Stewart Island

Sitting 30km off the South Island, Stewart Island is New Zealand's third-largest motu. Known as Rakiura Island in Māori (glowing skies), in winter the Southern Lights illuminate the sky. On land, the terrain is dense with both forest and wildlife, notably because predators are scarce.

Enjoy the simple pleasures that come with the slower pace of life on Stewart Island. As New Zealand's southern-most island, it’s also the most remote, so if you’re looking for off-the-beaten track experiences, look no further.

Accessed via a one-hour ferry journey with Stewart Island Ferry Services from Bluff, or a 20-minute flight from Invercargill, it’s easy to get away from it all. Almost 90 percent of the island is National Park and it’s in this largely untamed wilderness that you can have a real adventure. Aside from the Rakiura Track, Stewart Island is famed for its clear, pollution-free sky and Dark Sky Sanctuary status. From March through to September, there's a high probability of seeing Aurora Australis, also known as the Southern Lights.

Away from the bush, pristine beaches and pretty bays are just as numerous. Sheltered Bathing Beach is just a short walk from the main settlement of Oban, and on the way there (or back) it is an absolute must to stop for fish and chips from Kai Kart.

Explore the completely predatorfree environment of Ulva Island and admire the vast number of bird species. It’s no secret that the chance of spotting kiwi on Stewart Island is high, with the Stewart Island Brown Kiwi often spied scuttling hither and thither.

There's also electric bike hire, fishing charters and full-day carving workshops at Rakiura Jade. Whatever you choose, embrace 'island time' and enjoy the peace and quiet.

Falcon © Shellie Evans

Through the regenerating bush and subalpine scrub, look and listen out for kea, falcon, tūī, bellbird, grey warbler and shining and long-tailed cuckoo.

Visit Bluff

Bluff is well known for its oysters and the famed Bluff Oyster Festival takes place every May, but there’s more than just shucking to be done here. Explore the historic port, jump on a boat to Stewart Island, find the AA signpost at Stirling Point and sigh at the views from atop Bluff Hill.

Bluff oysters © Miles Holden

Looking for a place to stay? Find a huge range of accommodation options, including discounts for AA Members, at travel.aa.co.nz/Hotels

Main Image: Rakiura Track, Stewart Island © Southland Tourism