Had a fantastic time. What a privilege to be seeing all these species of birds and even some marine animals along the way. Karen the guide was exceptional. This tour is a must-do when visiting Stewart Island.
Ulva Island Explorer
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More Information
General information
Duration 2 hours 15 minutes
Suitable for most ages and fitness levels
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
Please bring non-slip shoes or boots, a waterproof jacket, a warm sweater or fleece jacket, sunscreen/ sunglasses, insect repellent, a camera, and personal medication (including for asthma and allergies).
Picnic lunches
Price: $30pp- Must be pre-ordered prior to 12pm the day before travel.
Includes: a filled roll, fresh fruit, brownie/muffin, dried fruits (raisins, berries, etc.), and complimentary tea and coffee.
Please note: If you require a vegetarian, dairy-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.
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.
Ulva Island Explorer, Stewart Island, New Zealand