"We saw multiple species of native wildlife, including the yellow eyed penguin and two kiwi. The tour guides were very nice and kind. I would recommend this tour if you want to give yourself the best shot at spotting a kiwi, and possibly a yellow eyed penguin"
Departs the Visitor Terminal in Oban · cruise and guided walk at nightfall · up to 10 people · 4 hours · from $121
Stewart Island/Rakiura: Kiwi at Dusk, Ulva Island, Oban
Stewart Island/Rakiura is an hour by ferry from Bluff, and most of it is national park. Here is how its tours fit together: the ferry, the village, Ulva Island, and RealNZ's evening walk in search of wild kiwi, rated 4.7 from 200 reviews.
From
$121
per person
Free cancellation
- 4.7 / 5 200 reviews
- 4 hours Oban, From Dusk Into Night
- 85% Of the Island Is National Park (DOC)
- Free Cancellation
The Experience
What the Wild Kiwi Evening Includes
In RealNZ's own words: the cruise, the guided walk, a torch and hot drinks. Accommodation is not included, and you will need it that night.
In the Operator's Own Words
- Guided native forest walk searching for wild tokoeka (Kiwi)
- Return sea cruise departing from central location in Oban
- Look out for marine life as the sun sets over the islands
- Complimentary hot drinks and biscuits
- Knowledgeable nature guides share their expertise on local wildlife and history
What's Included
- Round-trip cruise
- Guided nature walk with specialist guide
- Torch/flashlight
- Complimentary cocoa, tea and coffee
Good to know: Due to late return to Oban, you will need pre-arranged accommodation for that evening · Not suitable for anyone struggling to walk independently for more than 1.5 km along uneven ground · Departures are weather dependent, if the trip is cancelled by the operator guests can choose between a full refund or move trip to another date · Kiwis are wild and unpredictable, there is no 100% guarantee they will appear · Not suitable for: Children under 15 years, Wheelchair users · Not Included: Accommodation
How the Wild Kiwi Evening Works
Four steps, from booking a bed in Oban to the cruise back after dark.
Get to Oban and Book a Bed
The tour departs from the Visitor Terminal in Oban on Stewart Island, not from Bluff, so you need to cross first. It returns to Oban late, and the listing says you will need accommodation arranged for that evening; accommodation is not included.
Cruise Out as Day Turns to Night
Arrive 20 minutes before the start. The trip begins about 1.5 hours before nightfall with a cruise around Stewart Island's neighbouring islands, where the listing says you may spot albatross, titi (mutton bird), penguins and New Zealand fur seals.
A Guided Walk in Search of Kiwi
At Little Glory Cove you go ashore for a guided evening walk through coastal forest and along a sandy beach, with a torch provided; a second option walks Oneke, The Neck. Total walking is about two hours on uneven, sometimes muddy track. The operator says there is no 100% guarantee kiwi will appear.
Hot Drinks and the Cruise Back
Cocoa, tea and coffee are included, and the boat brings you back to Oban after dark. If no kiwi is seen there is no refund; instead RealNZ donates $20 per person to conservation projects at Little Glory Cove. Departures are weather dependent.
Photo Gallery
Stewart Island in Photos
Photos from RealNZ's own listing on the booking platform.
Book Your Experience
Check Availability & Prices
Select your preferred date and time. The listing's terms: Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Three Ways to Spend Time on Rakiura
The evening kiwi walk, Ulva Island by day and the village and bays tour, compared from each RealNZ listing: where they start, how long they take, what is included and who they suit. All three start in or near Oban.
| Feature | OUR PICK Rakiura Wild Kiwi Experiences (RealNZ) | Ulva Island Walk and Cruise (RealNZ) | Rakiura Village and Bays Tour (RealNZ) |
|---|---|---|---|
| What You Pay | From about $121 per person | From about $101 per person | From about $37 per person |
| Rating | 4.7 / 5 from 200 reviews | 4.6 / 5 from 185 reviews | 4.8 / 5 from 159 reviews |
| Length | 4 hours, starting about 1.5 hours before nightfall | 2.5 hours, with a guided walk of about 1.5 hours | 1.5 hours |
| Start Point | Visitor Terminal in Oban (not Bluff); arrive 20 minutes before | Stewart Island Visitor Terminal, Main Wharf, Halfmoon Bay; arrive 20 minutes before | The Red Shed, Oban Visitor Centre, 12 Elgin Terrace; arrive 15 minutes before |
| What Is Included | Round-trip cruise, guided nature walk, torch, cocoa, tea and coffee | Cruise of Paterson Inlet, guided walk in the Ulva Island sanctuary, specialist nature guide | Minibus tour of Oban and the bays with a local guide |
| Wildlife | A search for the Southern brown kiwi; the operator says there is no 100% guarantee they will appear | The listing names weka, bush robins, saddlebacks and yellowheads, and says to look out for seals and penguins | Not a wildlife tour; stops at the Lee Bay park entrance and Observation Rock |
| Walking | About two hours in total on uneven, sometimes muddy track; not for anyone who struggles to walk 1.5 km on uneven ground | A forest and beach walk on the island | Photo stops and short walks from the bus |
| Not Suitable For | Children under 15 and wheelchair users | None listed | None listed |
| Good to Know | Returns late; book accommodation in Oban for that night. No refund if no kiwi is seen; $20 per person goes to conservation instead | Check your bags and shoes for rats and seeds before landing, as DOC asks | Bring a waterproof jacket, walking shoes and insect repellent |
| Best For | A guided search for wild kiwi at nightfall, in a group of up to 10 | Forest birds by daylight and a cruise of Paterson Inlet | A short, low-priced introduction, or anyone who would rather not walk far |
| Check Availability | See the Ulva Island Trip | See the Village Tour |
Four More Stewart Island Trips
Other Ways to See Rakiura
Ulva Island by day, a minibus round the village and bays, the ferry from Bluff, and a day by air from Queenstown. Titles are the operators' own; prices are the booking platform's.
ULVA ISLAND BIRD SANCTUARYStewart Island: Ulva Island Guided Wilderness Walk & Cruise
A cruise of Paterson Inlet from the Main Wharf at Halfmoon Bay, Oban, with a guided walk of about 1.5 hours in the Ulva Island Wildlife Sanctuary led by a specialist nature guide.
1.5 H BY MINIBUS, LOWEST PRICEStewart Island: Rakiura Village and Bays Tour
A minibus tour from the Red Shed visitor centre in Oban with a local guide, round the village and bays to the Rakiura National Park entrance at Lee Bay and Observation Rock.
THE 1-HOUR FERRY FROM BLUFFStewart Island: Ferry Service Between Bluff & Stewart Island
The one-hour catamaran across Foveaux Strait between Bluff and Oban, sailing daily all year, with commentary, tea and coffee, wheelchair access and two bags per person.
BY AIR FROM QUEENSTOWNQueenstown: Day Trip to Stewart Island via Scenic Flight
A day by air from Queenstown Airport: transfers, a return scenic flight, airstrip transfers to Oban and about 5 hours on Stewart Island to plan yourself, with a window seat.
Choosing a Stewart Island Trip
How Do You Spend a Day or Two on Rakiura?
What the island is, how you get there, how the five tours fit together, the weather, and who each one suits.
Stewart Island/Rakiura has the fewest bookable tours of any place on this site. In GetYourGuide’s catalogue in October 2026 it had 7 tours and 846 reviews, against 336 tours and 40,459 reviews for Queenstown. What it offers is birdlife, and the chance to see a wild kiwi. Our pick is RealNZ’s Rakiura Wild Kiwi Experiences, from $121 and rated 4.7 from 200 reviews: a cruise from Oban at dusk and a guided walk in the dark, for up to 10 people.
See dates for the wild kiwi evening →
What Rakiura is
The Department of Conservation (DOC) says Rakiura National Park covers 157,000 ha, 85% of Stewart Island/Rakiura, and was established in 2002. It describes the island as remarkable for its almost complete cover of natural vegetation and its rich birdlife. Oban, the village on Halfmoon Bay, is where the ferry lands and where every tour on this page starts or ends.
Ulva Island/Te Wharawhara sits in Paterson Inlet, reached by boat from Halfmoon Bay or Golden Bay. DOC runs it as an open sanctuary, kept free of rats, and asks visitors to check their bags and footwear for rats and seeds before they land. RealNZ’s Ulva Island listing names weka, bush robins, saddlebacks and yellowheads among the birds there.
Getting there
DOC gives two ways across: a 20-minute flight from Invercargill Airport, or a one-hour ferry from Bluff. RealNZ runs the ferry across Foveaux Strait, the seaway between the South Island and Stewart Island, by express catamaran, with daily sailings all year on its listing. Its own planning guide warns that the strait can be rough, particularly in winter, and recommends booking ahead in school holidays and peak season. The ferry listing allows two bags per person; more baggage must be arranged in advance, and parking at the Bluff Visitor Terminal is charged.
One guest from New Zealand wrote: “Super rough crossing. Amazing experience. Very skilled Skipper”. Another, from the United Kingdom, noted: “we were delayed owing to the weather.”
Glenorchy Air also sells a day by air from Queenstown, with about 5 hours of free time on the island. Its listing says any activities on Stewart Island are booked separately, between 10:45am and 3:30pm, so the evening kiwi walk does not fit that day.
The tours compared
| Tour | From | Rating (reviews) | Length | What’s included | Start point |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RealNZ Rakiura Wild Kiwi Experiences | $121 | 4.7 (200) | 4 h | Round-trip cruise, guided walk, torch, cocoa, tea and coffee | Visitor Terminal, Oban |
| RealNZ Ulva Island walk and cruise | $101 | 4.6 (185) | 2.5 h | Paterson Inlet cruise, guided walk in the Ulva Island sanctuary, nature guide | Visitor Terminal, Main Wharf, Halfmoon Bay |
| RealNZ Rakiura Village and Bays Tour | $37 | 4.8 (159) | 1.5 h | Minibus tour with a local guide | The Red Shed, 12 Elgin Terrace, Oban |
| RealNZ ferry, Bluff and Stewart Island | $78 | 4.6 (288) | 1 h | Tea and coffee, two bags per person, wheelchair access, commentary | Bluff or Oban |
| Glenorchy Air day trip by scenic flight | $539 | 5.0 (5) | 8 h | Queenstown transfers, return flight, about 5 hours on the island, airstrip to Oban transfers, window seat | Glenorchy Air desk, Queenstown Airport |
Prices, ratings and review counts from our October 2026 data check; operators use seasonal pricing, so treat them as the shape of the market, not a quote.
The kiwi evening. RealNZ says its guides give you a higher chance of finding kiwi but that “there is no 100% guarantee they will appear”, and there is no refund if none do. Recent reviews report sightings. A guest from the Netherlands wrote: “We saw multiple species of native wildlife, including the yellow eyed penguin and two kiwi.” It is not suitable for children under 15 or wheelchair users, or for anyone who struggles to walk more than 1.5 km on uneven ground.
Ulva Island. The 2.5-hour trip cruises Paterson Inlet, with stories of Maori history and European settlement, then lands for a guided walk of about 1.5 hours. A guest from New Zealand called it “A gentle walk through amazing bush and coastal area.”
The village and bays. At 1.5 hours and from $37, the minibus tour goes round Oban and the bays, with stops at the Rakiura National Park entrance at Lee Bay, Halfmoon and Horseshoe Bays, and Observation Rock over Paterson Inlet. A guest from New Zealand said it is “especially good if you have some mobility issues”.
Book by what you came for:
Kiwi at nightfall
Stewart Island: Rakiura Wild Kiwi Experiences
A cruise from Oban at dusk, a guided walk in the dark for up to 10 people, a torch and hot drinks. No sighting is promised.
Check dates →Birds by day
Stewart Island: Ulva Island Guided Wilderness Walk & Cruise
A Paterson Inlet cruise and a guided walk of about 1.5 hours in the Ulva Island sanctuary, from the Halfmoon Bay wharf.
See this tour →Getting there
Stewart Island: Ferry Service Between Bluff & Stewart Island
A one-hour catamaran across Foveaux Strait with commentary, tea and coffee, and two bags per person.
See this tour →Season and weather
The ferry runs all year, and so do the tours, but the weather decides. DOC warns that southern weather can turn wild, wet and windy at any time of the year. The village tour listing says the weather can be unpredictable, and the kiwi listing says departures are weather dependent: if the operator cancels, you choose a full refund or another date. The three island tours ask for a waterproof jacket, warm layers, sturdy shoes and insect repellent. The kiwi walk starts about 1.5 hours before nightfall, so its start time moves with the season.
Who it suits
Stewart Island suits people with at least one night to spare in the far south. With one night, the ferry, the kiwi evening and a morning on Ulva Island can fit together if the departure times line up; the village tour is the short, easy option for arrival afternoon or for anyone who would rather not walk far. The Queenstown flight suits people who want to see the island in a day and are happy to plan their own time there.
From Stewart Island, Fiordland is the next quiet stop: Doubtful Sound starts from Manapouri, which Tourism New Zealand puts about 2 hours from Invercargill along the Southern Scenic Route. Our South Island hidden gems itinerary links the places on this site, and quieter alternatives to Queenstown and Milford Sound shows where else the crowds thin out. For more wildlife, Akaroa has dolphin cruises and penguin evenings near Christchurch.
Guest Reviews
What Guests Say
4.7/5
from 200 verified guests
"Super nice. We were a small group and saw wonderful albatrosses and seals 🦭. We also spotted a penguin. The highlight was, of course, the hunt through the bush in search of kiwis. The first time, I was so surprised at how big and confident it suddenly stood in front of me that I couldn't even take a picture... On the beach, the stars and satellites were great and beautiful to see. And then a kiwi came to the beach and ate in peace. We were able to watch and observe for 20 minutes 👀"
"Absolutely recommended. Our guides went to great lengths to ensure that we could see kiwis. The highlight was then 4 kiwis in the immediate vicinity, one even pecked at my husband's shoe. Thanks to everyone!"
"The best excursion of my life! An absolutely brilliant tour, top guides, and beautiful wildlife that we marveled at! We saw albatrosses, seals, sea lions, the rarest penguin in the world, and even a kiwi on the beach! Simply awesome, a must-do!"
"Brilliant! Our guides expertly found a large female Kiwi that was around us for 45 minutes."
"Was an amazing experience! Saw 3 wild kiwis! The skipper and the guides were so lovely and knowledgable. Would highly recommend!"
"Amazing couldn’t have asked for better guides our experience was amazing, a kiwi in the bush the entire group got to experience and again on the beach. Plenty of time to video and just watch these birds."
"It was a wonderful night. We spotted penguins, fur seals, sea lions, and albatross while on the ferry boat, while our guides, Charles and Jen, explained so much history of the area. Then we successfully saw 2 Kiwis on a fun walk in the dark. To end the night, the ferry stopped mid way back for us to watch the lunar eclipse. Highly recommend!"
Read all 200 verified reviews
See All ReviewsBook the Rakiura Wild Kiwi Evening
A cruise from Oban as the light goes, then a guided walk through coastal forest and along a beach in search of the Southern brown kiwi, with a torch and hot drinks provided. Up to 10 people, rated 4.7 by 200 guests on the booking platform. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Starting from $121 per person.
Check Availability & BookCan't Make These Dates?
Browse More Available Options
More tours here from the booking platform. Each listing states its own cancellation terms.
Stewart Island FAQ
The questions people ask before booking Stewart Island/Rakiura, answered in the first sentence. Tour details come from each operator's listing; park and travel facts from the Department of Conservation (DOC).
By a one-hour ferry from Bluff or a 20-minute flight from Invercargill. Those are DOC's figures. RealNZ's ferry crosses Foveaux Strait daily all year by catamaran, and its planning guide warns the strait can be rough, particularly in winter. See the Bluff ferry.
It is possible, but nobody can promise it. RealNZ says kiwi are wild and unpredictable and "there is no 100% guarantee they will appear"; its guides improve your chances, and if none are seen it donates $20 per person to conservation instead of a refund. Recent guests report seeing them. The wild kiwi evening is the guided option.
Yes: it returns to Oban late, and you need accommodation booked for that night. The tour departs from the Visitor Terminal in Oban, not Bluff, and starts about 1.5 hours before nightfall. Accommodation is not included. Check dates for the kiwi evening.
85%: Rakiura National Park covers 157,000 ha of the island. DOC says the park was established in 2002 and that the island has an almost complete cover of natural vegetation. The village and bays tour stops at the park entrance at Lee Bay.
An open bird sanctuary in Paterson Inlet, kept free of rats, reached by boat. DOC asks visitors to check bags, kayaks and footwear for rats and seeds before landing. RealNZ's listing names weka, bush robins, saddlebacks and yellowheads among its birds. See the Ulva Island walk and cruise.
Yes, by air: Glenorchy Air's 8-hour trip gives you about 5 hours on the island. It includes Queenstown transfers, the return flight, a window seat for each passenger and transfers from the airstrip to Oban. Activities on the island are booked separately, between 10:45am and 3:30pm. See the day trip by scenic flight.
Changeable at any time of year. DOC warns that southern weather can turn wild, wet and windy in any season. The kiwi tour is weather dependent; if the operator cancels, you choose a full refund or another date. The listings ask for a waterproof jacket, warm layers and sturdy shoes. Our South Island itinerary shows where Rakiura fits.
Yes: the Rakiura Village and Bays Tour is 1.5 hours by minibus, from $37. It goes round Oban, Halfmoon and Horseshoe Bays and Observation Rock with a local guide, with photo stops and short walks. A guest from New Zealand said it is "especially good if you have some mobility issues". See the village and bays tour.
Still have questions? Email us at info@southislandhiddengems.com