New Zealand Stewart Island What to See & Do. If you are looking for comprehensive travel information for Stewart Island What to See & Do including Activities, Natural Attractions, Food and Wine, Entertainment, Shopping and Information & Services, you will find it here on AA Travel.
Stewart Island
is full of wonderful things to see and do, with something for everyone.
If it's not here, you won't have to travel far to find it. As this
country is known as the 'Adventure Capital of the World', you can
always find thrills of every kind nearby, from bungy jumping and
skydiving to jet boating and white-water rafting. Our 14 national parks
are perfect for tramping, where spectacular scenery abounds. Our
geothermal hotspots provide natural thermal pools, shooting geysers and
bubbling mud pools, while our incredible wildlife is a must-see for
animal lovers. There are plenty of picturesque beaches for swimming,
surfing or relaxing, mountain ranges for skiing and snowboarding, glassy
lakes for fishing and water sports, and native forests for exploring. Try
delicious gourmet delights, visit an art or craft studio, go shopping,
check out a Maori cultural performance or take advantage of our exciting
range of events. And that's just the beginning!
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.
