Stewart Island Regional Information

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Stewart Island is the southernmost of New Zealand's three main islands and covers an area of 165,000 hectares. Whether you have come to enjoy the land and seascapes, view Kiwi wildlife, walk, boat, fish, dive, kayak, hunt or just relax, a Stewart Island holiday will provide you with experiences which will make you want to return again and again. Take a 40 minute ferry ride from Bluff to Stewart Island and for those who crave to escape from the world, you have found your haven. With a population of around 350 residents, it is like stepping back in time to how New Zealand looked 100 years ago. The Flora and Fauna and especially the bird life are amazing. Fishing is the mainstay of the Island and all around you, there is crystal clear water, fish, seals and other seafaring mammals. For those who want to explore the Island there are tours on land and sea, good accommodation and fine food at the restaurants. Commercial fishing provides most of the employment, although in the past tin mining and timber milling were important industries on the island.

With only 12 miles (20 kilometres) of road on the island, walking is the best way to explore. The island is covered in native vegetation and fringed with bays and sandy beaches. With so much forest, Stewart Island is a haven for native bird life: Kiwis, Sooty Shearwaters, Wekas and the rare Kaka, a native parrot. There are plenty of well maintained tracks which lead through beautiful bush to places of scenic or historic interest, and to lookouts with spectacular views. Launch cruises to some of the nearby islands offer a fascinating insight into the area's marine wealth.