New Zealand Stewart Island Services - What to See & Do. If you are looking for comprehensive travel information for Stewart Island Services including Fire, Hospital, Police and Post Office, you will find it here on AA Travel.
Stewart Island is well equipped when it comes to visitor services. There are many services around the country available to travellers if they need them, such as health services (doctors, emergency rooms, chemists), roadside assistance for breakdowns and vehicle trouble, travel insurance and emergency services. You’ll find essential traveller services such as internet cafés, retail shops, banks, laundromats, postal services, payphones and gas stations in most towns. Information centres are also a valuable service to travellers. Visit these for a wide range of information about the town or city and surrounding region. The staff can also help you with bookings and advice.
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.
