Experience something amazing…
Ulva Island (Te Wharawhara) Nature and History Guided Walks and great Stewart Island Walks
Be guided by a Stewart Island local, who has the knowledge and know how to take you through some of the most diverse and beautiful places in New Zealand. Be entranced by abundant and colourful birdlife and the impressive forest of Ulva Island. Be taken in with the old charm of Stewart Island. You will leave here knowing that you have experienced something truly amazing.
SMALL GROUPS for a better experience • LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED
Ulva Island Walk
Ulva Island (Te Wharawhara), is renowned for its diverse and abundant birdlife with a forest dominated by Rimu, Southern Rata and Kamahi, surrounded by marine reserve. It was visited by Ngai Tahu Maori as part of their food gathering trips and in the 1890s it became one of New Zealand’s first reserves. After a lot of hardwork this 267 hectare island is now predator free, allowing the bird and plantlife to thrive.
TIMES: AM: 8.45am – 12.15pm; PM: 1pm – 4.30pm
PRICE: $130 pp ($60 12 & under). Includes water taxi.
SMALL GROUPS: 2 – 8 people
NEW WALK!
Explore Ulva Island
by Land and Sea
Be the first on Ulva Island at 7am* for an exclusive two and a half hour guided walk before circumnavigating Ulva Island in the Ulva Island water taxi for 1 hour, to gain another perspective of the island.
TIMES: 3.5-4hrs (Weather dependent)
PRICE: $200 per person (2 person minimum); $110 (12 years old & under)
SMALL GROUPS: 2 – 8 people
(*departure time can be changed to suit)
Call us on 027 316 3077 or email us now
NEW WALK!
Nature’s Pantry Walk
A Medicinal and Healing Plant Walk
Be taken on a walk through the forest of Mamaku Point Conservation Reserve, by a guide rich in knowledge about medicinal and healing properties of an array of New Zealand native plants used by Maori and European settlers in the past. Learn how these plants can still be used today as medicine and as a valuable food source.
The track has been made in a way to keep it as natural as possible. It is good but uneven with moss, roots and fallen foliage underfoot. Good footwear and moderate fitness is essential.
PRICE: $130 pp ($60 12 & under).
TIMES: AM: 9am – 12.30pm; PM: 1.30pm – 5pm
SEASON: September – June
SMALL GROUPS: 2 – 6 people
Great Stewart Island Walks
3.5-4hrs
Weather dependent
Be the first on Ulva Island at 7am* for an exclusive two and a half hour guided walk before circumnavigating Ulva Island in the Ulva Island water taxi for 1 hour, to gain another perspective of the island.
Adults: $200 per person (2 person minimum)
Children: $110 (12 & under)
(*departure time can be changed to suit)
Call us on 027 316 3077 or email us now
2-2.5hrs
November until March
Walk out to Ackers Point on dusk. Once at the Lighthouse, watch the Sooty Shearwaters coming ashore after sunset as they return to their burrows in the surrounding bush for the night. Once the last of the Sooty Shearwaters crash through the vegetation we start to slowly make our way back, looking for Little Blue Penguins which too are returning at night to their burrows after a day out foraging at sea. Also encounters with a Kiwi has happened, so you might get lucky when you join us!
Adults: $100
Children: $60 (12 & under)
(Kiwi encounter not guaranteed – but it has happened!)
Call us on 027 316 3077 or email us now
4-5hrs (includes water taxi)
One of the most popular coastal and native bush walks on Stewart Island. Water taxi to Port William, site of early Maori settlement, before continuing on to beautiful Maori beach. This was also where early Maori settled and later became a saw milling community in the early 1900s. We then make our way to Lee Bay via Little River, a stunning tidal river mouth, overhanging with Rata trees.
Along the coast lookout for a plethora of birdlife, such as, Mutton birds (Sooty Shearwaters), Shags, Buller’s Mollymawks, Cape Pigeons, and little Blue Pengiuns. In the native bush you may see and hear Bellbirds, Tui, Fantails, Parakeets, Shining Cuckoos, Grey Warblers, Kaka and Tomtits and more.
Adults: $250
Children: $120 (12 & under)
Price includes water taxi
Call us on 027 316 3077 or email us now
3hrs
A gorgeous coastal walk leaving from Halfmoon Bay, taking you to beautiful Harrold Bay. Here stands one of the oldest buildings in New Zealand, built by Lewis Acker in 1835, who lived there with his 9 children. From Harrold Bay we follow the gravelled walkway out to Ackers Point Lighthouse, where abundant birdlife can be observed. You’ll get to take in the amazing panoramic views from the lighthouse, over the Muttonbird islands and Foveaux Strait.
Adults: $100
Children: $60 (12 & under)
Call us on 027 316 3077 or email us now
Various times and places
Various times and places tailored to your interests. Ranging from 1.5 – 4 hours.
There are several bush walks close to Halfmoon Bay that still show off the wild beauty of Stewart Island. We can show you where these little pockets of nature are, and tell you any interesting historical stories and help you spy fascinating local birdlife.
Prices ranging from $50 – $120 per person
Call us on 027 316 3077 or email us now
Bringing you handmade, organic balms from Stewart Island.
Rakiura Balms uses organic essential oils and beeswax, blended with New Zealand organically grown plants.
Natural balms that soothe and repair, speed up the healing of wounds and minor cuts, repel insects and soothe bites.
