A great tour with an informative skipper and an exceptionally good and well-informed guide on the island. We learned about the natural features and interesting history of Stewart Island and Paterson Inlet. On Ulva Island the wonderful guide showed us otherwise hidden flora and fauna and explained the fascinating story of the island's recovery from predation and misuse to be now a small piece of natural paradise.
Ulva Island Explorer
More Information
Departure Location
Stewart Island Ferry Terminal, Stewart Island
What’s included
- Cruise of Paterson Inlet
- 45 minute guided walk on Ulva Island Wildlife Sanctuary
- On board nature guide
What to bring
Non-slip shoes/boots, waterproof jacket, warm sweater/fleece jacket, sunscreen/ sunglasses, insect repellent, camera and personal medication (including for asthma and allergies).
Picnic Lunches
Price: $22pp - Must be pre-ordered prior to 12pm the day before travel.
Includes: Filled roll, fresh fruit, brownie/muffin, dried fruits (raisins, berries, etc.), complimentary tea and coffee.
Please note: If you require a vegetarian, diary free, gluten free or vegan lunch, please add this into the comments box during the booking process. Menus are indicative only.
Ulva Island/Te Wharawhara
Tui
The island sanctuary is located within Paterson Inlet (Whaka a Te Wera) and offers the opportunity to view rarer native species including weka, kākā, kākāriki, tūī, bellbirds (korimako), pigeons (kereru), fantails (piwakawaka), tomtit (miromiro) and brown creeper (pīpipi).
The saddleback (tieke), yellowhead (mohua), Stewart Island robin (toutouwai) and rifleman (titipounamu) have all been successfully reintroduced to Ulva Island.
Some lucky visitors to the sanctuary have also seen the Stewart Island brown kiwi (tokoeka) during the day.
Ulva Island is part of the Rakiura National Park and covers an approximate 269 hectares which are mostly managed by the Department of Conservation.
The island, which has no permanent human population, is supported by the Ulva Island Charitable Trust, a group of Stewart Islanders, who raise funds for research, maintain the tracks and infrastructure, and help with bird releases.
Since the eradication of rats, Ulva Island has offered a predator-free environment for the birds and plant life.
In 2005, common skinks were transferred to the island from the other side of Paterson Inlet. A rodent dog ensures that the predator free status is maintained and traps are located across the island to minimise the chance of re-evasion.
The rainforest on Ulva Island consists of rimu, southern rātā and kamahi, and also diverse varieties of broadleaf and ferns.
Ulva Island has easy walking tracks and is an aspiring place to visit for anyone interested in native birds or plants.
FAQs
In case you haven't found the information you were looking for, we've put together some of the most common questions our customers ask about our trips. If you need more specific answers, please contact us directly.
