Stewart Island and the Catlins

Joanne writes: “One of our other trips was to Stewart Island. It has around 400 residents. You can take a helicopter but we took the catamaran that sails from the Bluff, not far from Invercargill. It was like a bucking bronco and I was sick! But it only took an hour and isn’t always that bad. We pre-booked a delightful one-bedroomed cottage – Pilgrim’s Cottage – for one night overlooking the bay. It cost about $120. Contact details are Phillip & Diane Smith, PO Box 104 Stewart Island 9846. Tel: +64-3-219 1144. philldismith@xtra.co.nz

Rustic interior

“There’s lots of walking, kayaking, and bird watching. If you’re not into outdoors, then a day there would be just fine. There are some wonderful little beaches and simple walks just out of the village of Oban. Take a coat. We forgot – the heavens opened and we had to buy one but we still had a super day. There was a notice board with jobs pinned to it – quite tempting!

Telephone tree - you can make a trunk call!

One of the many bays. Stewart Island

“We went home via the Catlins – a pretty part of the country. Some nice waterfalls with wonderful forested walks to them and lots of frantic beaches since the wind was strong. Judging by the number of bunkhouses in this area, we thought we’d see a lot of backpackers but I suppose they were off the beaten track.”

You can easily reach the evening ferry for Stewart Island in a day, driving from Waipori Falls Village, taking the N1 to Invercargill. One can turn off at Balclutha to drive via the scenic, or tourist route that goes through Owaka and the Catlins – but be sure to allow sufficient time to make the ferry: distances are longer than one realises! It might be a good idea to spend the night in Owaka, a pretty town, small, with a couple of restaurants. The Catlin area has many delightful forest walks to secluded waterfalls.


Beach at Owaka	South of Owaka

Elm Wildlife Tours

This multi-award winning tourism company is located in Dunedin and offers unrivalled natural and wildlife experiences around the Otago Peninsula and southeastern coast for visitors keen to enjoy some of the most spectacular wildlife spots in the country.