Stewart Island (Maori name: Rakiura - "glowing sky") is the third largest island New Zealand and belongs to the region Southland. It has an area of approx. 1,700 km² and a coastline of 1,600 km.
background
history
landscape
Flora and fauna
climate
possibly regions
getting there
Stewart Island can be reached either by boat (from bluff) or by plane (from Invercargill). The ferry crossing over the Foveaux Strait takes about an hour and can be quite stormy at times.
mobility
Dynamic cardsThere's a road network of just over 20 kilometers (in and around Oban), but you can still rent a car on Stewart Island.
Places and Beaches
West Coast
South coast
East coast
Oban, the only place on Stewart Island, has a population of just over 400 and is the starting point for most activities.
North coast
More destinations and sights
The one opened in 2002 Rakiura National Park (157,000 ha) includes 85% of Stewart Island. It is the southernmost and newest (14th) national park in New Zealand.
activities
Most of the visitors come to Stewart Island for tramping. The most famous hike is the Rakiura Track, which is usually completed in 3 days (2 nights). The Rakiura Track is one of the Great walks. Other well-known tracks are the North West Circuit and the Southern Circuit, which can also be combined, but this is only recommended for experienced hikers, as you have to reckon with 12-16 days. Of course, there are also good day hikes from Oban. There are a total of 245 km of hiking trails on Stewart Island.
Other activities on Stewart Island include kiwi spotting (watching kiwis at night), kayaking or other boat tours, diving or hunting (especially popular with the locals). A popular excursion is the short boat trip from Oban to Ulva Island, a bird sanctuary.
There's even a golf course on Stewart Island and clubs are available for hire.
