Explore the Wonders of Stewart Island New Zealand

Although it’s just a small dot on the world map, Stewart Island New Zealand is in fact the third largest island in NZ. This island is 40 kilometers (25 miles) wide and 64 kilometers (40 miles) long. Tramping for ten days would only get you through the northern third of Stewart Island; that’s how much there is to observe, experience, and enjoy when you take your New Zealand vacation to these parts.

Stewart Island is just south of NZ’s South Island and is remarkable for its rugged terrain, as the entire island is made of granite. But above the granite there is a lot of geological variety, and the colors of the island’s various beaches alone will astound tourists. Some beaches are golden; others are red; still others are white. There are even black beaches, made possible by black iron sand!

The mysterious and magnificent Stewart Island New Zealand was first seen by Europeans in 1809, when William Stewart arrived there aboard the ship “Pegasus” and landed in what is now the Pegasus Harbour in the island’s southeast.

The Maori knew of Stewart Island long before and called it Te Punga o Te Waka a Maui, or “The Anchor Stone of Maui’s Canoe.” According to an ancient Maori legend, the fisherman Maui used the South Island as his canoe from which he caught North Island, New Zealand, and raised it to the surface. In the meantime, Stewart Island served as an anchor stone for the gigantic Maui.

In the north of Stewart Island New Zealand is the Raikura National Park, so called after the Maori name for the aurora australis, or Southern Lights, which are often visible from Stewart Island in the evenings. As NZ’s southernmost location, Stewart Island is close enough to the South Pole to enable its visitors and inhabitants to glimpse at the stunning Southern Lights!

Bird watchers from around the world come to Stewart Island, one New Zealand’s top bird sanctuaries. Whole tours devoted to spotting the hundreds of different bird species on the island can be arranged with organizations like the Ruggedy Range Wilderness Experience. Guided nature walks, shuttle tours, and trips by water taxi will enable tourists to savor the island’s natural beauties from different perspectives.

Kayakers will find a sheer paradise in the many kilometers of waterways which are just perfect for the adventurous boater. There are even glass-bottomed boat tours which will show you the treasures of marine life just underneath the water’s surface.

Oban is the only settlement on Stewart Island, but it will provide visitors with all the amenities and New Zealand accommodations needed to facilitate a stay of multiple days and even weeks. At places like the Church Hill Cafe, the Wharfside Cafe, and the Charliez Pizzeria, you can enjoy a wide variety of foods from all over the world. You can also shop at the Four Square Supermarket and enjoy a quality stay at the South Sea Hotel.

The adventure at Stewart Island can take you as far as you are willing. Come explore the wonders of this fascinating tourism island!