stewart island tours from invercargill

• Stewart Island Ultimate Package Tour
• Tours & Services
• Multi Day Package Tours

NEXT TOUR DEPARTS January 2022 ex DUNEDIN (limited to 6 people, book now to avoid missing out)

*Tours available February, March and April 2022

Explore Stewart Island, Rakiura "the Land of Glowing Skies"

Experience what New Zealand was like before people arrived, a lush sub-tropical paradise full of unique birdlife & marine mammals. Stewart Island, known as Rakiura "the land of glowing skies"  offers us a glimpse of this prehistoric world. Join us for a fully guided 7 Day all inclusive tour with Kim Hayward - 10 years experience guiding small group tours to Stewart Island

Whats included?

6 nights accommodation luxury hotel/lodge (dunedin, catlins & stewart island), all transport on tour including stewart island return flights (or ferry if preferred), some meals; breakfast, lunch each day with exclusive dinner on last night included, at least one special activity/attraction each day included, fully escourted with kim, iconic tours owner for the duration of the tour, private airport transfers dunedin airport to dunedin city (return), attractions included in price..., ulva island bird sanctuary guided tour (with ulva's guided walks), pelagic bird watching cruise (with rakiura charters), kiwi spotting guided tour (with beaks & feathers), catlins forest walks, wildlife & bird watching with kim, freshwater river or wildlife cruise, dunedin citysights, royal albatross and larnach castle tour.

Meet at Dunedin Airport for your complimentary private transfer to the Distinction Hotel. Short city tour before check in. Refresh, then depart for the Otago Peninsula for some increadible landscapes and a visit to the Royal Albatross Colony.

After a buffet breakfast, depart for the Catlins Coast. Full day of exhilarating nature walks & wildlife, enjoy picnic lunch at a secluded spot, arrive at Curio Bay mid-afternoon and check into our beach-front accommodation. Dinner at Niagara Falls Restaurant.

Enjoy a full cooked breakfast with Kim, depart Curio Bay for Invercargill, couple of sighseeing stops along the way. Lunch at the Auction House Cafe. Fly Invercargill Airport to Oban Stewart Island mid-afternoon (15 minute scenic flight). Short tour of Oban and check in to the luxury lodge. Free time until dinner at South Sea Hotel Restaurant.

Full cooked breakfast, morning pelagic wildlife cruise, picnic lunch, afternoon guided walk on Ulva Island. Gormet dinner at the lodge. Evening Kiwi Spotting guided tour.

Gourmet breakfast, morning water taxi to Port William, walk the Rakiura Track to Lee Bay, taxi back to Oban. Or alternative (for non-walkers) private 2 hour sightseeing tour by Aurora Taxis. Or alternative e-bike half-day hire. Evening Freshwater River Cruise.

Full breakfast, morning free time in Stewart Island... visit the new Rakiura Museum, browse the shops and galleries, or enjoy some of the beautiful short walks in the area. Fly Oban to Invercargill mid-day. Lunch at Auction House Cafe before heading to Dunedin. Check-in Larnach Castle Lodge. Special heritage dinner in the Castle for our last night together.

Check out Larnach Castle Lodge, scenic drive to Dunedin City. Private transfer to Dunedin Airport when required.

" after 10 years of taking tours to Stewart Island, I have come to love and respect the place, its nature and its people. I've built strong relationships with the local operators and have a good idea of how things tick on Rakiura, what works and what doesn't. I've enjoyed the most amazing weather, specatular skies, jaw dropping wildlife, and yet I'm still blown away by the place everytime I visit " Kim Hayward, Iconic Tours Dunedin

Call us now to book: 03 472 7776, or email  [email protected].

• Dunedin Tours *non-cruise ship
• Otago Peninsula
• Cruise Ship Tours
• Airport Transfers
• Catlins Wilderness
• Mt Cook Line
• Iconic Farm Tour
• Oamaru Dunedin Airport Direct

Our Contacts

03 472 7776

027 278 5865

[email protected]

• Small Group Tours
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• Private Tours

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Central Otago in Autumn Tour

Stewart island and catlins tour.

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• Per person twin/share room
• Single room occupancy

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On this 9 day Stewart Island and Catlins Tour you will discover the great Southern region, from the Otago Peninsula’s Royal Albatross colony to the Catlins rugged coastline.

Highlights of the tour include a two night stay on Stewart Island, Kiwi spotting tour, a visit to Ulva Island, Catlins wildlife guided tour, a visit Transport World in Invercargill, experiencing an afternoon Te Anau Lake cruise and the following day a nature cruise in Milford Sound.

Departure & Return Location

Tour starts and finishes in Christchurch

Departure Time

9am-9:30pm pick up from your Christchurch accommodation

Price Includes

• 8 nights accommodation
• 8 breakfasts
• 2 morning tea
• 8 evening dining experiences
• Royal Albatross tour
• Catlins Guided Eco-Tour
• Return Stewart Island flights
• Ulva Island guided tour
• Stewart Island bus tour
• Milford Sound Nature Cruise
• Te Anau Lake Cruise
• Kiwi spotting tour on Stewart Island
• Ovelston Historic House and garden tour

Day 1 Dunedin

Departing from Christchurch to travel to travel south on our way to Dunedin. Stopping at Dunsandle, Temuka and Oamaru. Enjoy dinner together at our central Dunedin Hotel for a two night stay.

Day 2 Dunedin - Otago Peninsula - Larnach Castle-Dunedin

After breakfast we will drive to the end of the Otago Peninsula to Taiaroa Heads to see the world’s only mainland breeding colony of the Royal Albatross. Enjoy a guided tour and see the spectacular views on the Otago Peninsula. A wonderful opportunity for up close viewing interactions with all manner of seabirds and mammals. Arriving at Larnach Castle we have extended our time to enjoy lunch, an audio tour of the castle and plenty of time to explore the gardens, returning to our Dunedin hotel and diner.  B.L.D

Day 3 Dunedin - Catlins

Enjoy a guided tour of Dunedin’s Ovelston historic house built in the early 1900’s, which is a time capsule experience. Enjoy exploring the wonderful garden of national significance and have morning tea here. We start our journey towards the secluded Catlins region, with walks at the famous Nugget Point lighthouse and Pukaraunui Falls, before arriving at our overnight accommodation located in the heart of in the Catlins. BLD

Day 4 Catlins

After breakfast today we meet our local eco-tour guide for an in-depth look at the Catlins. See treasures of fossils, find out about the history, the middens left by Maori communities, the ancient podocarp forests full of rimu, totara, matai and rata, and the kingfishers, tuis, and bellbirds. We return to our Catlins accommodation for a second night. BLD

Day 5 Catlins-Invercargill-Stewart Island

Today we follow the southern coastal route to Invercargill stopping off at Slope Point, the southernmost point of NZ, and Waipapa Bay where the sea lions live. Arriving in Invercargill to visit the Bill Richardson Transport Museum and get a bite to eat. We later catch our flight to Stewart Island for a two night. In the evening, we will experience some southern hospitality with dinner at the South Seas Hotel. B D

Day 6 Stewart Island

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast with views of native bush and the friendly kaka who visit the Lodge veranda for treats before we visit Ulva Island, strolling around the excellent walking tracks amongst predator free podocarp forest, home to many endangered species.  Return to Oban township where you can get a bite to eat.  Depart for a minivan tour exploring landmarks and hear the history of Oban, then spend time exploring, or just absorb the tranquility of the island.  Dinner tonight is at the South Seas Hotel, the blue cod is highly recommended. Enjoy a guided Kiwi spotting adventure in the evening. B D

Day 7 Stewart Island-Invercargill-Te Anau

After breakfast we depart Stewart Island to fly back to Invercargill airport. We will drive to Te Anau in time for an relaxing afternoon Lake Cruise with afternoon tea served in style, after the cruise we will settle into our accommodation for the evening and have a meal out. B D

Day 8 Te Anau-Milford Sound-Queenstown

Depart Te Anau and drive to the uniquely beautiful and truly awe-inspiring Milford Sound.  Discover its beauty on a 2-hour nature cruise, spot wildlife such as Bottlenose Dolphin and Penguin while you cruise around the sound and see the fresh glacial water straight from waterfalls around you, lunch onboard is arranged for you today. After your cruise, we depart for Queenstown to our central hotel accommodation and have our last meal together. BLD

Day 9 Queenstown-Christchurch

After breakfast we will depart for Christchurch with stops at Cromwell, Tarras, Omarama, Lake Pukaki, Tekapo, and Geraldine. Approximate arrival time in Christchurch will be 5.30pm. B

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4WD D’Urville Island – Marlborough High Country Tour Lead Vehicle Seat

Brigitte and Marc

We enjoyed very much the Catlins and South tour. The small group was very friendly . Our driver Randall was perfect and joyful. I particularly enjoyed the visit of the old house in Dunedin, Curio bay, and of course the cruise on Milford Sound.

I had a good time, seeing all the places I had not seen before. The food was good, the accommodation was very comfortable. I am so glad that I did the tour and met some very nice individuals as well.

Thank you to you for a wonderful trip. My highlight was flying into Stewart Island and having a seat behind the pilot and wonderful views, and of course the wonderful tiny birds on Ulva Island that I would have missed if it hadn’t been for our wonderful listening guide.

Josephine P

It such a great trip with so many wonderful activities to do. The accommodation and meals were all very good and Geoff is such a knowledgeable driver/tour guide.

My favourite activity was the Te Anau boat trip. Not only was it a great trip with wonderful hosts and a lovely walk through the bush but who wouldn’t enjoy a trip with wine, tea, a lovely platter and the chance to pilot a boat across the lake? It was a great trip and a lot of fun!

Having said that was my favourite activity I enjoyed all of the others; informative guides, beautiful houses and gardens, and stunning, wind swept beaches. I couldn’t fault any of it.

Prudence B. Darwin. Australia

I did an 8 night 9 day return tour from Christchurch to Stewart Island with South Island Tours. I loved every minute of it, it’s a must do tour. It offers a well organised varied and interesting itinerary. The accommodation was excellent as were the restaurants and cafes we visited. There were highlights everyday, but the biggest for me was seeing 9 kiwis in a natural environment on Stewart Island.

• Destination
• New Zealand
• Stewart Island & Chatham Islands

Stewart Island Rakiura: The Land of Glowing Skies

• Stewart Island & Chatham Islands
• Wildlife and Nature

Tour Description

Experience Rakiura – Stewart Island, the largest island National Park in New Zealand, over 4 magical days, with local hosts!

Enjoy the views over Oreti Beach and Foveaux Strait during an exciting 20-minute flight, landing in Oban, Stewart Island. Here, your friendly hosts will be waiting to welcome you, introducing you to island life, with all its quirks and charms. Over the following days you will explore this amazing island, 85% of which is a National Park. Bird spotting (including the famous Kiwi), nature walks, fishing, greenstone carving, maybe a Paterson Inlet cruise or some kayaking all await you. Be prepared for the often-unpredictable weather of the ‘Roaring Forties’. But don’t worry, your wonderful hosts will help you plan your activities accordingly to make sure you have the best authentic local experience.

This is a truly special place, so take a glimpse into a simpler, slower lifestyle, experience the rhythm with the sea and tides.

Let us know your interests and we will tailor make a Stewart Island holiday for you.

Viva's Best Bits...

This is a bird lovers paradise! Catch a glimpse of the rare Stewart Island robin, saddleback, Stewart Island kiwi, seabirds like albatross, mollymawk and blue penguins Stewart Island has an estimated 20,000 kiwis which outnumber its human population

During your Ulva Island guided walk we hope to see many endangered birds. Your experienced ranger guide will provide you with excellent commentary and very importantly, a keen eye!

"Walking trails suitable for all fitness levels - enjoy the diverse bush, birds, scenery and landforms. A lovely shorter option is Bathing Beach, and one of our favourite day walks is Port William and Maori Bay." Pia, Team Viva

Tour Itinerary

Make your own way to Invercargill airport for your flight with Stewart Island Airlines to Oban. A spectacular 20 minute flight will see us flying low over Oreti Beach, the test track for world record holder Burt Munro, and Foveaux Strait, in a small wing aircraft, a 9 seater Britten Norman Islander. You will see the forested hills and bays of Rakiura as you come into land, certainly an exciting start to a Stewart Island adventure. (15kg luggage allowance) On arrival you will be met by your host and given a mini orientation tour of Oban before you arrive at your lodge. Enjoy the rest of the day at your own leisure. Dinner is on your own account, there are great options (restaurant, pub, food carts), but as this is a small island, there is a limited number, so we recommend booking restaurants in advance over the high season. Later in the evening (sometime after dark!), join a small group kiwi spotting tour. This tour offers you a special opportunity to experience kiwi in their natural environment. We have exclusive access to private land where New Zealand’s precious kiwi come out at night to feed.

Ulva Island Guided walking tour The Island is part of Rakiura National Park and now free of introduced animals and is fast becoming a glimpse into New Zealand’s ancient past. Several species of threatened birds have been reintroduced to this open sanctuary and are doing very well. In addition, the forest is flourishing without the influence of rats and deer. The orchids are particularly impressive during their flowering season. The tour is around 4 hours and includes all transfers and conservation fees. Tours can start early morning or late afternoon when the birds are at their best. Small group with a maximum size of 6 guests. If you’d like more time on the Island we can arrange for you to stay on and be picked up later, as the rest of the day is at leisure.

Day at leisure to enjoy Stewart Island Optional activities – e-bike hire, Greenstone carving, walking or hiking, Coast to Coast flight and hike, etc. Activities can be booked in advance please advise your destination specialist. Suggested add ons: Mason Bay “Coast to Coast” This is a full day walk and involves a plane flight, 4 hours walk from Mason Bay to Freshwater Landing, and then a water taxi ride down Paterson Inlet to Halfmoon Bay. As it requires a low tide to land on Mason Bay, and High tide to boat the Freshwater river the walk requires more or less a full day. Tides will sometimes dictate the journey to be done in reverse. It’s a great day walk and traverses quite a different landscape to the Port William Track. Scenic Flight: Enjoy a 90-minute scenic flight over more remote parts of the island

A fond farewell from Rakiura. Enjoy one final breakfast on the island before your transfer to the airport and flight back to Invercargill

What’s Included

Accommodation.

• Included Copy 20 3 nights lodge accommodation
• Included Copy 31 Alternative options available: from self catering to boutique lodge
• Included Copy 20 Daily breakfast

Fees & Services

• Included Copy 20 Ulva Island Guided Walk with entry fees
• Included Copy 20 Return flight from Invercargill to Oban, 15kg check in luggage allowance
• Included Copy 20 Bird watching (bellbird, kaka, tomtit, kiwis etc)
• Included Copy 20 Return transfers from Oban airport to accommodation
• Included Copy 20 Kiwi Spotting tour at night
• Included Copy 20 Local hosts that have lived on the island for many many years
• Included Copy 31 Pre book additional activities: e-bike hire, Greenstone carving, walking or hiking
• Included Copy 31 Add on a coast to coast flight

Transportation

Stewart Island flight

• Included Listen to the birdsong, birdwatching paradise
• Included Lots of walking trails to explore the beautiful forest and beaches
• Included Good chances to see the Stewart Island Kiwi - more kiwis than humans!
• Included Experience life in remote island New Zealand, where life is at a slower pace
• Included Optional activities to experience: greenstone carving, fishing, biking, and more
• Included Add on Mason Bay Coast to Coast walk & fly!
• Included Learn all about island life from your local hosts

$ 1,650 NZD

Per person, sharing

including G.S.T

Speak to your Stewart Island & Chatham Islands travel expert now

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Top Tours in Stewart Island, New Zealand

Stewart island tours.

• Nature & Wildlife Tours
• Fishing Charters & Tours
• Sightseeing Tours
• Walking Tours
• Kayaking & Canoeing
• Private Tours
• Scuba & Snorkeling
• Helicopter Tours
• Night Tours
• Photography Tours
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• Budget-friendly
• Good for Couples
• Good for Kids
• Adventurous
• Good for Big Groups
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Hidden Gems
• Honeymoon spot
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

2. Stewart Island Electric Bikes

3. Beaks and Feathers

4. Ulva's Guided Walks

5. Ruggedy Range Wilderness Experience

6. Phil's Sea Kayak

7. Rakiura Charters & Water Taxi

8. Twinkle Dark Sky Tours

9. Leask Bay Fishing Charters

10. Stewart Island Snorkeling Adventures

11. Aihe Wildlife Cruises & Water Taxi

12. Tequila Fishing & Bird Watching Charters

13. Aurora Charters

14. Stewart Island Experience

15. Loredo Charters

16. Rakiura Kayaks

17. Stewart Island Helicopters

18. Oban by Boat

What travellers are saying.

• Stewart Island: Village and Bays Tour
• Stewart Island Fly Explore Fly ex Queenstown by Glenorchy Air
• Stewart Island Big Day Out
• Beaks and Feathers
• Ruggedy Range Wilderness Experience
• Ulva's Guided Walks
• Stewart Island Snorkeling Adventures
• Rakiura Charters & Water Taxi
• Aihe Wildlife Cruises & Water Taxi
• Stewart Island Electric Bikes
• Leask Bay Fishing Charters

THE 10 BEST Stewart Island Tours & Excursions

Stewart island tours.

• Nature & Wildlife Tours
• Fishing Charters & Tours
• Sightseeing Tours
• Walking Tours
• Kayaking & Canoeing
• Private Tours
• Scuba & Snorkeling
• Helicopter Tours
• Night Tours
• Photography Tours
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• Budget-friendly
• Good for Couples
• Good for Kids
• Adventurous
• Good for Big Groups
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Hidden Gems
• Honeymoon spot
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

2. Stewart Island Electric Bikes

3. Beaks and Feathers

4. Ulva's Guided Walks

5. Ruggedy Range Wilderness Experience

6. Phil's Sea Kayak

7. Rakiura Charters & Water Taxi

8. Twinkle Dark Sky Tours

9. Leask Bay Fishing Charters

10. Stewart Island Snorkeling Adventures

11. Aihe Wildlife Cruises & Water Taxi

12. Tequila Fishing & Bird Watching Charters

13. Aurora Charters

14. Stewart Island Experience

15. Loredo Charters

16. Rakiura Kayaks

17. Stewart Island Helicopters

18. Oban by Boat

What travelers are saying.

• Stewart Island: Village and Bays Tour
• Stewart Island Fly Explore Fly ex Queenstown by Glenorchy Air
• Stewart Island Big Day Out
• Beaks and Feathers
• Ruggedy Range Wilderness Experience
• Ulva's Guided Walks
• Stewart Island Snorkeling Adventures
• Rakiura Charters & Water Taxi
• Aihe Wildlife Cruises & Water Taxi
• Stewart Island Electric Bikes
• Leask Bay Fishing Charters

Newzealandbyferry

• Interislander
• Milford Sound
• Explore Waiheke

Stewart Island

• Bus Services
• Train Services
• Accommodation

You’ll zip across Foveaux Strait between Bluff and Stewart Island in just one hour aboard comfortable catamarans.

Daily coach connections are available from Invercargill. It’s an interesting stretch of water, home to several islands including Dog Island (spot the lighthouse), Ruapuke Island and the Titi Islands, and a considerable fishing industry. During your trip, keep an eye out along the way for wildlife – particularly seabirds such as the Mollymawk and Titi. Friendly staff provide informative commentary and point out highlights.

An all-year daily scheduled ferry service is available with complimentary tea and coffee served aboard.  

• Check in 30 mins prior to ferry departure
• One hour journey
• Parking at Bluff Visitor Terminal is available (extra cost)
• On board café
• Luggage limit – two carry-on bags per person (extra goods by arrangement)
• Travel Details
• Select Sailings

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Stewart Island Tours

We offer Stewart Island tour packages at the most competitive rate you can imagine!

5 days/4 nights Discover Stewart Island

"Discover Stewart Island" - Full Rakiura Experience 

5 days / 4 nights Discover Stewart Island package from $1395.00* per person on a twin share basis,

Surcharge for Flights: $140.00 per person

Fully experience Rakiura Stewart Island over five action-filled days. This amazing all-inclusive tour includes, the ferry across Foveaux Strait (with the option to fly), convenient motel accommodation with breakfast, all the iconic attractions you've heard about & a day to do your own thing in this very special place... Find out more .

4 days/3 nights Explore Stewart Island

"Explore Stewart Island" - All-inclusive Rakiura Tour 

4 days / 3 nights Explore Stewart Island package from $1295.00* per person on a twin share basis, Surcharge for Flights: $140.00 per person

Experience Rakiura Stewart Island over four days of adventure. This unforgettable tour includes all the Island's must sees, the ferry from Bluff Strait (with the option to fly), motel accommodation with breakfast, Ulva Island, a kiwi encounter... Find out more .

4 days/3 nights Great Walk Rakiura Stewart Island

"Great Walk Rakiura Stewart Island" - The Tour for Trampers

4 days / 3 nights Great Walk Rakiura package from $1265.00* per person on a twin share basis,  

Rakiura Stewart Island for those of you who like to hike in NZ's wonderful wilderness. This tour combines the Island's must sees & a Great Walk experience, plus the ferry from Bluff Strait (with the option to fly), motel accommodation with breakfast...  Find out more .

3 days/2 nights Visit Stewart Island

"Visit Stewart Island" - Experience Rakiura 

3 days / 2 nights Visit Stewart Island package from $895.00* per person on a twin share basis,  

Upgrade to Wild Kiwi Encounter: $90.00 per person.

A short invigorating Rakiura Stewart Island break. This all-inclusive tour 3 day tour could be a long weekend experience. It includes iconic attractions, the ferry from Bluff (with flight option), an orientation tour, optional kiwi encounter & motel accommodation with breakfast...  Find out more .

What our other guests have said

Peter was a very safe and skilled driver. He remained calm at all times and had a great sense of humour.

Lesley, United Kingdom

It was a privalige to have Chris as our tour manager. His knowledge, sense of humour, and attention to detail, made our tour a wonderful experience. All our group gelled together from the start and he took our humour and antics very well.

David, Distant Journeys client, United Kingdom

Your driver Chris was extremely likeable and considerate, very well organised with facts at his fingertips. He cared about his passengers and how they were faring

Gill, Distant Journeys, United Kingdom

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The Best Day Trips from Invercargill 🚗 [2024]

Nz pocket guide is 10 years old. thank you for trusting us with your trip for over a decade, the top places to visit near invercargill.

You’ve made it all the way to the bottom of the South Island; now what? While Invercargill has some pretty cool attractions within the city , it’s well worth staying a while to make it your base for some epic day trips. Explore The Catlins Coast , fly to Stewart Island , go to the less-visited southern Fiordland National Park and much more. We cover the Southland highlights with this guide to the best day trips from Invercargill.

For more trip-planning wisdom, head over to The Complete Guide to Invercargill .

5 Best Day Tours from Invercargill

Before checking out the self-drive day trips from Invercargill, consider some of the alternative day tours that depart from Invercargill. They take out the hassle and self-driving that comes with organising your own day trip.

Guided Day Tours from Invercargill

• Stewart Island Big Day Tour with Stewart Island Helicopters (more info on Viator and Tripadvisor )
• Stewart Island Flight and Bus Tour with Stewart Island Flights
• Discover Catlins Coast Tour with Lynette Jack Scenic Sights
• Fly Fishing Tour with Southland Fly Fishing Guides
• Fly Fishing Tour with NZ Guided Fly Fishing .

The Catlins

The best day trip from invercargill for budget travellers.

Travel time by car : 50 minutes to 2 hours one-way

Leave the city behind and travel east to the rugged coast of The Catlins , which spans between Fortrose and Balclutha . The coast offers stunning waterfall walks, lake walks, cave walks, lighthouse walks, sea lion encounters, penguin encounters… In short, a whole lot of nature!

Start planning your day trip from Invercargill using the 10 Incredible Things to Do in The Catlins .

Stewart Island

The best day trip from invercargill for luxury travellers.

Travel time by car and ferry : 1h20mins one-way Travel time by flight : 20 minutes one-way

While we always recommend at least staying overnight on Stewart Island , a day trip is certainly doable. Take the ferry or a quick flight to the island, arriving in its only town, Oban . There are short walks to enjoy from the town, while a quick ferry trip to the wildlife sanctuary of Ulva Island is highly recommended.

Find out more about activities on this day trip with the 10 Incredible Things to Do on Stewart Island .

Riverton and Colac Bay

The best day trip from invercargill for foodies.

Travel time by car : 35 minutes one-way

Invercargill’s neighbouring coastal town has plenty to entice. Visit the revered Te Hikoi Culture Heritage Museum , venture through the forest and a historic goldfield on the Long Hilly Track , and do some of the most southern surfing you’re ever likely to do at Colac Bay . Riverton also has its fair share of quaint cafes.

Learn more about this day trip from Invercargill in the 5 Fun Things to Do in Riverton .

The Best Day Trip from Invercargill for Families

Travel time by car : 1h10mins one-way

Travel further from Riverton and you’ll come across the town of Tuatapere . This is the southern gateway to the Fiordland National Park and a popular base to sample the Hump Ridge Track – day walk options are available. Nearby is also the free glowworm caves of Clifden Caves , while driving further to Lake Hauroko for hikes and jet boat tours is worth the extra journey.

Check out the 7 Amazing Things to Do in Tuatapere for more information on these experiences.

The Best Day Trip from Invercargill for Couples

Travel time by car : 45 minutes one-way

This rural town has a quirky character that’s best expressed at the Hokonui Moonshine Museum . On the other hand, Gore also has some surprises between the astonishing African art in the Eastern Southland Gallery and the impressive array of aircraft at the Croydon Aviation Heritage Centre . Gore is also a go-to for brown trout fishing.

Find out more about Southland’s second-largest town in the 10 Things to Do In and Around Gore .

More About Invercargill Day Trips

That’s it for our guide to the best day trip from Invercargill. For more day trip inspiration, check out the following guides:

• 10 Amazing Things to Do in Invercargill
• 5 Fun Things to Do in Bluff
• 10 Incredible Things to Do in Fiordland National Park
• 5 Te Anau Must-Dos
• Public Transport in Invercargill

The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across New Zealand and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:

• Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (Road and transport tips - Updated [2024])
• DriveSafe (Road safety - Updated [2024])
• Tourism New Zealand (General travel advice - Updated [2024])
• Department of Conservation (Tracks, hikes, campsites and more - Updated [2024])
• AdventureSmart (Know before you go - Update [2024])
• Tiaki Promise (Care for people place and culture - Updated [2024])
• Council websites and freedom camping maps (Local travel advice region by region - Updated [2024])
• Tourism Export Council New Zealand (Tourism trade association - Updated [2024])
• TIA (Independent tourism association - Updated [2024])
• NZ Māori Tourism (Official Māori Tourism platform - Updated [2024])
• Immigration New Zealand (Visa and immigration advice - Updated [2024])

Our editorial standards : At NZ Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.

About The Author

This article has been reviewed and published by Laura, the editor-in-chief and co-founder of NZ Pocket Guide. Laura is a first-class honours journalism graduate and a travel journalist with expertise in New Zealand and South Pacific tourism for over 10 years. She also runs travel guides for five of the top destinations in the South Pacific and is the co-host of over 250 episodes of the NZ Travel Show on YouTube.

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2024/25 BROCHURE

Southern Odyssey: Stewart Island & the Catlins

• New Zealand Tours
• Southern Odyssey

Southern Odyssey: Stewart Island & The Catlins

7 day small group south island & stewart island tour.

Invercargill has fascinating transport museums and Stewart Island/Rakiura and Ulva Island bird sanctuary are a nature lover's playground. See the amazing natural wonders of the South and discover the Scottish heritage of Dunedin and its mainland albatross colony.

Kaka on your balcony, fresh seafood at the South Sea Hotel, golden sand beaches and friendly locals are just a few of many reasons to fly over to Stewart Island. The Catlins coast is similar  - untouched, raw beauty and a real sense of discovery.

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Add-On Activities

Plan your adventure.

Water Taxi to Ulva Island - $32 Per Adult, $15 Per Child

​15 minute walk to Golden Bay to catch your water taxi to Ulva Island open bird sanctuary.

Spend an hour or two on Ulva strolling the excellent walking tracks amongst predator free podocarp forest, home to many endangered species.

Return to Golden Bay, walk over to Oban township, where you may purchase lunch at one of the many and varied dining establishments.

Package includes self-guided Ulva Island Booklet.

$2 of the fare is directly donated to the Ulva Island Charitable Trust.

Stewart Island Bus Tour - $49 Per Adult, $28 Per Child

Depart for a 1½ hour bus tour on the Island Explorer exploring landmarks and the history behind them with your local guide.

Coast to Coast - Fly-Hike-Boat - $295pp

The Stewart Island Coast to Coast is one of Stewart Island Flights’ most popular and unique innovations. Appealing to any traveller up for a taste of New Zealand in its natural untouched state, the Coast to Coast is a gentle sa mple of the island’s more rigorous North-West Circuit. For more information 

Oban by Boat - $45pp

Tour the bay aboard the classic boat -Ranui - to get a unique perspective of our village.

An hour of exploring the little bays, chance upon the odd penguin, mollymawk, historic and scenic attractions... a must do for every visitor

Monday to Saturday 10am and 2pm $45.00 (Custom times available for large groups)

Travelling to Stewart Island

• Getting Here

Transport options to Stewart Island are either by ferry or flight. 

Ferries depart from bluff and fixed-wing aircraft depart from invercargill airport ., the ferry crossing takes approximately one hour; flights take approximately 15-20 minutes..

With daily direct flights into Invercargill from Wellington and Christchurch, connecting flights from Auckland, and scenic flights from Queenstown, getting to Stewart Island couldn’t be easier.  If you prefer road travel, why not sit back and let someone else drive.  There are daily coach connections to Invercargill from Dunedin, Te Anau, Queenstown and Christchurch and many more locations in-between!

Visit our maps page for downloadable street map, overview map, digital brochure and more.

Air Milford

Glenorchy Air

Stewart Island Experience Ferry

Stewart Island Flights

Stewart Island Helicopters

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Ulva Island Explorer

Discover Stewart Island from the water on a leisurely cruise of beautiful Paterson Inlet and a guided walk in Ulva Island Wildlife Sanctuary.

The cruise will showcase some of Paterson Inlet’s stunning scenery with its hidden coves and unspoilt beaches. You’ll hear fascinating stories of early Maori history and European settlement from your guide as we pass various landmarks. Your guide is passionate about this area, provides informative commentary and is more than happy to answer questions. While on board, keep a look out for fur seals and penguins – we see a lot of them around this area.

Paterson Inlet is home to renowned wildlife sanctuary Ulva Island and we’ll stop there for a 45 minute guided walk. The island is home to weka (native woodhen), bush robins, rare saddlebacks and yellowheads amongst other species. It is also a protected habitat for some of New Zealand’s rarest plant species. A regular highlight is to encounter an inquisitive weka on the beach.   For the remainder of the cruise around Paterson Inlet, relax on board and enjoy the coastal scenery before heading back to base.

• Duration 2 hours 15 minutes
• Suitable for most ages and fitness levels
• Small group size
• Picnic lunches available to pre-order (Cut off at 12pm the day before travel)
• From $119 per person

Guided walk of Ulva Island Birdlife Sanctuary.

Discover hidden coves, unspoilt beaches and beautiful scenery.

Home to some of New Zealand 's rarest plant species and wildlife.

Enjoy a personalised tour with a knowledgeable nature guide.

Get your photo featured: #RealNZ

More Information

Departure location.

Stewart Island Ferry Terminal, Stewart Island

What’s included

• Cruise of Paterson Inlet
• 45 minute guided walk on Ulva Island Wildlife Sanctuary
• On board nature guide 

What to bring

Non-slip shoes/boots, waterproof jacket, warm sweater/fleece jacket, sunscreen/ sunglasses, insect repellent, camera and personal medication (including for asthma and allergies).

Picnic Lunches

Price: $30pp- Must be pre-ordered prior to 12pm the day before travel.

Includes: Filled roll, fresh fruit, brownie/muffin, dried fruits (raisins, berries, etc.), complimentary tea and coffee.

Please note: If you require a vegetarian, diary free, gluten free or vegan lunch, please add this into the comments box during the booking process. Menus are indicative only.

Ulva Island/Te Wharawhara

The island sanctuary is located within Paterson Inlet (Whaka a Te Wera) and offers the opportunity to view rarer native species including weka, kākā, kākāriki, tūī, bellbirds (korimako), pigeons (kereru), fantails (piwakawaka), tomtit (miromiro) and brown creeper (pīpipi).

The saddleback (tieke), yellowhead (mohua), Stewart Island robin (toutouwai) and rifleman (titipounamu) have all been successfully reintroduced to Ulva Island. 

Some lucky visitors to the sanctuary have also seen the Stewart Island brown kiwi (tokoeka) during the day.

Ulva Island is part of the Rakiura National Park and covers an approximate 269 hectares which are mostly managed by the Department of Conservation. 

The island, which has no permanent human population, is supported by the Ulva Island Charitable Trust, a group of Stewart Islanders, who raise funds for research, maintain the tracks and infrastructure, and help with bird releases.

The rainforest on Ulva Island consists of rimu, southern rātā and kamahi, and also diverse varieties of broadleaf and ferns.

Ulva Island has easy walking tracks and is an aspiring place to visit for anyone interested in native birds or plants.

The best guided trip we have done so far and we have done a few. The enthusiasm of our guide Karen is infectious and we wouldn't have spotted half the interesting wildlife she knowingly pointed out. Thanks to the whole crew. You are wonderful. 😊❤️ Astrid, via Trip Advisor

Had a fantastic time. What a privilege to be seeing all these species of birds and even some marine animals along the way. Karen the guide was exceptional. This tour is a must-do when visiting Stewart Island. N Kuek, Via Trip Advisor

A big thanks to Britt for saving our holiday! We came down to Stewart Island for a week and unfortunately hit the worst weather possible. Britt went completely above and beyond to make sure we had the best experience possible and were able to make the most of our time on Ulva. It was the highlight of our trip and our bucket list moment!! Katie, via Trip Advisor

Great day for a boat trip and hike on Ulva Island. Our guide was very knowledgeable of all the tree plants and birds.  Edward F, Via Trip Advisor

This was a really good experience. We were fortunate that the weather was good for our visit, and that we saw quite a few birds, but above all we were lucky to have such a brilliant and engaging guide in Natasha. She really knows her flora and fauna and was able to point out and explain all kinds of things we would never have noticed by ourselves. Michael, UK via Trip Advisor

Karen was our guide and was extremely knowledgeable. We saw so many beautiful species of birds. Karen was quick to describe them by their singing before even spotting them. The trail is beautifully done and the whole tour was just magnificent. Danette31 Dallas, Texas, Via TripAdvisor

Absolutely wonderful experience. Guide Bevan was fantastic. Picnic lunch gluten free option was excellent. 10 out of 10. One of New Zealand's best experiences. Thankyou! AnnieHutchison Auckland, New Zealand, Via TripAdvisor

An awesome afternoon, the guides passion and knowledge was amazing and all the staff were brilliant. I would definitely recommend this trip. nigelmcarthur1, Via TripAdvisor

In case you haven't found the information you were looking for, we've put together some of the most common questions our customers ask about our trips. If you need more specific answers, please contact us directly.

For visitors travelling on the Stewart Island Ferry Service, you are required to check in 30 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time (to allow for luggage loading, etc). The check in and boarding gates are closed 10 minutes prior to scheduled ferry departure. For all our cruises and tours, check in is required 20 minutes prior to the schedule departure.

The bird life on Ulva Island and Stewart Island is of exceptional interest, not only because of the presence of high profile species such as weka, wood pigeon, Stewart Island Robin and kaka, but also because Stewart Island and its small outliers provide a refuge for a range of less well-known birds, among them the NZ dotterel, South Island saddleback, Rifleman, Oystercatcher and the red and yellow-crowned parakeet.

There are a huge range of activities available on Stewart Island, from kayaking, fishing trips, golf, walking tracks and more. To find out more information and to make bookings, we operate the Oban Visitor Centre. The Department of Conservation (DoC) also operates a Visitor Information Centre and can provide more information on walking tracks and activities.

Yes, there are many activities you can fit into one day on Stewart Island. Ask our reservations team for suggested itineraries.

Online transactions/prices are conducted in what currency?

All prices and transactions on the RealNZ website are in New Zealand dollars (NZD).  This is specified on the Terms & Conditions page.

What happens if there is an emergency?

Our staff are trained to deal with incidents and in case of an emergency you should listen to their instructions. We have a portable defibrillator on each of our overnight cruise vessels (Milford Mariner, Milford Wanderer and Fiordland Navigator). In addition to this we also have portable defibrillators at the following locations: •    Milford Sound Visitor Terminal •    RealNZ Visitor Centre, Manapouri •    Cavern House (Te Anau Glowworm Caves) •    Colonel’s Homestead Restaurant, Walter Peak •    TSS Earnslaw Vintage Steamship •    Stewart Island Ferry (Bluff - Oban - Bluff)

Ulva Island Explorer, Stewart Island, New Zealand

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