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Stewart Island - Culture

Stewart Island is separated from Mainland New Zealand by Foveaux Strait.

This was a formidable barrier for early Maori in their double canoes or sealers in whaleboats, Even now, many Southland residents, who see the Island from their windows every day, regard it as a foreign and exotic land. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Air Travel has made the world a smaller place. Southern Air flies 9-seat Britten Norman Islander aircraft with several twenty minute flights daily. You land at Ryan's Creek airfield on Stewart Island. A five minute mini-bus trip takes you to Oban Township, on the waterfront of Half-moon Bay.

In summer you can be on the Island as early as 8:30am, with no need to depart again until 6:00pm. A good, full day visit, and back for dinner in Invercargill if you so desire.

Sea Travel is also faster and less strenuous than in the days of paddle-power. The catamaran, Foveaux Express, makes the crossing from Bluff in an hour. There are two sailings, daily over summer and three days a week in winter. You can be ashore from 10:30am until 3:30pm in summer.

A day-trip to Stewart Island is something many folk remember all their lives.However, you should stay longer to savour the true Island flavour. There are no high-rise luxury hotels or casinos, but you'll find comfortable accommodation to suit most tastes and pockets

Come and experience Stewart Island and its warm, southern hospitality. Travellers will find a unique holiday destination. A mix of unspoilt coastal inlets, bush clad hills and white sandy beaches. Half-moon Bay, the Island's only permanent settlement, is a small fishing village and tourist centre. It is the starting point for many of the walking and tramping tracks. Boats can be chartered for access to more remote areas of the Island. The clear waters around the Island are ideal for diving and contain an amazing number of different fish and shellfish species. Short bush walks allow for the opportunity to view several different bird species in their natural habitat, and see native ferns and fauna. The 20 km of sealed road around the village, makes walking easy for those people not geared for bush walking. Stewart Island brown kiwi are common all around the island, particularly at Mason Bay, where densities can reach 30 birds per square kilometre. They are considered a different sub-species to mainland birds because of their unusual day-time activity and close family behaviour. For guided kiwi spotting tours, contact Bravo Adventure Cruises. Cost is $60.00 per person, and tours depart on alternate nights. Travel by boat to Little Glory Bay then a short walk to Ocean Beach where you see the Kiwi feeding in its natural environment. You need to be agile enough to walk unaided in the dark, and take warm clothing, sturdy footwear and a torch. A hot drink is provided by your guide.