7 Day Southern Odyssey: Stewart Island and the Catlins

It’s all about wheels at Invercargill's two excellent museums -  Bill Richardson Transport World and Classic Motorcycle Mecca. Burt Munro’s Indian Scout is also on display at E. Hayes & Son, a classic old style hardware store in the centre of town. 

We check out the famous signpost at Bluff then In the mid afternoon we take the 20-minute flight from Invercargill to Stewart Island. We are met on arrival and transferred to the Bay Motel. We dine at the South Seas Hotel.

Stay 2 nights Bay Motel, Stewart Island

There are lovely views of Half Moon Bay from this modern four star motel just above the town. There’s also the possibility a rare native bird, the Kaka, may land on your motel’s balcony.

What we love about the Bay Motel - Proximity to the surrounding bush and listening to the native birdlife makes staying at the Bay Motel a uniquely Stewart Island experience.

Wake up to the sounds of bird calls - kaka and tui. After a leisurely breakfast enjoying the views of the bay we drive most of Stewart Island's 28km of road -  including Oban and the surrounding beaches and the gateway to Rakiura National Park. Our on board local guide provides insights into Stewart Island’s community.

This afternoon we cruise the sheltered waters of beautiful Paterson Inlet and land at Ulva Island, a world acclaimed open sanctuary, Wide and flat wooden walkways take us into the heart of the island. Returning to Oban that evening.

• A local guide provides insights into Stewart Island’s community and seafaring history
• Cruise the sheltered waters of beautiful Paterson Inlet and land at Ulva Island

We fly back to Invercargill and visit Waipapa Point, Curio Bay and Porpoise Bay. We take our time in the Catlins - strolling to lakes and waterfalls. This region’s history includes whaling, logging native forest and farming yet seals, penguins and bird life abound.

We lunch at Niagara Cafe and have fun winding "rustic automata" at the Lost Gypsy Gallery in Papatowai.  We dine by the sea at the Point Café and Bar at Kaka Point.

• Take in the beauty and abundant wildlife of the Catlins
• Visit the Lost Gypsy Gallery in Papatowai

Stay 1 night Nugget View Motel, Catlins

This motel is in small coastal village in the Catlins situated in a private bush setting. It has wonderful sea views and sunrises, the song of bell birds and Nugget Point lighthouse and penguins are close by.

What we love about the Nugget View Motel - In an isolated but beautiful location stayng at the Nugget View Motel really allows us to get off the beaten track and explore this superb region in depth.

We start our day with a short visit to the stunning views at Nugget Point Lighthouse before winding our way to Balclutha and along the coast to the Taieri River mouth and onto the Otago Peninsula.

We drive out to Taiaroa Head on the tip of peninsula to visit the Royal Albatross Centre perched on the clifftops. This only mainland albatross colony in the world and there's every chance you will see albatross chicks. Later we drive back down the peninsula and into the city to check into our inner city hotel. We dine in this evening.

• Nugget Point/Tokata Lighthouse
• The Royal Albatross Centre is the only mainland albatross colony in the world

Stay 2 nights Scenic Hotel Southern Cross, Dunedin

Dunedin’s most prestigious hotel, the four star plus Southern Cross enjoys a premium location. Dating back to 1883, this landmark building blends Dunedin’s charm and heritage with modern day comforts.

What we love about the Scenic Hotel Southern Cross - Located right in the middle of town staying at the Southern Cross gives us great access to Dunedin's interesting shopping options easily reached by short walk.

We take a guided tour of historic Olveston House built in 1904 for a Dunedin merchant. We sightsee in and around Dunedin driving to Signal Hill and famously steep Baldwin Street. We lunch  at Carey's Bay hotel before returning to the city. Founded in 1848, Dunedin's Scottish ancestry shows and Robbie Burns’ statue takes pride of place in the Octagon.

Later we visit the Discovery World Tropical Forest at the Otago Museum home to exotic butterflies and a range of tropical plants and fish before returning to our hotel. We dine in this evening.

• Visit historic Olveston House for a guided tour
• Visit Otago's Discovery World Tropical Forest

We drive out along the Peninsula to visit Larnach Castle and Gardens and learn about the chequered early history of this local landmark. Returning to the inner city where Robbie Burn's statue takes pride of place in the Octagon, we call into Toitu Otago Settlers Museum and visit the Warehouse Precinct.

We lunch nearby in the Warehouse Precinct and in the mid afternoon transfer to Dunedin Airport for our return flight. 

• Visit Larnach Castle and Gardens
• Call into Toitu Otago Settlers Museum