Southland & Stewart Island Birdwatching
Cross the sea from Invercargill to Rakiura to see kiwis and explore Ulva Island without needing to drive.
Visit the motorcycle museum in Invercargill, head to the iconic signpost at the southern tip of Bluff, and take the ferry to Stewart Island for a two-night stay. Highlights include the predator-free bird sanctuary on Ulva Island and a nighttime wild kiwi-spotting tour. No car rental is needed on the island, as shuttles and water taxis are sufficient. This itinerary excludes the long-distance Rakiura Track, making it ideal for bird lovers and slow-paced travelers.
Ferries may be rescheduled during rough sea conditions; it is best to leave a one-day buffer after your return.
Day by day
Day 1 · Invercargill Motorcycle Legends
Invercargill & Bluff（E Hayes & Sons (World's Fastest Indian)、Classic Motorcycle Mecca、Queens Park）
Take a taxi from the airport to the city center (approx. 10 minutes), then walk or take short taxi rides to the museums.
Stay: Central Invercargill
Day 2 · Southern Signpost and Ferry to the Island
Invercargill & Bluff（Stirling Point、Bluff Hill Lookout (Motupōhue)） → Stewart Island (Rakiura)（Oban (Halfmoon Bay)、Rakiura Museum Te Puka o Te Waka）
Take a shuttle to Bluff (approx. 30 minutes), then a ferry in the afternoon or evening (approx. 1 hour) to Oban.
An afternoon ferry is added from December onwards; other periods only have morning and evening services.
Stay: Oban (Halfmoon Bay)
Day 3 · Ulva Island and Night Kiwi Tour
Stewart Island (Rakiura)（Golden Bay & Paterson Inlet、Ulva Island (Te Wharawhara)、Wild Kiwi Spotting Tour (Ocean Beach)）
Take a water taxi from Golden Bay Wharf (approx. 10 minutes) to Ulva Island, return after a half-day, and join a guided tour at night.
Kiwi tours sell out far in advance in summer; book this first before arranging other activities.
Stay: Oban (Halfmoon Bay)
Day 4 · Coastal Walk and Departure
Stewart Island (Rakiura)（Ackers Point Track、Observation Rock）
Walk to the viewpoint in the morning, take the ferry back to Bluff in the afternoon (approx. 1 hour), and take a shuttle to the airport.