Stewart Island Village & Bays Tour

Stewart Island Village & Bays Tour Book now

Comfortable transport Modern Mini Bus Book now

Discover Rakiura's secrets Local Guides Book now

Lee Bay & Observation Rock Rakiura Highlights Book now

A couple smiling on village and bays coach

Suitable for all ages Family-Friendly Book now

Home / Experiences / Nature Expe… / Stewart Island Village & Bays Tours

Discover the captivating charm of New Zealand’s southernmost community with a guided journey through the rich history and natural beauty of Stewart Island.

Unspoiled, incredibly beautiful, and steeped in stories, Stewart Island (known as Rakiura – glowing skies - by Maori) is well worth this informative introduction. Join our friendly local guides on a comfortable mini-bus tour as they share their in-depth knowledge of the island’s unique environment and heritage. With plenty of opportunities to step off the bus for short walks and photo stops, you’ll fully immerse yourself in the wonders of this remarkable place. Tour highlights include a visit to Lee Bay (the gateway to the Rakiura National Park) and Observation Rock, which has stunning views of Paterson Inlet.

Key Details:

Modern mini bus for a relaxed ride
Departs from Oban Visitor Centre
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Suitable for all ages

Book now

Explore Oban and the surrounding bays in our modern mini-buses. Our guides enjoy sharing their local knowledge of the history and environment of Stewart Island.

Departure Location

Oban Visitor Centre, 12 Elgin Terrace, Stewart Island

What to bring

Comfortable walking shoes/boots
Waterproof jacket
Warm sweater/fleece jacket
Sunscreen/sunglasses
Insect repellent
Camera
Personal medication including for asthma and allergies

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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.

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What time do we need to check in?

For visitors travelling on the Stewart Island Ferry Service, you are required to check in 30 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time (to allow for luggage loading, etc). The check in and boarding gates are closed 10 minutes prior to scheduled ferry departure. For all our cruises and tours, check in is required 20 minutes prior to the schedule departure.

What other activities and sightseeing are available?

There are a huge range of activities available on Stewart Island, from kayaking, fishing trips, golf, walking tracks and more. To find out more information and to make bookings, we operate the Oban Visitor Centre. The Department of Conservation (DoC) also operates a Visitor Information Centre and can provide more information on walking tracks and activities.

Is Stewart Island worthwhile for a day trip?

Yes, there are many activities you can fit into one day on Stewart Island. Ask our reservations team for suggested itineraries.

What sort of shopping can I do on Stewart Island?

Stewart Island is not the place for a shopping spree as there is a very small range of shops - from small gift shops with locally produced items to the general store for groceries and fresh food.

Online transactions/prices are conducted in what currency?

All prices and transactions on the RealNZ website are in New Zealand dollars (NZD). This is specified on the Terms & Conditions page.

What happens if there is an emergency?

Our staff are trained to deal with incidents and in case of an emergency you should listen to their instructions.
We have a portable defibrillator on each of our overnight cruise vessels (Milford Mariner, Milford Wanderer and Fiordland Navigator).
In addition to this we also have portable defibrillators at the following locations:
•    Milford Sound Visitor Terminal
•    RealNZ Visitor Centre, Manapouri
•    Cavern House (Te Anau Glowworm Caves)
•    Colonel’s Homestead Restaurant, Walter Peak
•    TSS Earnslaw Vintage Steamship
•    Stewart Island Ferry (Bluff - Oban - Bluff)