New Zealand

Stewart Island Track Freedom Plus Walk

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"Picture yourself in the Southern most island of New Zealand wandering under a stadium of stars to try your luck at native kiwi spotting".

This Stewart Island Walk is a 4 day Freedom Plus Walk. Stewart Island offers the best chance most people will ever have to see New Zealand's national bird, the Kiwi, in its natural environment. Rest assured not many New Zealanders can make that claim.

Many centuries ago Maori came by canoe to the island to harvest shellfish and mutton birds, traditions still carried out today by local iwi. They named the island Rakiura - 'Land of the Glowing Skies' as it is renowned for lingering summer sunsets and the Aurora Australis or Southern Lights.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Invercargill

Stay at Tuatara Backpackers (which is also the YHA) right in the centre of Invercargill. Check your packing list and make sure you have a good supply of food for the next 2 days.

Day 2: Invercargill, Mason Bay                             Walk 4 hours / 10km

In the morning catch a shuttle to Invercargill Airport - a 10 minute journey. Please note that the flight time is dictated by the low tide and you will be advised in your itinerary. Fly by light plane from Invercargill airport to Mason Bay passing Codfish Island, an important Kakapo sanctuary. Landing on Mason Bay beach it is a short walk of about 1 hour through the sand dunes to the Mason Bay Hut - your accommodation for the night. This is a public DOC hut with no power, outside toilet and no cooking facilities.

This evening see if you can spot one of the local residents, a kiwi.

Day 3: Mason Bay, Freshwater, Halfmoon Bay       Walk 4 hours / 14km

A relatively easy ( flat ) walk across the Island to Freshwater. Some sections of thick mud. Massive sand dunes, head high tussock and Manuka trees house many native birds, including Stewart Island Kiwi's and robins.

At Freshwater Landing meet the water taxi for a 45 minute ride down Freshwater River and across Paterson Inlet to Golden Bay. A short walk takes you to Halfmoon Bay. Please note your water taxi departure is at high tide and it is critical you arrive at least half an hour in advance of the departure time. If you miss the water taxi you will be spending another 24 hours at the Freshwater Landing Hut! Tonight you stay in Stewart Island Backpackers with power and a shower!

Day 4: Halfmoon Bay, Invercargill

Time to explore Halfmoon Bay. Try one of many short walks, visit a local craft gallery, or just soak up the island ambience. In the afternoon ( generally the 1:30pm flight ) fly to Invercargill for the completion of our journey. Many customers chose to stay an extra night or two on Stewart Island and we are happy to arrange this for you. Options include a guided tour of the open sanctuary Ulva Island, sea kayaking in Paterson Inlet or maybe a spot of fishing for the famous blue cod.

General Information

Accommodation

Accommodation is based on share twin. In Invercargill you stay at Tuatara Backpackers (which is also the YHA) in the middle of Invercargill.

At Mason Bay you stay at the public DOC hut. Bunk beds are generally available in the hut (first in first served) no power, toilets are outside and there are no showers .... sorry that's the price you pay to see a kiwi in the wild and all of our customers agree it is worth it!

In Halfmoon Bay you stay at the Stewart Island Backpackers, right in the middle of town.

Weather

Is unpredictable. Extreme conditions can develop at any time. Be prepared for cold and wet weather and have warm waterproof equipment. It makes it even nicer when it is warm and sunny:

What to Bring

Depends on what you pack :) First thing is make sure you have well worn good fitting boots or tramping shoes. Too easy. Second thing is to add some things to the list below. So here is a suggested list of what to bring;

Payment

Full payment is required to confirm a booking. Cancellation fees apply. Bookings are essential.

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