Getting Here and Around

Air Travel

Stewart Island Flights has three scheduled flights daily between Invercargill and Halfmoon Bay. The 20-minute flight costs NZ$203 round-trip; for the best views ask to sit up front with the pilot. The island's bare-bones-but-paved Ryan's Creek Airstrip is about 2 km (1 mile) from Oban (population 390). The shuttle that meets each flight is included in the airfare.

Contacts

Stewart Island Flights. 03/218–9129; www.stewartislandflights.com.

Boat Travel

Stewart Island Experience runs the ferry between the island and Bluff. There are three departures daily November to April, and one during the low season. The cost is NZ$75 each way. The company also offers an extensive list of organized tours, including trips aboard submersible craft with viewing windows that afford a close-up look at dozens of fish species and the mesmerizing kelp forests.

Contacts

Rakiura Adventure Ulva Ferry. 03/219–1013.

Stewart Island Experience. Stewart Island Visitor Terminal, Main Wharf, Oban, Southland, 9846. 03/212–7660; 0800/000–511; www.stewartislandexperience.co.nz.

Stewart Island Water Taxi & Eco Guiding. 0800/469–283; 03/219–1394; www.stewartislandwatertaxi.co.nz.

Car, Moped, and Bicycle Travel

There are cars, mopeds, and bicycles for rent on the island, but there are only 20 km (13 miles) of paved road. Most of the traffic road signs you'll see are big yellow caution ones depicting silhouettes of kiwi and penguins.

Foot Travel

The best mode of transportation on the island is the "10-toe express." There are some sidewalks; when there isn’t one, keep to the edge of the road and you’ll endear yourself to locals by not strolling in the middle of traffic.

Taxi Travel

Water taxis are an excellent option if you want to "mix it up" a bit when seeing the park. One-way fares start from NZ$45 depending on destination, and the Ulva Island return is NZ$25. Four taxis operate from Golden Bay Wharf, a scenic 15-minute walk from town. The visitor center can make a booking for you.