Stewart Island an expensive day trip

I thought a day trip to Stewart Island was a good idea but a one hour return ferry ride was $400 for two. When we got there it was obvious that a little more homework would have been useful. Most people come to Stewart Island in order to get to another island Ulva, where there is a wide variety of wildlife.

It's a large island 40ks in any direction. Coffee and cake fortified us for a walk. After an hour or so it was apparent that we had seen what we could on foot unless we wanted to take a 30+ kms hike (sorry tramp). Next option pay $100 for four hour car hire. We had 3 hours before the return ferry so we hired a car.

It is a pretty place but windy and overcast for most of the day. Three layers were definitely necessary. It was worth hiring the car as we got to see some of the beaches that, although those more intrepid than us walked. Not much by way of bird life apart from gulls. Apparently the kiwi population outnumber the human kiwis on the island but they are shy birds so no sightings.Read more