Rakiura/Stewart Island – the land of the glowing skies - offers you a relaxing island escape. Forget the city hustle and bustle and attune yourself to nature’s gentle rhythms in a place that is as remote as it is beautiful.

Covered in native forest with 750 kilometres of gorgeous coastline, Stewart Island is a place where you’ll find peace - and plenty of time to enjoy your favourite outdoor pastime. 

Almost all (85%) of Stewart Island is part of Rakiura National Park. Lush rainforest, sandy beaches, sweeping sand dunes and wetlands make the Park a special place to walk and tramp.
 

There are many well-formed tracks that fan out from Halfmoon Bay where you can walk through ancient forest and bush. You will encounter beautiful native birds including kaka, parakeets, wood pigeons, fantails, tomtits and weka. In the north and western parts of the island, there are plenty of huts to stay in overnight when traversing the longer tracks.
 

If you like fishing, diving or hunting, then Stewart Island is where you want to be.  There are many opportunities with boat operators offering fishing trips. All will supply fishing gear. Most skippers have been commercial fishermen and know where to find fish on any given day. Generally, blue cod is the target species, usually caught in numbers that amaze people.

Charter a boat or take a water taxi to your destination – a quiet inlet or Ulva Island, the home of many threatened and endangered birds. Seabird and marine life in the area includes yellow-eyed and little blue penguins, mollymawks, seals and dolphins. 

Step back in time with a visit to the Rakiura Museum and immerse yourself in the bygone stories of whaling, sealing, tin mining, timber milling and fishing.

Stewart Island is easily accessible from Invercargill by ferry or plane – so climb aboard to spend a bit of time with nature.

For the History of Greenvale please click here

Stewart Island Activities

•Kiwi Spotting
•Bush Walking
•Museums/Historic Sites
•Arts/Crafts
•Aquarium/Paua Pearls
•Fishing
•Diving
•Kayaking
•Sightseeing
•Bird Watching
•Ulva Island Bird Sanctuary
•Guided Tours