STEWART ISLAND
Calling Code: +64 3
27kms south of Invercargill across Foveaux Strait from
Bluff, Stewart island is one of NZ's best kept secrets. the only
township is Oban, on the shores
of Halfmoon Bay. Most of the island has dense cover of native
bush, rain forest, sand dunes and wetlands and is uninhabited.
The 750km of indented coastline has many sheltered bays and beaches,
with numerous off shore islets. Mt Anglem at 980m is the highest
point. It is home to a variety of native birds including the brown
spotted kiwi.
NZ's 3rd island is roughly triangular in shape, being 65km long and 40km at its widest. A total of 172000ha 425000ac. The
climate has an average summer temp of 15 and an average of 9 in winter. rain falls on many days.
The island is rich in history with the early Polynesians calling the island - rakiura or land of the glowing skies. sunrise and sunsets can be impressive. the main industry for the population of just under 500 people is commercial fishing and tourism.
Tramping tracks spread out from Halfmoon
Bay and there are huts placed through out the north and western areas. Bushwalks
from 30min to half a day will take you the various points of historic and scenic interest around.
If there's a place you've stayed or something you've done, but we haven't listed, review it for us!
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