Ulva Island

Hear the famed dawn chorus

Ulva Island, situated in Paterson Inlet just off the coast of Stewart Island, is a birdwatchers' paradise and one of the few open island sanctuaries in New Zealand.

An abundance of native birds and plants thrive in its primeval forests of rimu, miro and totara. Combine this with white sand coves and pristine aqua-green water, and you've got a setting you will never forget.

As soon as you step off the boat onto the island, the air is alive with the sound of tui and bellbirds. A symphony of song, the melodious tunes of the bellbird and tui are punctuated by the raucous call of the kaka and the chattering kakariki.

You can spot weka, kaka, saddleback, Stewart Island Robin, rifleman, yellowhead and New Zealand wood pigeon flourishing in their natural environment and, what's more, the birds come so close, you won't need binoculars!

There are three main walking tracks to explore on the island. They meander between Post Office Cove, Sydney Cove, Boulder Beach and West End Beach, providing the chance to see some of the rarest plants in the world.

Ulva Island is a conservation success story. Time your visit to coincide with dawn to appreciate its crescendo.