Halfmoon Bay - Oban - Stewart Island - Rakiura National Park

From Bluff, visitors can catch a ferry to Stewart Island. The island can also be reached by air from Invercargill. Stewart Island is a haven for native bird life and the only place in New Zealand where you can readily see kiwi in their natural habitat. The main settlement is situated in Halfmoon Bay and has a general store, postal agency, Department of Conservation Visitor Centre and various accommodation options. The southern side of Oban is a bay named Golden Bay. From Halfmoon Bay there are a number of tracks suitable for day walks. There is also the Rakiura Track, one of the 'Great Walks', a 3 day round trip of 32km, see nearby places.

The (2009) sculpture at the entrance to the National Park is by Bluff artist Russell Beck. It represents an anchor chain and is matched by 'the other end' of the chain, at the Stirling Point, Bluff, across Foveaux Strait. In Maori mythology, legendary fisherman Maui who fished up the North Island (Te Ika a Maui) also fished up the South Island (Te Wahipounamu) and anchored it using Stewart Island (Rakiura)

STEWART ISLAND VILLAGE AND BAYS TOUR

RETURN FERRY TO STEWART ISLAND FROM BLUFF

Try an electric bike around the Oban area:

Image Credits: Half Moon Bay, Stewart Island, 1896, Stewart Island, by James Nairn. Gift of Mrs J.D. Watt, 1969. Te Papa, Horseshoe Bay, Stewart Island, circa 1898, New Zealand, by Burton Brothers studio, Muir & Moodie studio. Te Papa,Golden Bay, Stewart Island, circa 1899, New Zealand, by Muir & Moodie studio, Burton Brothers studio. Te Papa