Things to do on Stewart Island / Rakiura

Stewart Island / Rakiura, 'the land of the glowing skies', sits across Foveaux Strait from Bluff and is about 85% national park. The passenger ferry takes 1 hour and crosses water that is often rough, so check the forecast before booking; a 20-minute flight from Invercargill is the alternative for anyone prone to seasickness. Oban, the only settlement, has around 400 residents.

This is one of the few places in New Zealand where a kiwi can be seen in the wild after dark, without a guided sanctuary tour. Ulva Island, a short water-taxi ride from Oban, is predator-free and can be visited independently or with a guide. The Rakiura Track is a three-day Great Walk with huts booked in advance.

With minimal light pollution, clear nights bring good odds of the aurora australis.