Stewart Island Nature Tours, Walks, Car & Scooter Hire
Explore Stewart Island
Remote, rugged and incredibly beautiful, Stewart Island showcases an almost untouched New Zealand. Offering a spectacular mix of breath-taking landscapes from golden sand beaches to forested hills and a coastline of rocky outcrops, Stewart Island is a natural haven for marine and bird life. Famous for colourful sunsets, its Maori name Rakiura translates to “land of the glowing skies”.
Stewart Island Experience operates daily ferry services between Bluff and Stewart Island. Once there, visit Ulva Island, a renowned wildlife sanctuary, explore the village and bays with a local, join a Wild Kiwi Encounter for the opportunity to see kiwi in the wild or immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of Stewart Island on a guided walk. Rental cars, motor scooters and mountain bikes are available for hire from the Oban Visitor Centre for those who wish to explore independently.
Stewart Island Village & Bays Tours
Duration: One hour 30 minutes
Season: All year
Gain an entertaining insight into New Zealand’s southernmost community, and learn about the history and environment of Stewart Island.
Unspoiled, incredibly beautiful, and steeped in stories, Stewart Island (known as Rakiura – glowing skies – by Maori) is well worth this informative introduction. Our local guides enjoy sharing their knowledge of the area on this mini-bus tour of the Island. You will have plenty of time to get off the bus for photo stops and short walks.
Highlights include a visit to the gateway to Rakiura National Park at Lee Bay, beautiful Horseshoe Bay and Observation Rock with its stunning views of Paterson Inlet.
Modern mini bus- Departs: Oban Visitor Centre
- Duration: 1hr 30mins
- Suitable all ages
Stewart Islands Ulva Island Explorer
Duration: Two hour 30 minutes
Season: Oct – Apr
Discover Stewart Island from the water on a leisurely cruise of beautiful Paterson Inlet and a guided walk in Ulva Island Wildlife Sanctuary
The cruise will showcase some of Paterson Inlet’s stunning scenery with its hidden coves and unspoilt beaches. You’ll hear fascinating stories of early Maori history and European settlement from your guide as we pass various landmarks. Your guide is passionate about this area, provides informative commentary and is more than happy to answer questions. While on board, keep a look out for fur seals and penguins – we see a lot of them around this area.
Paterson Inlet is home to renowned wildlife sanctuary Ulva Island and we’ll stop there for a 45 minute guided walk. The island is home to weka (native woodhen), bush robins, rare saddlebacks and yellowheads amongst other species. It is also a protected habitat for some of New Zealand’s rarest plant species. A regular highlight is to encounter an inquisitive weka on the beach.
For the remainder of the cruise around Paterson Inlet, relax on board our modern catamaran and enjoy the coastal scenery before heading back to base.
- Modern comfortable catamaran
- Duration 2 hours 30 minutes
- Delicious picnic lunch options available (need to pre-order)
- Suitable for all ages
- (Previously called Paterson Inlet Cruises)
Stewart Island’s Wild Kiwi Encounter
Duration: Four Hours
Season: Sept to May
At dusk depart Halfmoon Bay in our catamaran for a cruise across Paterson Inlet to Little Glory Cove. During the cruise pass Ulva Island (a predator-free sanctuary) and learn about Stewart Island’s rich history. Once at Little Glory Cove, disembark onto a wharf at the southern part of the peninsula known as The Neck.
The walk, led by your nature guide, is on a well-formed track across the peninsula, through spectacular coastal forest to a secluded sandy beach.
As dusk sets in and daylight diminishes, venture by torchlight through the native forest with the stars and forest night sounds around you. The walk will take about 45 minutes 
one-way and the track emerges on to Ocean Beach. This wide sandy beach is where kiwi are often found feeding among the grasses and seaweed.
Here in the darkness you will get to see the Southern brown kiwi (Rakiura Tokoeka) – often searching for food.
Afterwards retrace your steps through the forest to Little Glory Wharf for your catamaran ride back to Oban.
- Scenic evening cruise across Paterson Inlet
- Experienced nature guide
Guided walk (approx. 2 hours)- Complimentary tea & coffee on board
- Small group – 8 per guide, max 16 per night
- Departs: Stewart Island Experience, Main Wharf, Oban, Stewart Island.
- Departure times: These vary each month, according to dusk times
- Suitable for all ages 15 years and over
- Due to the late return time of this tour, please ensure that you have booked accommodation on Stewart Island
- “Kiwi Guarantee” – If you don’t see a kiwi we will refund you 50% of your ticket price or give you a ticket to come back another evening (subject to availability).
Stewart Island Car, Motor Scooter & Bike Hire
Stewart Island is a fantastic place to explore independently. Our excellent range of vehicles enables you to discover the stunning coastline and secluded communities at your own pace, in your own time and in your own way.
You can choose to travel around the island by mountain bikes, motor scooters or cars. 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.
Please contact our reservations team to book your rental vehicle
Phone: NZ 03 212 7660 Freephone: 0800 000 511 Email: info@sie.co.nz
