All Stewart Island / Rakiura Tours & Excursions in 2026

Stewart Island is New Zealand’s third largest island and it’s an idyllic spot for a day trip from Bluff. Maximise your time with this great-value return ferry to Stewart Island from Bluff and sail across the scenic Foveaux Strait on a 1-hour catamaran cruise.

There are few places in New Zealand where you’re likely to spot kiwis in the wild, and Stewart Island is one. Improve your chances of spotting this nocturnal bird on a guided tour at dusk. Head out for a pre-sunset cruise, spotting albatross, penguins, and fur seals, before a venture into the bush toward a secluded beach where kiwi are often spotted. For a deeper understanding of New Zealand, upgrade to the culture "kiwi and culture encounter" to hear stories of Maori and European history.

Explore the unspoiled bays of Rakiura Stewart Island on a minibus tour with a local guide. Starting from Oban village, your narrated tour covers Lee Bay, Halfmoon Bay, and Horseshoe Bay. Stop for photos of Paterson Inlet from Observation Rock, and hop off the vehicle for short walks along the hour-long route. As you can’t bring your car to the island, this is a great way to see a lot.

There are many great walking spots on Stewart Island/Rakiura, but it can be hard to reach some places independently. Avoid the risk of getting lost, and learn more about the island’s natural and cultural history, on this guided walk to Oneke, or “the Neck.” Starting in Oban, take a short boat ride to the trail, then breathe deeply as you walk through native forest surrounded by birdsong.