Ferry from Stewart Island to New Zealand

About Stewart Island

Stewart Island is the third largest in New Zealand, situated 30 kilometres south of the South Island. Lying just across the Foveaux Strait, Stewart Island has one of the country’s most untouched landscapes. It is fast becoming a popular eco-tourism destination, boasting immaculate beaches, dense forests and picturesque bays. As you would expect from an island with unspoilt terrain, Stewart is home to many species of bird including 20,000 of the endangered brown kiwi, the flightless Stewart Island kiwi and the nearly extinct kakapo parrot. It’s also a great location for adventure sports like kayaking and walking, where, on an evening stroll, you might catch a glimpse of the spectacular Aurora Australis. As for hiking, the 39-kilometre trek along the Rakiura Track lasts 3 days, taking you through some of the national park, across high ridges and along the beautiful Paterson Inlet. Stewart Island makes a fantastic day trip or short excursion from the South Island, so there are frequent crossings back to the town of Bluff which usually last around an hour.

About New Zealand

New Zealand is an island nation in the south-west Pacific Ocean consisting of the North and South Islands, approximately 1,500 kilometres east of Australia. When it comes to awe-inspiring natural backdrops, New Zealand’s landscape tops the list. Glacial fjords, jagged mountains, rolling green plains, cascading rivers, active volcanoes and idyllic beaches fill this 268,021-sq-km nation. Also, with a population of just 4.6 million, it offers the ideal scenery for long, peaceful hikes. When it comes to urban areas, New Zealand doesn’t fail to deliver, either. The capital, Wellington is the cultural hub, characterised by Victorian architecture and a vibrant downtown, whilst the affluent Auckland, with its iconic Sky Tower, boasts superb restaurants and a superyacht-filled harbour. As a country comprising 2 main islands and numerous offshore islets, travelling by ferry is a popular way to get around New Zealand. There are plenty of fast crossings to the Hauraki Islands by Auckland, between the North and South Islands and to Stewart Island in the south.