Top Things to do in Stewart Island
Top Restaurants in Stewart Island
Countries
What to do and see in Stewart Island, South Island: The Best Budget-friendly Things to do
Discover the best top things to do in Stewart Island, New Zealand including Ruggedy Range Wilderness Experience, Beaks and Feathers, Rakiura Charters & Water Taxi, Ulva Island, Phil's Sea Kayak, Stewart Island Electric Bikes, Ulva Island Ferry & Water Taxi, Aurora Cab Company, Stewart Island Ferry - Stewart Island Experience, Village & Bays Tours - Stewart Island Experience.
Restaurants in Stewart Island
1. Ruggedy Range Wilderness Experience
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 306 reviews
Ruggedy Range™ Wilderness Experience operate exclusively in Stewart Island and Ulva Island. We are an independent, small, locally owned and operated business, specialising in guided nature walks, overnight treks, bird watching (including pelagic birding) and kiwi spotting tours, wildlife and scenic cruises, sea kayaking and scenic road tours. Our tours are designed to capture the best the island has to offer and carefully matching this to the interests and abilities of the most discerning traveller. Whether you are a gentle explorer or adventurous and active, whether your interests are general or you are an avid birdwatcher, botanist, naturalist or photographer, we certainly have something to offer. Guides bring their in-depth knowledge, a sense of fun with a few local tales, to create a truly memorable experience. We care about the environment and strive to adopt and maintain sustainable practises. Visit our Ruggedy Range™ Booking Office at 14 Main Road, Stewart Island.
2. Beaks and Feathers
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 103 reviews
Experience the unique beauty of Ulva Island and Stewart Island while going for a guided walk with Beaks and Feathers. Be entranced by abundant and colourful birdlife and the impressive forest of Ulva Island. Be taken in with the old charm of Stewart Island, and experience local walks or parts of the Rakiura Track. Beaks and Feathers specialise in small groups for a better experience
3. Rakiura Charters & Water Taxi
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 116 reviews
Cruise Stewart Island in affordable comfort & style! Offering tours and water taxi services to the Ulva Island bird sanctuary, Freshwater River, meet our stunning ocean birds such as Albatross and Yellow-Eyed Penguins up close and personal on a Pelagic Birding Tour, come dolphin and seal spotting, or explore the historic Norwegian Whaler's Base. Our tour vessel is equipped with bathroom, kitchenette, lounge-style seating and a heated cabin, this is cruising in style! Our brand new water taxi seats up to 19 passengers and also features a heated cabin, toilet and excellent viewing, designed especially to maximise your Stewart Island experience!
4. Ulva Island
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 682 reviews
Reviewed By Kiwifreespirits - Auckland, New Zealand
We did a self guided walk using the guide book ( $2) we bought in Oban before going We used the excellent Rakiura Charters Water Taxi to get to Ulva having spent a wonderful few hours with them before hand around Patterson Inlet and the Mussel and Salmon Farm area in Big Glory Bay . Great people !!. We allowed ourselves 3 hours on Ulva . Way too short !!! . Should have made it 4 ( it was a fine day which helped ) to give sufficient time to just stop listen and watch frequently eg . Late in the walk we saw a Kiwi very close to us . But we were tight for time and could only spend 2 or 3 minutes looking which was frustrating. Many of the birds are very friendly eg Stewart Island robins that hop on your shoes and check out the laces , Wekas who hang out at the two beaches etc .
5. Phil's Sea Kayak
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 131 reviews
Stewart Island - amazing sea kayak destination. Explore the pristine clear waters with amazing marine life, bays and sandy beaches. We often see penguins, marine mammals and mollymawk/albatross. 2½ hour, half day or full day tours, twilight paddles (sunset!), sea kayak hire/expeditions. Personal guiding - tours tailored for all levels of experience. Your safety and enjoyment is my priority.
6. Stewart Island Electric Bikes
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 197 reviews
Explore picturesque Stewart Island in style on our Eco-friendly electric bikes. You can travel at your own pace around our 30 km of roads, stop and see the amazing scenery and wildlife, and go to places you never would have explored before. The terrain of the island is made easy by the assistance of an electric motor helping you bike around with ease and speed.
7. Ulva Island Ferry & Water Taxi
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 60 reviews
Adventure is allowing the unexpected happen to you! Experience Ulva Island - the pristine forested island and one of few predator-free sanctuaries in New Zealand- and the unique beauty of Paterson Inlet. Freedom Tours, guided walks and sight seeing with the Ulva Island Ferry for those who prefer the charm of a vintage wooden ferry or with a fast pace custom built vessel.
Reviewed By marionq470
Rakiura, the skipper, did a number of drop offs and pick ups for us while we were on the island including our freshwater landing pick up and my snorkeling trip. He’s obviously experienced, safety conscious and caring. Between them the different companies work together and it feels like they know the whereabouts of every visitor to the island and are looking out for them (which apparently is true - it’s like hanging out with unobtrusive extended family). I’d recommend ulva Island ferries for your trip to the island but also for all your other water taxi needs. Flexible, accommodating and friendly.
8. Aurora Cab Company
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 22 reviews
Customised Stewart Island Tours and pick-up/drop-off from any and all locations. Operating 7am - 11pm or by arrangement.
Reviewed By BobtheDuck
Super friendly owner/driver, very prompt service - and a mine of information about the island. And at the end of the Rakiura Track - boy, were we pleased to see him and spare ourselves a long walk back to town!
9. Stewart Island Ferry - Stewart Island Experience
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 497 reviews
Stewart Island Experience operates daily ferry service between Bluff and Stewart Island all year around. Stewart Island is New Zealand's ultimate eco-tourism destination and the location of Rakiura National Park. During the one hour ferry crossing, keep a look out for the Mollymawks (Albatross) that often follow the vessel. Daily coach connections operate between Bluff and Invercargill, and in summer also to Te Anau and Queenstown (summer only).
Reviewed By FreddieB_12 - Bristol, United Kingdom
Lucky enough to travel in rough seas (up to 6m swells apparently). Incredible experience, forget the jet boat in Queenstown, this was the real deal. Captain was excellent and the crew did a great job to try and help out those with sea sickness. First 15 minutes are the worst, once you get through that it's (relatively) plain sailing. Gives you a great insight into how insane those early explorers were and even folks who sail the Southern Ocean to this day.
10. Village & Bays Tours - Stewart Island Experience
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 74 reviews
Explore Oban village and its surrounding bays on a minibus tour with a local guide. This tour provides an intriguing insight into how Stewart Island’s tiny community survives – and thrives – while living in the heart of the ‘Roaring Forties.” From the entrance of the Rakiura National Park at beautiful Lee Bay, up to Observation Rock for panoramic views of Paterson Inlet and off-shore islands. Ideal for first time visitors to the island.
