Stewart Island Information

Facts about stewart island information New Zealand accommodation transport and tours

Stewart Island, the southern-most island of New Zealand, is a mere dot on the map (if it appears at all). Don't be fooled. Stewart Island is large, 64 km long, and 40 km across (at its widest point). It has a 700 km coastline, but there are only 20 km of roads! You won't walk round the Island in a day. Even ten days tramping only skirts the northern third. Few people can claim to have seen anywhere near the whole of Stewart Island. However, there is much to see, even close to the only settlement of Oban. Consider a longer stay, as the range of accommodation is very good. Some visitors from twenty years ago are still living here.

Terrain is rugged. Stewart Island is made of granite, some of the oldest rock in New Zealand. A wide range of minerals are present, though not in commercial quantities. Tin was mined at Port Pegasus for a few years in the 1890's. There is  black iron sand on some beaches although others are white with quartz or red with garnet.