half day highlights  Robins and roadies Ulva Island & Stewart Island combo $130pp

This tour combines our glimpse of paradise short tour of Ulva Island Bird Sanctuary with a Stewart Island mini road tour. Glorious beaches and scenery to delight you during the drive to the stylised chain link sculpture that heralds the entrance to Rakiura National Park.

Duration:  3.5 to 4 hours
Departs:    OBAN TOWNSHIP 10.15am or 11.00am
What happens on the day: please meet our guide in the OBAN TOWNSHIP. Time and location advised once we know your arrival details.

• For flight arrivals between 8.00am-9.30am we offer a 10.15am Oban township pickup, mini road tour and short tour of Ulva Island bird sanctuary, ending in the Oban township approximately 2.15pm to fit with ferry or flight departures 3.00pm or later.
• For ferry or flight arrivals between 9.30am-10.45am we offer an 11.00am Oban township pickup, short tour of Ulva Island bird sanctuary, mini road tour, ending in the Oban township approximately 3.00pm to fit with ferry or flight departures 3.30pm or later.

Price includes: return vehicle transfer between Oban township and Golden Bay Wharf, return water taxi between Stewart Island and Ulva Island, mini road tour, 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: $130     Child: $70

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.

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Experience a glimpse of paradise short tour of Ulva Island Bird Sanctuary with one of our exceptional local guides. Stroll 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 tour 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.

After our walk through lush native forest we head back across Paterson Inlet by water taxi to Golden Bay Wharf to begin a mini road tour, taking in the glorious landscapes on the way to the entrance of Rakiura National Park and the stylised chain link sculpture. This steel sculpture was created by the late Russell Beck and symbolises the mythological link between the anchor stone (Rakiura Stewart Island) and Te Waka a Māui (the South Island) the canoe or vessel of Māui.

Tour begins and ends in the Oban township and is perfect for day trippers or those short of time. We offer a choice of two morning departures to fit with most mainland flight/ferry arrival and departure times.

Typical group size is 2-6. Private options are not available for this tour. Instead we recommend a private road tour with the excellent Aurora Cab Co (please ask us for details) and private tours can be arranged for our glimpse of paradise short tour of Ulva Island Bird Sanctuary or Beautiful Birding & Botany half day Ulva Island guided walk.

This tour is suitable for:​​

• 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.

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!

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