Of the many New Zealand (NZ) islands, the mid-sized Stewart Island is truly a hiker’s paradise. Located 24 kms away from the South Island, this island is cut off by Foveaux Strait. It is covered with lush forests and has a very small population. Fishing is the main occupation of the people residing here. For visitors, Stewart Island is a perfect place for bird watching tours and exciting deer hunting expedition. Tourists from different parts of the world arrive here to spot Kiwis, the flightless birds.
Stewart Island is undoubtedly a scenic area of NZ. Here, you will come across a number of attractions including sightseeing spots and leisure activities. Some of the most sought after Stewart Island attractions are discussed below.
Among the noted attractions in Stewart Island, Rakiura Museum is one. It is an ideal site if you want to visit the historical past of this island. In this museum, you will get to see a vast collection of photographs on whaling, sailing, sawmilling and fishing that cover Island’s history. Maori objects and shell also feature in the exhibits. This museum operates from Monday to Saturday between 10 am – noon. On Sundays, it operates from noon to 2 pm. During summer holidays, visiting hours are extended for the convenience of the tourists.
One of the 14th national parks in New Zealand, Rakiura National Park was opened for public viewing in 2002. Extended over 157,000 hectares, this park covers almost 85% of the Stewart Island. It includes former scenic reserves, state forests as well as nature parks. Visitors come here to witness soothing sunrise and sunset views. In addition, seals, kiwi, penguins and weka can be spotted here. It is a perfect place to admire the unspoilt beauty of coastal forest, inlets and beaches. Some of the exciting adventure activities that are available here include fishing, cruising, boating and fishing. Scenic flight tours are also popular.
Located on Golden Bay Road, the Fernery is a famous crafts shop in this island. Here, you will get a good and impressive collection of souvenirs, pottery, wooden materials and glassware. Excellent silk and T-shirts are also available here.
Another attractive shopping destination on this island is Glowing Sky Studio Shop. This site is best recognized for its merino wool wears.
Ulva Island is well connected to Stewart Island. This place is a home to endangered bird species and exotic plants. Some of the popular avian species in this park are tieke (saddleback), mohua (yellowhead) and toutouwai (robin).
A plenty of recreational options are available in Stewart Island. It has something for everyone including leisure tourists and adventure seekers. For adventure lovers, this is an ideal place for kayaking, diving, fishing and deer hunting. Leisure tourists can indulge in long hours of shopping to secure best buys in souvenirs, key chains, t-shirts and postcards. Food lovers will also love this place as it has exciting eating-out options for them.
