Stewart Island Experience

Home (July 9th)

If departing from Whanganui, meet at the Whanganui Racecourse for a 7:45am departure and travel to Palmerston North Airport to catch our 10am flight to Invercargill with a short tranzit in Christchurch.

Departing from another destination

For those departing from another destination we will arrange for you to meet the group in Invercargill or Christchurch depending on your location.

Invercargill (July 10th)

Please note this is a general guide only, all itineraries are subject to change based on weather conditions and crew judgment. In addition to below, there is also lots of cruising, and extra kayaking or walking where time allows! Plus chances to go and spot kiwi in the evenings!

On day 2, we meet for breakfast at the hotel before we get collected approx 9am by coach and transferred to Bluff to take the express catamaran across Foveaux Strait (9.45am departure from Bluff, arriving at Halfmoon Bay 10.45 am), where you will board the Milford Wanderer and cruise to Port Adventure. Lunch will be served on the vessel and you’ll have a chance to get familiar with your crew and settle into life on-board the mighty Milford Wanderer.

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Port Adveture (July 11th)

After breakfast, we will cruise a three-hour sea passage to Port Pegasus. Once we arrive in Port Pegasus we will have time for kayaking and or a walk to the lookout above Evening Cove. Or just simply relax on-board.

Our guides accompany us on all excursions informing us on everything your eyes can see. Their knowledge of our surroundings is truly amazing and you’ll be so impressed with the information they share and the tales they tell.

Accommodation: Onboard Milford Wanderer 

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Port Pegasus (July 12th)

Rise for another scrummy breakfast and get set for a day out exploring.

Activities around Port Pegasus include a morning walk up the impressive granite peak of Bald Cone and a walk to Broad Bay or Small Craft Harbour in the afternoon. As always lunch and dinner will be on-board.

Accommodation: Onboard Milford Wanderer

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Port Pegasus (July 13th)

After another superb breakfast and a peaceful nights rest we visit the old 1800s fishing base at North Pegasus and the Belltopper falls. 

Enjoy another quality lunch and then relax and enjoy the Wanderer on our  six-hour sea passage to Paterson Inlet in the afternoon. Bring a good book or enjoy a board game or cards with your friends onboard while cruising before we settle in for another great dinner and social time with your peers.

Accommodation: Onboard Milford Wanderer

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Paterson Inlet (July 14th)

After breakfast you will visit Ulva Island bird sanctuary, this is a highlight of Stewart Island for many people. Keep your eyes and ears open as you may well see and hear Saddlebacks, Tuis, Bellbirds, Stewart Island Robins, Kiwis, Kakas and Keas.  

Ulva Goodwillie, the owner of the company who we deal with (she may not be your guide) is named after the Island, she is a direct descendant of the first Maori settlers of Stewart Island. She is passionate and very knowledgeable about this special place and would love to share it with you... her or one of her highly trained guides provide you with a unique experience, learning about native flora and fauna from a local Stewart Island perspective. Another fascinating afternoon in-store as we visit the historic Norwegian whaling station in Prices Inlet and or kayak Kaipipi Bay.

Accommodation: Onboard Milford Wanderer

Paterson Inlet (July 15th)

As today is our last day onboard the Milford Wanderer we reflect on the adventures we have shared over breakfast and then you have the option to walk from Golden Bay across to Halfmoon Bay and Oban township. 

Invercargill (July 16th)

We rise for a hearty breakfast and then will be transferred to Invercargill airport to catch our 10:40am flight back to Palmerston North once again having a brief stop in Christchurch.