New Zealand Stewart Island Dining - What to See & Do. If you are looking for comprehensive travel information for Stewart Island Dining, you will find it here on AA Travel.
Eating out can be one of the highlights of a holiday in Stewart Island. You can expect to find wonderful examples of edible excellence throughout the country, and the high standard of food offered by cafés and restaurants can be attributed to an unlimited supply of fresh, quality ingredients.
The cuisine style known as Pacific Rim is New Zealand’s point of difference. Pacific Rim blends the flavours of South East Asia, the Pacific and Japan. Seafood, the traditional Maori hangi (an earth oven), fresh fruit and locally produced venison and beef are just a selection of the must-try cuisine on offer. Combine this with world-class locally made wines and you have a memorable dining experience.
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.
