Ulva's Guided Walks, glimpse of paradise - a short tour of Ulva Island Bird Sanctuary, Stewart Island, New Zealand.

a glimpse of paradise short tour of Ulva Island bird sanctuary $99pp

Duration: 2.5 hours
Departs: 11.15am
What happens on the day: unless you've been advised otherwise please meet our guide at GOLDEN BAY WHARF ten minutes prior to departure time where we board a water taxi for the 7-minute ride across Paterson Inlet to Ulva Island Bird Sanctuary. After our wonderful walk through lush native forest we board the water taxi back across Paterson Inlet to GOLDEN BAY WHARF where the tour ends.
Price includes: return water taxi between Stewart Island and Ulva Island, our specialist natural history/bird watching guide for the duration of the tour, Department of Conservation concession fees and tax.
Operates: year round except Christmas Day.

prior booking essential

Adult: $99 Child: $60

terms & faq

to book a tour departing within the next 48 hours please call us!

Ulva's Guided Walks takes the wellbeing of clients, guides and boat skippers seriously. If we believe the tour poses a risk to anyone they may be asked to leave the tour.

BOOK NOW

Come with us to the pristine primeval paradise that is Ulva Island Bird Sanctuary.

Experience Ulva Island with one of our exceptional local guides. Walk through ancient forest; marvel at the tree canopy above and Stewart Island Robins at your feet. Ulva Island is home to many rare birds and plants that thrive thanks to its predator-free status. From the striking black and tan Saddleback to the stunning Yellowhead (found only in the south) and inquisitive Weka, this glimpse of paradise short tour of Ulva Island bird sanctuary will get you close to nature, New Zealand style!

You are welcome to bring nibbles and a drink to sip as we walk but please take rubbish away with you. This tour is perfect for day trippers or those short of time. Timings fit with most mainland flight/ferry arrival & departure times.

Typical group size is 2-6. Private tours available, please ask!
If a group tour is not your thing please get in touch - we can usually work something out and we don't bite! We try to accommodate everybody's needs within a group but a private tour offers greater flexibility if you have particular needs. Perhaps a certain bird or plant species for your list or photographic library? You've had recent surgery? Maybe you/your child have particular needs?
Please let us know - we can help you to enjoy your experience if we know well in advance.

... and finally, THANK YOU!

By choosing Ulva's Guided Walks you help us to support Gadget, the only rodent detector dog in the south of New Zealand. Detector Gadget is part of the Conservation Dogs Programme and helps us to keep Ulva Island free of introduced pests and predators. Find out what Detector Gadget has been up to lately!

You also help us to support the Ulva Island Charitable Trust who work together with the Department of Conservation towards the further restoration of Ulva Island, and keep Ulva Island free of introduced pests and predators so that native plants and birds can thrive.

This tour is suitable for:

Bird watchers
Botanists
Nature lovers
Those short of time or on a day trip to Stewart Island
Families*, couples, singles

Level of fitness required:

physically agile and able to walk unassisted;
able to manage steps between the wharf and water taxi;
able to manage steps and beach walking at Ulva Island;
we walk for 2 hours.

*parents, please consider the duration of our tour and its suitability for younger members of your family. Other fare paying adults may be in the group and our tour cannot be prematurely ended if children get tired.
We want to help you to enjoy Ulva Island and a private tour offers greater flexibility for family groups or those with walking difficulties.

Walking map from Elgin Terrace to Golden Bay Wharf