Stewart Island Tours

New Zealand Stewart Island Tours - What to See & Do. If you are looking for comprehensive travel information for Stewart Island Tours including Air Tour, Boat Tour, Bus Tour, Eco-Tours, Other Tour, Walking Tour and Wildlife Tours, you will find it here on AA Travel.

A great way to see Stewart Island and the surrounding region is to take a tour. The range of tours available around the country is as varied as the country itself, and you’re bound to be led by a friendly and knowledgeable guide and learn things that you wouldn’t normally find out. Around the country, wildlife enthusiasts can take tours to see our array of accessible wildlife, from marine life to birds and even glowworms. There are historical tours to explore this country’s fascinating history, cultural tours to get up close to the Maori culture, art and craft tours for the creative, and food and wine tours to sample the country’s gourmet delights. Cycling, kayaking and walking tours show off the country’s amazing scenery while providing a bit of exercise, whereas boat cruises show off our coastlines and lakes, and there are plenty of sightseeing tours that take in a bit of everything!

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.