Of New Zealand's three main islands, Stewart Island is the southernmost and smallest (about 75km long and up to 45km wide). The island contains New Zealand's newest national park - Rakiura National Park.
In the Maori language, Stewart Island is known as Rakiura, which translates as ‘the land of the glowing skies’. This name probably refers to the aurora australis, an atmospheric phenomenon which is often seen in the southern sky.
About 85% of the island is a national park and there’s only one settlement of any size – Halfmoon Bay (sometimes called Oban), which offers a variety of accommodation. The majority of visitors come to hike the well-maintained tracks. Department of Conservation huts provide accommodation for overnight hikes.
Only on Stewart Island can you see tracts of virgin Southland native forest. Protecting these habitats, particularly on predator-free Ulva Island Open Bird Sanctuary (accessible by water taxi), is essential for the long-term survival of kiwi, yellow-eyed penguins, kakapo, dotterels, bats, weka, South Island saddlebacks and wetas (a large cricket-type flightless insect).
For anyone seeking peace and tranquillity, Stewart Island is the ultimate spot. There are superb bush walks and great launch cruises around some of New Zealand's most beautiful coastline. The island's amazingly clear and clean waters make it a snorkelling and diving paradise.
Due to an anomaly in the magnetic latitude contours, this location is well placed for observing Aurora australis.
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A simpler, slower lifestyle attuned to the natural world of bush and beach
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Halfmoon Bay is the only settlement on Stewart Island, New Zealand's third largest island. It’s a fishing town that also serves as a base for hikers and birdwatchers. Most of the island’s hiking tracks start here; others can be accessed by water taxi.
Birdlife is prolific – around the coast there are sooty shearwaters, mollymawks, cape pigeons and various types of penguin; while hiking inland, you’ll see and hear bellbirds, tui, fantails, kaka and many more. With a guide, you can watch kiwi feeding on sandhoppers at the beach. There’s a range of essential shops in the town and a choice of places to eat.
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Experience Stewart Island's wild beauty
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Rakiura translates to 'the Land of Glowing Skies', a name that refers to both the beautiful night-sky phenomenon called the Aurora Australis (the Southern Lights) and the breathtaking sunsets that burn on the western horizon.
Night time is very special in this park for other reasons too. While you're tucked up inside a Department of Conservation hut, nocturnal bird life provides an unforgettable chorus. You'll hear the calls of ruru (the native owl), weka and kiwi. On Stewart Island, you have an excellent chance of seeing kiwi in the wild.
During daylight, the serenade continues. Along with tui, bellbirds, tomtits, grey warblers and fantails, you'll hear red-crowned parakeets, bush parrots and Stewart Island robins. The coastal fringes of the island are home to three species of penguin, fernbirds, banded rails, weka and many kinds of seabird.
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