The BIRDING BONANZA package is the ultimate bird watching and nature experience on Stewart Island! See one of New Zealand's iconic kiwi species in the wild plus rare and endangered land and seabirds with our combined full day Birding Classic and evening kiwi spotting spread across Monday evening and full day Tuesday.

MONDAY evening kiwi spotting departs:  OBAN TOWNSHIP after sunset, duration 2-3 hours. Time and location advised when you contact us to re confirm your booking.
TUESDAY full day Birding Classic departs:  GOLDEN BAY WHARF at 8.30am, duration 7 hours.
It's possible to do this tour with a one night stay at Stewart Island but it makes for a very long day and we recommend you spend at least two nights in paradise.
What happens on the day: see individual tour descriptions for evening kiwi spotting and full day Birding Classic for details.
Price includes: return vehicle transfer from Oban township to Mamaku Point Conservation Reserve, specialist kiwi guide, water taxi to Ulva Island, specialist natural history/bird watching guide at Ulva Island, 3-hour boat charter, Department of Conservation concession fees where applicable, donation to Mamaku Point Conservation Trust where applicable and tax.
Operates: MONDAY evening and TUESDAY between October to April except 1st January, 5th November, 25th Dec & 31st December.  Other departures may be available, please contact us for details.

prior booking essential

Adult: $435

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.

We begin with Monday evening kiwi spotting at Mamaku Point Conservation Reserve. Previous experience has taught us that kiwi spotting the first night you're here is advisable so that there are other opportunities during your visit if the weather isn't suitable. We meet after sunset in the Oban township for pre-tour briefing and make the short road journey to Mamaku Point Conservation Reserve.  Read full description of the evening kiwi spotting tour.

Tuesday morning our full day Birding Classic kicks off with a half day Beautiful Birding & Botany Ulva Island guided walk with one of our exceptional local guides followed by a seabird watching boat excursion.

Birds you will likely see during the day include South Island Saddleback, Stewart Island Weka, NZ Pigeon/Kereru, South Island Kaka, Yellow- and Red-crown Parakeet (Kakariki), Morepork, Rifleman, New Zealand Fantail, South Island Tomtit, Stewart Island Robin, Yellowhead (Mohoua), Brown Creeper, Grey Warbler, New Zealand Bellbird, Tui, 4 species of albatross, 2-3 species of penguin (depending on time of year), shearwaters, petrels and terns. Even on a good day we recommend you bring wet weather gear.  ​Read full description of the full day Birding Classic tour.

Typical group size is 4-6 but this may not always be possible. Private tours available, please ask! 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?
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 and Mamaku Point Conservation Trust.
Read more about the Ulva Island Charitable Trust.
Read more about the Mamaku Point Conservation Trust.

This tour is suitable for:

• Bird watchers & listers
• Nature lovers
• Couples, singles, 15+ yrs

Level of fitness required:

• a good level of fitness and agility is essential due to the challenging terrain encountered, including ​muddy/wet tracks, uneven ground, gradients, native bush, sandy beach, steps between wharf and water taxi and steps at Ulva Island;
• kiwi spotting takes place in the dark - this, combined with challenges listed above means the tour is not suitable for those with visual impairment or walking difficulties;
• we walk for 3.5 hours at Ulva Island and 2 hours kiwi spotting;
• ​if you suffer with motion/sea sickness this is not the tour for you!