of the island. New zealand is truly a land of plenty above and below the water. The third largest and southernmost island in new zealand, stewart island is an adventurers paradise. Transport and advice for getting around stewart island nz.
The island s rich resources provided a bountiful harvest for maori, early 19th century explorers, sealers, missionaries, and settlers came from all corners of the world. Most of stewart island is part of the rakiura national park with settlement mainly confined to oban, the only township. Walking tracks may be short walks, or multiday walks. Explore oban and the surrounding bays in our modern minibuses. Stewart island is a stand alone land mass found right off the southernmost tip of the south island. If walking from the doc visitor centre in oban, turn right and walk down main road. The rakiura kiwi are known for being awake during the day, unlike other sub species of kiwi bird in new zealand. The south sea hotel is a stewart island icon, with a strong footing in island life, both past and present. Diving in new zealand quick facts from the subtropical reefs and beaches of the north island to the unique topography and temperate waters of the south island, it could take a lifetime to uncover all the scuba diving sites along new zealands coastline. It attracts people who enjoy the outdoors from trampers hikers, day walkers, birdwatchers, recreational fishers, sightseeing by boat or by road and of course hunting red deer and the illusive virginian whitetail deer.
Oban is the principal settlement on stewart island rakiura, the southernmost inhabited island of the new zealand archipelago. Feb, 2018 stewart island is one of the best places to see kiwi in new zealand. Starting in the southern town of invercargill you travel to mason bay on the west coast of stewart island. Guests enjoy 200 mbs of free wifi per person, per stay and free local phone calls. July, outdoors, historic sites, wildlife attraction. Stewart island track overview hiking nz hiking new zealand. Invercargill is 170km from queenstown, and 190km from te anau. Read on for everything you need to know about hiking the rakiura track on stewart island. This tiny island is the perfect destination to get away from the crowds and experience untouched natural surroundings. This isolated little paradise will keep you busy for days with its scenery, wildlife and friendly locals.
Stewart island kiwis and wildlife new zealand tourism nz. The rakiura track can be walked in either direction, starting from two locations. Theres more to new zealand than just the north and south islands. Stewart island is new zealands third and southernmost island and a haven for native bird life. The deep south of new zealand is home to some of the countrys most pristine and spectacular landscapes. Rakiura, is the thirdlargest island of new zealand. Written and researched by lonely planet, sarah bennett, lee slater and department of conservation experts. If you are planning to go hiking in new zealand or just want to get some authentic new zealand outdoor experiences we can help with your travel plans.
The milford track is the jewel in new zealand s hiking crown, an extremely popular 4day track through fiordland, from lake te anau to the stunning milford sound. You can choose to travel around the island by motor scooter or car. June, outdoors, beaches, wildlife attraction style. If you prefer getting off the beaten path, then this is the place for you to find some of the most unique multiday hiking in new zealand. Stewart island flights connects invercargill to oban and several charter destinations on stewart island and southland.
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