Ulva Island/Te Wharawhara walking tracks
Located in Rakiura National Park and Stewart Island/Rakiura and Ulva Island/Te Wharawhara in the Southland region
Introduction
Visit iconic Ulva Island/Te Wharawhara, the jewel of Rakiura National Park. Sample the delights of this open sanctuary via a series of well-formed tracks catering for all ages and levels of fitness.Walking and tramping
Easiest: Easy access short walkEasy: Walking track
Dog access
Image gallery
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Enjoy the native forest Image: Martin Sharman | Creative Commons
![Native forest on Ulva Island.]( "Native forest on Ulva Island.")
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Weka, Ulva Island Image: Sabine Bernert ©
![Weka, Ulva Island.]( "Weka, Ulva Island.")
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View from Flagstaff Point, back towards the main island Image: David Pannett | Creative Commons
![View from Flagstaff Point, back towards the main island.]( "View from Flagstaff Point, back towards the main island.")
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Water level, about to dock at Ulva Island Image: David Pannett | Creative Commons
![Water level, about to dock at Ulva Island.]( "Water level, about to dock at Ulva Island.")
Explore this open sanctuary on well-formed tracks, catering for all ages and levels of fitness. Track times given below are return times from Post Office Bay but connected paths will allow you to return by a different route. Times are generous allowing for stops to listen to the birds.
Flagstaff Point Lookout
Time: 20 min return to Post Office Bay
A short walk takes you up steps to the lookout with panoramic views back to Stewart Island/Rakiura. A flagstaff was erected here by Postmaster Charles Traill so he could signal to residents of Paterson Inlet/Whaka a Te Wera when the mail boat arrived from Bluff. You can choose to descend and return via Sydney Cove.
Sydney Cove Picnic Area
Time: 20 min return to Post Office Bay
An easy walk brings you to this beautiful, golden sand beach where you'll definitely want to linger. Picnic tables, a picnic shelter, toilet facility and fresh water are available here. From the beach you'll look out onto part of the Ulva Island/Te Wharawhara Marine Reserve. Walking south along the beach, you'll find another track leading to the four-way junction that links this track with tracks to Boulder Beach, West End Beach and back to Post Office Bay.
Boulder Beach
Time: 1 hr 30 min return to Post Office Bay
Boulder Beach takes its name from two massive boulders now hidden in the forest covering the southern ridge above. This sheltered beach also gives views west across the marine reserve to the tiny islands and distant shores of Paterson Inlet. A track leads from the north end of Boulder Beach to West End Beach.
West End Beach
Time: 2 hr return to Post Office Bay
As you approach this most westerly of the island's beaches, the heavier forest of the island merges into coastal plant communities. The loop with the Boulder Beach track gives an easy round trip of about three hours.
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 |
| Full office details | |