Land of Glowing Skies – Rakiura Stewart Island

Rakiura Stewart Island is the ideal place to visit if you’re looking for adventure, scenery and serenity. Just make sure you take time to appreciate the island’s lifestyle and all that it has to offer.

If you are looking for an overseas holiday that’s a little closer to home, Rakiura Stewart Island offers the spectacular sunsets, sandy beaches and lush natural wilderness you have been dreaming about. Rakiura ‘The Land of Glowing Skies’ refers to the story of Māori Chief Te Rakitāmau and it is said that the red skies of Rakiura reflect the blushing embarrassment of Te Rakitāmau after a marriage proposal was declined. In 2019, Stewart Island was accredited as a Dark Sky Sanctuary to help preserve the natural nightscape that so many are drawn to, making it a remarkable location for astrotourism and catching a glimpse of the extraordinary Aurora Australis/Southern Lights.

Getting there is a breeze. Located 30 kilometres south of Bluff, Rakiura is an hour’s ferry ride away with Real NZ’s Stewart Island Ferry Experience. Or if you prefer to take to the skies, choose between a 20-minute flight with Stewart Island Flights departing from the Invercargill Airport or a thrilling 15-minute flight from Bluff with Stewart Island Helicopters.

With over 85 per cent of the island forming Rakiura National Park, there is no shortage of wildlife to spot, or walking tracks to explore, including the Rakiura Track – one of New Zealand’s Great Walks. If a shorter walk is more your style, the island is also home to over 280 kilometres of walking tracks of various lengths.

Here are our top picks and suggestions for your time on Rakiura Stewart Island …

Ulva Island Te Wharawhara

Ulva Island Te Wharawhara is located in Paterson Inlet, on the eastern coast of Rakiura. This predator-free sanctuary provides a safe haven for the local bird community including the South Island saddleback, yellowhead, rifleman, Stewart Island robin and Stewart Island brown kiwi.

Ulva Island is a must-see for tourists to the island and is reachable by a short water taxi journey with operators such as Rakiura Charters. The well-kept trails on the island allow the entire family to get up close and personal with all that Ulva Island has to offer.

A guided walk is an excellent way to enhance your experience. Ulva’s Guided Walks have been guiding visitors for over 20 years, with knowledgeable guides and small groups. Discover and learn about the unusual, rare and endangered birds and flora as you walk through the lush native forest that Ulva Island is home to.

Rakiura Track

The Rakiura Track, one of New Zealand’s Great Walks, is open all year round and suitable for anybody with a reasonable degree of fitness. Walk through native forest and over sandy beaches while listening to birdsong and taking in landscapes that have barely altered in hundreds of years.

The track is both boardwalk and gravel which follows the coastline before delving into native bush. It travels past historical locations such as the Port Williams settlement from the 1870s and intriguing artefacts from earlier forestry projects. Don’t forget to listen carefully to hear the local kiwi calling out; if you’re lucky, you may even glimpse one.

The track is 29 kilometres long making it a comfortable distance to cover in three days, however for the more ambitious, it can be done in two. Transport to and from the track can be arranged with local shuttle services or you can walk the additional distance between Oban and the track.

Tour the Island

With only 28 kilometres of road on the island there is no excuse to not take a tour of the Oban township. Jump on a bus, in a cab or hire an e-bike and get exploring!

Located in the heart of Oban, the award-winning Rakiura Museum is not to be missed, home to an extensive collection of relics and photographs of the island’s early history. For a quirky short film that delves into the island’s local characters, pioneering history and a whole island tour, head to Bunkhouse Theatre for the daily screening of A Local’s Tail.

RealNZ’s Stewart Island Village and Bays Tours offer an enjoyable insight into our country’s southernmost community, the town’s history and the natural environment of the island. Local guides share their knowledge on a guided mini-bus tour while allowing plenty of time for photo stops and short walks.

Aurora Cab Co offers bespoke excursions for a more personalised and off-the-beaten-path experience. Enjoy a local’s commentary on the history, natural environment and daily life on the island as you tour the key landmarks.

Stewart Island Electric Bikes are a terrific way to get about the island in your own time with ease. Cycle up to Observation Rock for incredible panoramic views of Paterson Inlet and Mount Rakeahua. Additionally, make your way to Ackers Point & Lighthouse and take in the wide views of Foveaux Strait with the possibility to spot blue penguins and titi colonies.

Definitely add Lee Bay to the tour – this picturesque ride takes you past beaches, bays, scenic reserves and picture-perfect picnic spots and is home to the chain sculpture. This sculpture symbolises the anchor chain of demigod Māui who anchored his canoe (the South Island) with Rakiura (Stewart Island). It also serves as the gateway to Rakiura National Park and the beginning of the Rakiura Track.

Take to the Seas

Surrounded by the pristine clear bays of Paterson Inlet and a marine reserve which is only a paddle away, there is no place better to explore by kayak. Take a tour with the experienced and certified Phil’s Sea Kayak. Suitable for all levels, this peaceful and spectacular experience is a terrific opportunity to explore the coastline, sandy beaches and underwater pleasures. Don’t forget to pack your camera – this tour offers wonderful opportunities for nature and bird photography!

Take in the spectacular surroundings of Foveaux Strait and Rakiura with Tequila Fishing and Birdwatching Charters. Skipper Anthony O’Rourke has extensive local knowledge and over 25 years of experience in commercial fishing. Learn how to prepare, set and retrieve Cod Pots, as well as how to process your catch. Take your time fishing with traditional hand lines for your own blue cod to bring home for your dinner.

Meet the local wildlife up close and personal with a Paterson Inlet Wildlife Tour with Rakiura Charters. This commentated one-hour cruise takes you around the stunning southern bays of Paterson Inlet, around the coastline of Ulva Island, around the Neck and Big Glory Bay – all hotspots for the local bird and wildlife. Local bottlenose dolphins, Fiordland crested penguins, little blue penguins, white-fronted terns, South Island and pied shags, and the distinctive mollymawks should all be seen. Explore the Ulva Island Marine Reserve to learn about its fascinating marine habitats – this is a terrific place to spot a jellyfish or starfish!

Nightlife

As the sun sets across the island the locals are preparing for a big night. Outnumbering humans on the island 50 to one, the southern brown kiwi Rakiura tokoeka are true island locals and the chances of spotting them are high.

Take a guided kiwi spotting tour with Beaks & Feathers, who have exclusive access to private land where kiwi come out to forage under the cover of darkness; the knowledgeable and experienced local guides will be sure to leave you with a memorable kiwi experience.

Rakiura’s beauty and seclusion means it is virtually free of light pollution, offering one of the darkest locations in the world to view the night sky as the centre of the galaxy passes almost directly over your head. This is just one reason why in 2019, the island was recognised globally as an International Dark Sky Sanctuary – only the second island in the world to achieve this recognition, and the southern-most. The island’s unique scenery and almost primeval natural landscapes perfectly complement the night skies, making for an other-worldly experience.

Delve further into the night sky on a tour with Twinkle Dark Sky Tours to see the most stunning sites in our solar system and if you are fortunate, you might see the Aurora Australis, also known as the Southern Lights.

Places to Stay

Whether you’re visiting the island to check out the local walks, taking your significant other for a romantic weekend beneath the stars, or going on an epic action-packed family weekend away, Rakiura has plenty of options to fit your needs. Just be sure to book in advance to avoid missing out!

• For an unforgettable experience, Church Hill Boutique Lodge & Restaurant features stand-alone suites with views of Halfmoon Bay and an on-site restaurant with a menu that highlights the region’s greatest produce.

If you prefer a modern, comfortable apartment, the Argyle Apartments are new to the island and only a five-minute walk from Oban township. Relax on the deck, take in the sights of the fishing boat as the sun sets and the skies glow, and then delight in the night sky that the island is known for!

• The Bay Motel is centrally located, spacious and perfect for a getaway with family or friends! Fully equipped for your stay, they even have a spot to cook your catch of the day! Offering incredible views over Halfmoon Bay, you won’t need to leave – but if you do, it’s only a short stroll into Oban!

For more information or to plan your trip visit southlandnz.com