Stewart Island is New Zealand’s third-largest island, located 30 kilometres south of the South Island, across Foveaux Strait.
In the Māori language, the island is known as Rakiura, meaning “the land of glowing skies.” You’ll understand why once you see the aurora australis appear, as it often does, in these southern skies.
More than 85% of the island is national park, and most visitors come to hike and watch birds. The island has just 28 km of road, but 280 km of walking trails suited to all levels. Take on the three-day hike and you’ll come away with a full measure of Stewart Island’s wild beauty.
Stewart Island is a stronghold for brown kiwi, or tokoeka, which outnumber humans on the island and are active day and night. Blue penguins and the rare yellow-eyed penguin waddle among the rocks. Off the coast, Ulva Island hosts a predator-free bird sanctuary with dozens of endemic species.
