Last weekend, I had the opportunity to travel down to Stewart Island. Stewart Island is a nearly predator-free island off the southernmost coast of the South Island. Most of the island is part of the Rakiura National Park, with many trails going all over the island. While I didn’t have enough time to explore all these trails, I did get to hike some lovely ones and captured some amazing shots of the island.
The one town on Stewart Island is Oban, which sits on Half Moon Bay. The population is around 300, and roughly another 100 live outside of town, making the entire population of the island around 400. This gives the entire island a relaxed, causal vibe, and it’s great for an out-of-the-way spot to enjoy some premium New Zealand nature.
Because of the effort to make Stewart Island predator-free, many birds and other wildlife flourish here. I was able to see some wild kiwis during my after-dark rambles through the wood trails just outside of town. I did not get any photos of them (pics or it didn’t happen, I know), as my camera can only take night photos if it’s on a tripod, and I didn’t have it with me on the night hikes.
I did take it up to Observation Point, which is a lovely deck that overlooks the island. It’s a fantastic spot for star-gazing, and though I didn’t know it, July is one of the best times to view the Milky Way Galaxy. Set up with my tripod and long exposure, I got some excellent shots of the galaxy. It was the brightest I’ve ever seen it, and so easy to spot, with just the naked eye.
I was also able to explore many of the beaches on Stewart Island. One particularly well-known one is Māori Beach, which is about a 5.5-mile hike from the town of Oban. The trail goes along the coast, offering incredible views of the rocky coasts and wide open ocean, which is a pristine, clear blue. The woods are teaming with birds and wildlife, and I heard many different birdsongs high above me in the forest canopy.
I stopped at every little beach along the way to explore and admire the seashells. Collecting seashells within the national park is restricted, so be careful if you collect any from the beaches inside the park. I did my collecting outside, on some beaches nearer the town, as I like to be extra careful of nature in the national parks. One very good beach for seashells outside the park is Horseshoe Bay Beach, which isn’t far from Oban. There were thousands of shells there, offering up a wide array of different kinds. It’s good to keep in mind that when you are collecting to pick empty shells, you should look carefully inside to make sure it isn’t a creature’s home!
The little town of Oban also boasts a museum with the history of the island, as well as a national park center. There are many tours to take with various local businesses to see kiwis, southern lights, and many other things. There is a seemingly endless supply of adventurous things to do here, and during my three-night stay, I only did a fraction of them. It’s a place I’d definitely want to come back to, and though it’s out of the way and off the beaten track, Stewart Island is truly a New Zealand gem!
Hannah Major, Grove City College, is interning abroad in Auckland with TEAN.
