Stewart Island Activities/Adventure

New Zealand Stewart Island Activities/Adventure - What to See & Do. If you are looking for comprehensive travel information for Stewart Island Activities/Adventure including Activity with Accommodation, Adventure, Aquatic Centre, Cruises, Eco Tourism, Family Activity and Scenic Flights, you will find it here on AA Travel.

If you come to Stewart Island looking for fun, excitement or a dose of adrenalin, you certainly won’t leave disappointed. There’s bound to be aquatic, family or thrilling activities either here or not too far away, from marine mammal encounters and eco-tourism adventures to cruises and jet-boat rides. New Zealand is the ‘Adventure Capital of the World’, so adrenalin-pumping action is found all over the country. Jet boating and white-water rafting are exhilarating ways to check out the country’s crystal-clear rivers and magic scenery. If you would rather stay dry then there’s a myriad of land and air-based activities on offer too. The brave can try bungy jumping, the slightly less courageous can enjoy a tandem hang-glide or parapent, or for the ultimate thrill there is the free-fall skydive. Plus, abseiling or exploring the captivating cave systems that riddle both the North and South Islands should definitely be on your to-do list.

Stewart Island: New Zealand's third island, across Foveaux Strait from Bluff, Stewart Island is one of New Zealand's best-kept secrets and is easily accessible by either passenger ferry across the strait or 20 minutes from Invercargill Airport. The only township is Oban on the shores of Halfmoon Bay. The 28km of road can be explored by hired motor scooter, mountain bike, rental car or a bus tour. Bookings for transport and accommodation are recommended. The island has local tracks to explore independently or with a guide; the hiking tracks spread out from Halfmoon Bay, with huts strategically placed. Bushwalks lead to various points of historic and scenic interest around the township. Weather conditions are very changeable. Launch trips and water taxis (glass-bottom boat) are available for sightseers and divers and those wanting to catch their own fish. Visits can be arranged to Ulva Island independently, or to the salmon and mussel farms in Paterson Inlet. Nature trips are an opportunity to view yellow-eyed and little blue penguins, mollymawks, seals and dolphins, with naturalist guides available on some boat trips. Stewart Island has the highest number of bird species in New Zealand. Other water activities include exploring underwater by semi-submersible diving, snorkelling, rock fishing, and kayaking in Paterson Inlet. Hunt for whitetail deer, enjoy a game of bowls or golf (6-hole course) and meet the friendly locals. The island's interesting history, including whaling, sealing, tin mining, timber milling and fishing industries, can be revisited at the Rakiura Museum. Local stores are fully equipped including having paua pearls (abalone) that have been grown on the island. There are no banking facilities on the island although credit cards and EFTPOS are accepted.