Evening light on Stewart Island

Image: Vincent Zintzen | ©

Stewart Island/Rakiura

Located in the Southland region

Introduction

To the south of New Zealand's South Island, Stewart Island/Rakiura is a one-hour ferry ride from Bluff or 20 minutes by plane from Invercargill.

Highlights

Stewart Island is New Zealand’s third largest island and home to Rakiura National Park.

The island’s only settlement, in Halfmoon Bay, has a general store, postal agency, DOC Visitor Centre and a range of accommodation options. There one ATM on the island, which is only accessible during shop hours and does not accept foreign credit cards. Most operators accept Eftpos, Visa and Mastercard.

Place overview

Activities

  • Camping
  • Hunting
  • Kayaking and canoeing
  • Walking and tramping

In this section

Find things to do and places to stay Stewart Island/Rakiura

About this place

Know before you go

Drinking water

While there have been no reports of giardia on Stewart Island, we recommend treating all water collected from streams, or filling your water containers before leaving huts.

Help keep our water free from diseases and our land unspoilt by always using toilets where provided. If there is no toilet, find a secluded place well away from water and walking tracks, dig a hole and bury all human waste.

Fish and shellfish

Read Te Whaka a Te Wera Mātaitai Reserve bylaws and fisheries regulations (collect from the DOC Stewart Island Visitor Centre), and the Ulva Island – Te Wharawhara Marine Reserve brochure (PDF, 2,004K). Ensure you fish in areas permitted. Take only the amount of seafood you need for the day.

Weather

Be prepared for everything – wind, rain, sun and sleet.

Stewart Island weather is unpredictable and strong winds can develop at short notice. Be prepared to change your plans and seek shelter. Average temperatures are 15˚C in summer and 9˚C in winter. Average annual rainfall is 1,600 mm.

Seek up to date weather advice from DOC or see the Foveaux coastal forecast or Southland rural forecast on the Metservice website.

Deer hunters

Be aware of deer hunters, who are active all year-round on Stewart Island.

A permit is needed to hunt on Stewart Island – you can obtain one from the Rakiura National Park Visitor Centre or online. See Stewart Island hunting

Contacts

Rakiura National Park Visitor Centre
Phone:   +64 3 219 0009
Fax:   +64 4 471 1117
Email:   stewartisland@doc.govt.nz
Address:   15 Main Road
Oban
Postal Address:   PO Box 3
Rakiura/Stewart Island 9846
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