Once I first stepped foot on Rakiura/Stewart Island years in the past, I knew I’d adore it there. I didn’t understand how a lot of a mark it could have on me.
New Zealand’s third island is called a haven for wildlife lovers. Not like the remainder of New Zealand, stoats, goats, mice, or pigs have been by no means launched to Stewart Island, which allowed the uncommon hen life to hold on whereas it was decimated elsewhere. That being mentioned, it’s nonetheless declining, due to issues like feral cats (the worst).
Nonetheless, Rakiura/Stewart Island nonetheless ranks excessive as among the best locations in New Zealand to rise up shut and private with the wildlife. It’s additionally among the best locations to have the prospect to see kiwi within the wild. House to solely a pair hundred individuals, Rakiura very a lot seems like a distinct period, even perhaps a glimpse of what New Zealand used to appear like or might even appear like once more.
As somebody who feels inherently linked to the land, Rakiura spoke to my soul the primary time I used to be right here.
After which it left an indelible mark on me after I stumbled throughout lots of of stranded pilot whales on a distant seashore tramping. Days from assist and completely off the grid, this traumatic expertise modified my life. On the time, I assumed I’d by no means return to Stewart Island. However in the long run, I made peace with it.
A part of Southland, Stewart Island is completely magical no two methods about it. It’s far too particular to disregard.
I spend at the least per week right here annually, and final summer time was no exception. I flew over and again from Invercargill for the primary time as a substitute of sailing throughout, which supplied a distinct expertise. Listed here are a few of my favourite snaps from my Stewart Island journey – take pleasure in!
Go to Ulva Island and get your hen nerd on
One of many highlights of any go to to Rakiura/Stewart Island is embracing the entire birdlife. And among the best locations on Stewart Island is slightly island a brief boat journey away from the principle city, Oban, within the Paterson Inlet. Most of our predator-free offshore islands which might be hen sanctuaries are closed to the general public and require a allow to entry. Ulva Island is among the few exceptions.
There are numerous methods to expertise Ulva Island/Te Wharawhara, however I all the time discover plenty of worth in guided wildlife journeys – and Ulva’s Guided Walks is not any exception. Began by native Ulva in 2000, it’s an unbelievable expertise. Following alongside behind Ulva like her shadow, her vitality and keenness have been infectious; I realized rather a lot from the expertise (and I already know rather a lot about birds).
Pest-free since 1997, Ulva Island gives a glimpse of what New Zealand’s unbelievable nature and birdlife might appear like with out predators. Amongst pristine rainforests and gorgeous seashores, you’ll discover lots of our rarest birds, comparable to kiwi, tīeke/saddleback, and mohua/yellowhead.
Fly out to Mason Bay and go tramping
Up to now, with Stewart Island journey, I’ve all the time taken the ferry or a ship throughout the well-known Foveaux Strait from Bluff (and one time a helicopter, however that’s a narrative for one more time). Solely an hour, it’s a straightforward solution to entry the island.
Stewart Island Flights operates small locations from Invercargill to Stewart Island just a few instances per day, and it’s an epic solution to hop throughout rapidly with some nice views. However a little-known secret is that they’ll additionally land their small planes on the lengthy sandy seashores round Stewart Island. Distant and wild, these seashores usually sit on the well-known North West Circuit Monitor. By flying in, you may get provides dropped off. You can begin and end tramping wherever you need, shortening a protracted monitor.
Should you’re eager to see a distant a part of Stewart Island, right here’s my greatest tip. Catch a flight to Mason Bay and keep on the Mason Bay backcountry DOC hut for an evening or two. Drop your pack and discover throughout the realm – it’s epic! I all the time see kiwi right here too. Then stroll out to Freshwater Touchdown and catch the water taxi again to city with Rakiura Charters. You’ll get the very best of all the pieces in a brief time period.
Get out on the water and search for seabirds
Whereas staying on Stewart Island, it’s an absolute should to get out on the water and discover the island. You probably have a ship, your greatest guess is hopping on one of many many guided boat excursions. Stewart Island is among the few locations on the earth the place you possibly can simply see a few of the most luxurious seabirds, like albatross.
Ulva’s Guided Walks and Rakiura Charters run a land and sea hen full-day tour. It will get you out onto the water and in addition a guided journey round Ulva Island for the day. Each are must-dos!
Eat at Fin and Feather
Stewart Island journey requires some planning upfront. It’s small, and also you’re restricted when it comes to lodging and eateries. I used to be so stoked to see a brand new place pop up in time for my go to final summer time – Fin and Feather Eatery – a connoisseur meals truck proper in the midst of city. Their menu adjustments on a regular basis, and their hours differ rather a lot, however no matter they’ve is incredible.
I ate there three totally different instances. And would have gone again for extra.
Search for kiwi after darkish
If you end up on Stewart Island after darkish, it’s an absolute should to search for kiwi. There’s all the time an opportunity you possibly can stumble throughout kiwi anyplace on the island. However when you aren’t a large hen nerd and are unfamiliar with their calls and on the lookout for them, then your greatest guess is to hop on a kiwi recognizing tour.
I spent a night with locals Beaks and Feathers as we wandered round personal land on the lookout for kiwi. We noticed 10, together with infants. If you’re hen looking at evening, you want to use a purple gentle so that you just don’t hassle or shock the kiwi, and it permits you to see higher in low gentle, which is why I don’t have pictures. It’s an effective way simply to sit down again and luxuriate in a incredible expertise.
The Rakiura tokoeka/Stweart Island kiwi is a subspecies of the southern brown kiwi, and they’re uncommon in a number of methods. Slightly extra frequent than the remainder of our kiwi, it’s estimated that round 20,000 of them are nonetheless on Rakiura. They’re additionally well-known for being lively throughout the daytime, and they’re large. The most important of the kiwi, with large women nearly reaching to your knees. Additionally they aren’t solitary, and so they stay in household teams.
Keep at Argyle Residences
Discovering a spot to remain on Stewart Island has lengthy been difficult – you want to e book locations effectively upfront as a result of there’s restricted lodging. This time round, I received to remain in a model new construct – the Argyle Residences, proper on the town. Flash, cozy, and shut by, the views out over Half Moon Bay and the encircling bush have been simply magical. And so they had houseplants. 10/10.
Take a look at the Rakiura Museum/Te Puka o Te Waka
I like small-town museums, and the Rakiura Museum doesn’t disappoint. Housing an intensive assortment showcasing the early historical past right here, from muttonbirding to Māori and whaling settlements, Rakiura was very a lot an enchanting wild west. The tales are wild, and I usually think about what life would have been like again then.
An avid reader and author, I all the time choose up just a few books from museum reward outlets that share extra in-depth tales concerning the place. Usually the books there are onerous to search out, small print run or self-published, making them much more distinctive.
Have you ever been to Rakiura/Stewart Island earlier than? Have any Stewart Island journey ideas? Share!
Many due to Nice South for internet hosting me on Stewart Island; like all the time, I’m conserving it actual – like you possibly can count on much less from me!