There is lots to do when you visit the Island.
So much so that the Island really deserves a stay of at least three nights for even the most cursory of visits. It’s a great place to relax and recharge “Mid Holiday” and to explore at your own pace. Remember if you decide to join at us at “Sails” you will be part of a either a very small group or exclusive to you, and our Concierge Services are here to help you. . We are available on demand, to suit your timetable and the day..
Suggestion.………… Our weather can be very changeable. If you are staying at Sails Ashore or Kowhai Lane we are happy to advise on when to do things to make best use of the fine periods.. Firstly we always suggest a scenic tour of the Island roads ….. all 28k of them…..with “Sails” Scenic Tours..This is a great way to “get your bearings” and also to learn about the Island and what life here was and is like. This tour perfectly complements our “Sails” Guided Ulva Is Walks. Transfers are included for all “Sails” activities..
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Concierge Services
We want our guests to enjoy our hospitality while with us, and to get the most out of their time on the Island.
So the following are just some of the concierge services and assistance we offer………
Complementary transfers from plane and ferry on arrival and departure on the Island, but please do note if coming by ferry that wharf parking is limited, and also delays in unloading luggage from the ferry can result in significant time delays, sometimes as long as 45 minutes from arrival to collecting your luggage. So while we will pick you up we do ask that you phone us on 03 219 1151 once you have your luggage in hand.
Complimentary Transfers to and from “Sails” Guided Walks & Tours and we’ll drop you at the start of the Rakiura track.
Normally we have a two person minimum numbers requirement for our Ulva walks. However if you’re travelling on your own and staying at either Kowhai Lane or Sails Ashore we waive this requirement.
On arrival an introductory “mini tour” around the village, pointing out businesses and places of interest so you can get your bearings.
When you arrive for Kowhai Lane and want to stop at the local shop for any provisions we are happy to wait.
We will give you a complimentary Dept of Conservation (DoC) local walks pamphlet plus a village and environs map and discuss the best options with you.
We also give you a 7 day weather map which will help you plan your activities around our sometimes changeable weather.
Resumed !!!
Air New Zealand has resumed direct flights, Auckland to Invercargill
Check their website for details
Stewart Island Flights has a connection departing Invercargill 1330.
So it's now even easier to visit Stewart Island ex Auckland. More or less straight through, no waiting
And our guests enjoy a 10% discount off the Standard Return Airfare, Invercargill to Stewart Island
Eating Out ….. We strongly suggest you use the contact details for the various restaurants under the “Eating Out” tab and make your first night dinner reservations at the least. This can be very important as with limited numbers of tables in the village it is not unknown for them to be booked out.
And we can also book a fishing trip for you. These trips are also a great way for birders to view our pelagic birds.
Booking and Advice for these Services & Activities is restricted to guests at Sails Ashore & Kowhai Lane.
Guests should also be aware that bookings made for activities and or meals comes with obligations to meet the cancellation policies of the operator or restaurant concerned.
We will accept NO liability whatsoever
With 28 k of roads, and many more of excellent walking track there are lots of opportunities for our guests to discover all sorts of things really easily.
For example we suspect someone sees a Kiwi around the village every day. Certainly we regularly hear them in the next door garden (ours is fenced, and they can’t get in !!). And we regularly see dibble holes in one of Iris’s gardens. There are organised Kiwi watch tours…. we don’t offer this service, but we do listen to our guests experiences and we are happy to assist choosing an operator. Please note this is the one activity that should be booked early.
Tui’s, Kaka, Parakeets (red crowned only), Bellbirds, Grey Warblers are everywhere, and in fact Warblers are easier seen around our house than they are on Ulva Island. Weka are about, as are Pied Tits, Fantails, MorePork (generally heard but not seen) Pigeons (Kukupa) and we are also on the hunting path of an Australasian Harrier. Little Blue Penguins nest all around our shores, and can be seen every night going in to nest. They can actually be considered something of a pest, when they choose to nest under a house. They smell very bad, and are very vocal when they are in love. In bad weather, or occasionally when following a particularly good source of fishboat offal Mollymawks will come right into the Halfmoon or Horseshoe Bay wharfs.
In the appropriate season many different species of native orchids can be found, many of them growing in quite stunning profusion on our road sides. As an aside the local road man goes out of his way to schedule roadside maintenance to cause least disturbance, and as a bonus this also produces an ideal habitat for many species. 
The larger rata, kamahi and manuka flowering seasons can be quite spectacular, as can the smaller and less obvious trees, shrubs and vines. Some of these things are of course quite seasonal, and for others they are wild creatures and thus quite unpredictable. Which we think adds to the excitement. We have seen lots of Kiwi for example, but we still get excited when we see one, and as much as possible we like to share this with our guests
- The Local Museum……. gives a glimpse of the Island communities past. It’s open most mornings..
- DoC (Dept of Conservation) Visitor Centre. ……. DoC have a great display including Audio Visual and static displays..
- Glowing Skies….. Locally designed high class casual clothing..
Stewart Island Gift Shop…… Crafts with an Island Theme..- Jade (Greenstone)…… Jade carving class and display of Jade Art.. Make your own Jade Treasure under the guidance of a master carver
- Fishing….. Off a rock or on a fishing charter…..catch your supper
Stewart Island is a walkers paradise
- Local…….. From a few minutes along the graded metal paths of Raroa Reserve and the Fuchsia Walk, to a couple of hours around the Deep Bay Track, Ackers Point or perhaps to Kaipipi Inlet along the old mill road. Every corner opens vistas of serene native forest or deserted beaches. A great way to enjoy a few hours.
- Observation Rock……. 3 minutes walk from Sails Ashore, enjoy our wonderful sunsets. Rakiura means “Land of Glowing Skies”
- Ulva Island Open Sanctuary……. is an absolute must do. The trails are metaled (suitable for handicapped visitors) and very easy. Enjoy the guided experience with Sails Guided Walks or explore the island solo, using the DoC interpretive booklet.
- The Rakiura Track…… is three days easy to moderate stroll (DoC Huts available) through forest and along coastal tracks. Very popular. (This is a NZ Great Walk) Guests at Sails Ashore and Kowhai Lane Lodge enjoy complimentary drop off at the start of the walk, as well as free gear storage while on the track.
- The Northern Circuit.……. This is the “Biggie”, and involves at least 8 days. DoC Huts are available 4 to 8 hours apart. There is a real chance of seeing Kiwi and the scenery is just stunning. This track requires a high level of fitness and experience. Guests at Sails Ashore and Kowhai Lane Lodge enjoy complimentary drop off at the start of the walk, as well as free gear storage while on the track.
- Mt Rakiahua…….. A superb full day trip, which is totally dependent on tide and weather. The views are just stunning and well worth the climb. Requires a reasonable level of fitness.
Eating out is a great part of Travelling.
And if Seafood is your thing, then Stewart Island offers some great choices.
Please note prices may change without warning
We strongly suggest you use the contact details for the various restaurants and make your first night dinner reservations at the least. This can be very important as with limited numbers of tables in the village it is not unknown for them to be booked out.
Evening meal reservations is guests responsibility and we accept no responsibility for table cancellations.
South Seas Hotel has an excellent table, and their fish chowder is superb.
Click to Read South Seas Hotel Menu …….
Contact the hotel at southsea@stewart-island.co.nz Ph +64 3 219 1059
The Kai Kart A play on the Maori word “Kai” … food ….. and that old New Zealand icon, the “Pie Cart”.
Pie Carts were a feature of rural town and city life each weekend. Turning out great takeaways and eat in meals.. Now we call them food trucks,
And Sue’s Kai Kart is excellent, Open most middays and evenings during the summer
Fin & Feather Gourmet food at your finger tips
Facebook Page
Ph 0272 587 646
12 Main Rd, Oban,
Stewart Island
Are you planning on doing one of the “several day” tracks??
If so we can give you free secure storage for extra gear, as long as you’re staying with us before and after the hike. And we’ll drop you at Lee Bay at the start of your hike. No Charge
Two excellent longer hikes are very popular
Port William to the Village
This is the first day of the Rakiura Track, one of DoC’s “Great Walks. We’ve never sent a guest on it who hasn’t raved about it. The track itself is of a very high standard, metalled and with well formed steps. It takes about half a day, and involves a water taxi ride to Port William, and then a walk back to the village via Lee Bay
Mason Bay “Coast to Coast”
This is a full day walk and involves a plane flight, 4 hour walk from Mason Bay to Freshwater Landing, and then a water taxi ride down Paterson Inlet to Halfmoon Bay. As it require a low tide to land on Mason Bay, and High tide to boat the Freshwater river the walk requires more or less a full day. Tides will sometimes dictate the journey be done ” The other way”.
Its a great days walk, and traverses quite a different landscape to the Port William Track.
A Scenic Flight
On a nice day, a scenic flight is a great way to see the more remote parts of the Island.
The slide show is of a flight of around 90 minutes, But you can have what ever duration suits your timetable and budget,
Contact Stewart Island Flights
Stewart Island Electricity is generated using diesel fuel
Sails Ashore is Solar Powered
But we now produce 100 % of our electrical needs, and are completely "Off Grid", Excess electricity is used to heat our domestic hot water and central heating system and this has cut our non renewable heating fuel usage to around 20% of pre solar.. All cooking is electric, no more LPG. See More .......
Kowhai Lane is also Solar powered,
Kowhai Lane is "Grid Tied" Excess production is used to heat water. Production beyond the house requirements is exported, thus cutting diesel use in the wider grid. At night Kowhai Lane Lodge receives power from the grid.
Like Sails Ashore, all cooking is electric,,,,, No LPG
Sails Ashore, Kowhai Lane & Sails Tours
11 View Street,
Stewart Island, 9846
NEW ZEALAND
+64 3 219 1151
Email: tait@sailsashore.co.nz
Web: www.sailsashore.co.nz