What to do on Ulva Island: your guide to Stewart Island's open predator-free sanctuary

Ulva Island (Te Wharawhara) sits a seven-minute water taxi ride from Oban, yet it feels like a different world. Figuring out what to do on Ulva Island is easier than you might think: the forest does most of the work, filling the silence with birdsong before you have even stepped off the jetty. This guide covers the wildlife, the walking tracks, how to get there, and which RealNZ experiences give you the best access, whether you have a spare half-day or want a full multi-day expedition into Rakiura's most remote corners.

What makes Ulva Island a predator-free sanctuary

Ulva Island is an open predator-free sanctuary inside Paterson Inlet, administered as part of Rakiura National Park off Rakiura Stewart Island. "Open" means exactly what it sounds like: any visitor can land and walk the tracks without a permit, which is unusual among New Zealand's island sanctuaries.

The biosecurity work that keeps the island predator-free is ongoing and genuinely demanding. Rat incursions average between one and two events per year, and trapping is continuous. RealNZ holds a memorandum for a predator-free Rakiura, and our Rakiura teams run active predator trapping as part of operations, contributing directly to the sanctuary's health. Visitors play a role too: checking footwear and bags for seeds and soil before crossing is not a formality, it is one of the most practical things you can do to protect the island.

For comparison, Whenua Hou (Codfish Island) to the northwest is a restricted reserve where independent access is not permitted.

Ulva Island birds: wildlife you can expect to see

Stewart Island birdwatching does not get better than this. Guests describe being greeted by birds the moment they arrive, and Ulva Island comes up again and again in reviews as the best place in New Zealand to go birdwatching. That reputation is earned.

Species you are likely to encounter:

• South Island saddleback (tieke): more reliably seen here than almost anywhere on the mainland, often perching within arm's reach of the track
• Yellowhead (mohua): one of New Zealand's rarest forest birds, present in healthy numbers on Ulva
• Stewart Island robin: curious and almost comically unafraid of people
• Kaka: watch the canopy, especially in the morning, and listen for the raucous call before you spot them
• Weka: on the beaches and forest edges, always investigating something
• New Zealand tomtit: small, fast, and worth stopping for

Sightings are excellent but not guaranteed on any given day. An Ulva Island guided tour improves your chances significantly because our guides track current activity patterns and know where to look at different times of year.

One honest note: wild kiwi are present on Rakiura Stewart Island, which holds one of the highest-density kiwi populations in New Zealand, but they are not typically spotted on Ulva during daylight hours. If seeing kiwi is on your list, add an evening with Stewart Island Wild Kiwi Encounters to your itinerary. Our guides know which beaches and conditions produce sightings, and the success rate is very high.

For a closer look at the unique species you might encounter during your visit, explore our guide to Stewart Island’s native birds and wildlife.

Walking tracks and what to do once you arrive

Ulva Island has approximately 4.5 kilometres of walking track. The trails are well-marked, mostly flat, and short enough that you can cover the main routes in a comfortable half-day.

Key stops on the island:

• Sydney Cove: the main landing point, with mature podocarp forest immediately off the jetty
• Boulder Beach: a short walk through dense bush to a quiet rocky shoreline, good for weka sightings
• West End Beach: the furthest point from the wharf, with open views across Paterson Inlet and a very different, more exposed feel to the rest of the island

Self-guided exploring works well here. The tracks do not require navigation experience and the island is small enough that you are unlikely to get turned around. That said, an Ulva Island guided tour adds a layer of interpretive depth that changes what you actually see. Our nature guides explain the ecological history of the sanctuary, point out birds you would otherwise walk past, and can read the forest in a way that takes years of time on the island to develop.

A few practical notes: carry water, pack waterproofs, and bring a warm layer regardless of the forecast. The forest trails stay cool even in summer, and weather on Rakiura changes quickly.

Planning to explore more of the island on foot? Discover the best day walks on Stewart Island.

How to get to Ulva Island from Stewart Island

The standard route is a water taxi or cruise from Golden Bay Wharf in Oban, roughly seven minutes across Paterson Inlet. The Ulva Island Explorer cruise is RealNZ's dedicated return sea cruise through Paterson Inlet, delivering guests directly to the island. It is the most straightforward way to get there and back without organising your own water taxi separately.

Getting to Stewart Island first is the prior question. The Stewart Island ferry from Bluff to Oban takes approximately one hour and runs daily. Bluff is about 30 minutes south of Invercargill, which is the usual jumping-off point for the island.

If you are travelling from Queenstown and want to fit Stewart Island and Ulva Island into a single day, the Stewart Island Day Trip includes a return scenic flight from Queenstown and a full day of guided exploration, inlcuding the Ulva Island explorer. For visitors short on time it makes the whole thing possible without an overnight stay.

RealNZ experiences that include Ulva Island

There are a few ways to approach a visit, depending on how much time you have and how deep you want to go.

Ulva Island Explorer A half-day, fully guided experience including return sea cruise through Paterson Inlet from Oban and a walking tour taking in the island's wildlife and landmarks with one of our expert guides. Perfect for ifrst-time visitors and wilflide enthusiasts. Book the Ulva Island Explorer.

Stewart Island Day Trip from Queenstown A  full-day journey from Queenstown to Rakiura Stewart Island, including scenic return flights over Lakw Whakatipu, the Southland Coast and Foveaux Strait. Explore Oban on the Village & Bays Tour in the morning before joining the Ulva Island Explorer in the afternoon. Perfect for those who only have one day to spare for Rakiura. Book Stewart Island Day Trip.

Stewart Island Discovery Expeditions A multi-day expedition covering Paterson Inlet, Ulva Island, and access to Whenua Hou (Codfish Island), a restricted reserve that independent travellers cannot reach. If you want the full depth of what Rakiura has to offer, this is it. View the Stewart Island Discovery Expeditions.

If you have a few days on Rakiura Stewart Island, read our 2 Days on Stewart Island itinerary for how to fit in all the best RealNZ experiences.

Planning your visit: what to know before you go

• Weather: Rakiura has a famously changeable climate. Rain is frequent year-round. Pack waterproofs, full stop, regardless of what the forecast says when you leave Oban.
• Best time to visit: Spring (September to November) bring quieter visitor numbers and lengthening days. The birdlife is active and the forest has a stillness to it that is hard to find in the peak summer months.
• Accommodation and food: Stewart Island has approximately 400 permanent residents, almost all in Oban. Dining and accommodation options are limited. Book ahead, especially in summer, or you will be disappointed.
• Biosecurity: Before you land on Ulva Island, check your footwear and bags for seeds and soil. Rat incursions are the primary threat to the sanctuary and every visitor who takes this seriously makes a difference.
• Getting around: There are no roads connecting Oban to the rest of the island. Beyond the township, transport is by boat or helicopter. Factor this into your planning, particularly if you want to reach the more remote parts of Rakiura National Park.

Frequently asked questions about Ulva Island

Ready to visit Te Wharawhara?

Knowing what to do on Ulva Island is the easy part. The Ulva Island predator-free sanctuary rewards every visitor who makes the crossing, whether you spend two hours walking the tracks on your own or a full expedition exploring the Paterson Inlet wildlife on a multi-day Discovery Expedition.

Start with the Ulva Island Explorer cruise for a half-day return trip from Oban.