A wide variety of birdwatching and kiwi spotting tours, guided walks and cruises on Stewart Island and Ulva Island to suit your interests and abilities for beginners to experienced birdwatchers. Enjoy the thrill of seeking out and observing birds and kiwi in the wild. Learn interesting facts from our knowledgeable and passionate guides.

Experience an encounter in the wild with a kiwi, our national bird, on our evening walk or an overnight journey.  

For a list of birds in the Stewart Island area refer to Birds Seen.

Combine tours to maximise your birding experience. 

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Ulva Island Birds & Forest Tour

Ulva Island Birds & Forest Tour

A must do trip - highly recommended. An in-depth tour on predator-free Ulva Island with our passionate and knowledgeable local guides. Wander through lush primeval rainforest, view native ferns, orchids and podocarp trees. Enjoy close encounters with rare and endangered birds, listen to exquisite birdsong. Walk on easy well-formed tracks and short beaches. Experience our exclusive walk to The Snuggery on full day tours. Some great photo opportunities of scenery, birds and flora.

Duration 4.5 or 8.5 hrs (or shorter 3.5 hrs)
Fitness Reasonable (3.5 or 4.5 hrs) to Good (8.5 hrs)
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Evening Eco Watch / Kiwi Spotting

Evening Eco Watch / Kiwi Spotting

Gain a true appreciation for New Zealand's national bird - the kiwi - its physical features and behaviour. Search as night falls for kiwi, listen out for their calls and other night sounds. Enjoy the spectacle of southern stars on clear nights. We offer an highly informative nature experience with a strong level of empathy and minimal disturbance of kiwi. Prior bookings essential.

Duration Approx. 3 hours (2 hours now available)
Fitness Reasonable
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Kiwi Journey

Kiwi Journey

Journey in the footsteps of kiwi at stunning Mason Bay and along the Freshwater Valley in search of kiwi and other endemic birds. Enjoy breathtaking scenery. High possibility of daytime kiwi. Experience a stay in a backcountry hut or camp. Cruise the primeval Freshwater River.

Duration 2 Days + 1 Night
Fitness Good
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Paterson Inlet Wildlife Cruise

Paterson Inlet Wildlife Cruise

A delightful, leisurely wildlife cruise around the Eastern shore and entrance of Paterson Inlet with some beautiful coastal scenery. We actively seek penguins, albatrosses (mollymawks and Southern Royal's), other seabirds, sea lions and fur seals and dolphins when present. Great photo opportunities with close views of most of the wildlife. Our knowledgeable skipper will share interesting facts of the wildlife seen with information on the areas visited.

Duration 2.5 hours
Fitness Reasonable
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Ulva Island Birding

Ulva Island Birding

Our delightful Ulva Island tour focusing on birdlife. Highly informative, interesting and fun. View saddleback, yellowhead, robin, rifleman, red and yellow-crowned parakeet, kaka (parrot), weka, brown creeper, penguins and other native birds. Kiwi are seen occasionally. Listen to exquisite birdsong. Guided by local, experienced guides in small groups.

Duration 4.5 or 8.5 hrs (or shorter 3.5 hrs)
Fitness Reasonable (3.5 hrs or 4.5 hrs) to Good (8.5 hrs)
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Kiwi, Dunes & Beach

Kiwi, Dunes & Beach

Experience the real wilderness of Stewart Island whilst search for kiwi. Fly to Mason Bay, overnight at hut or camp. Time to explore the stunning natural environment, dunes and beach. Hike the Freshwater Valley. Cruise the primeval Freshwater River. Variety of native birds, plants and orchids.

Duration 3 days + 2 nights
Fitness Good
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Pelagic Birding Tours

Pelagic Birding Tours

Take our 3 hour trip along coastal waters of Stewart Island to view a variety of seabirds at close quarters including handsome albatrosses, petrels, skua, shearwaters, prions, yellow-eyed, blue and Fiordland crested penguins and cormorants.

Duration 3 hours
Fitness Reasonable
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Birding Road Tour

Birding Road Tour

A lovely, enjoyable, informative tour, seeking out a variety of native and endemic birds close to our village. Visiting several destinations by road with short 5 - 15 minute walks. Take in scenic views along the way and beautiful coastal scenery.

Duration 2 hours
Fitness Reasonable
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Trip Good for Birders Duration Fitness Adult NZD p.p. Child NZD p.p.
Ulva Island
Ulva Island Birds & Forest Tour
Half day - 4.5 hours 		Yes 4.5 hours * Reasonable $180 $130
Ulva Island Birds & Forest Tour
Half day - 3.5 hours 		Yes 3.5 hours Reasonable $165 $115
Ulva Island Birds & Forest Tour
Full day 		Yes 8.5 hours* Good $350 $250
Ulva Island Birding
Half day - 4.5 hours 		Yes 4.5 hours * Reasonable $180 $130
Ulva Island Birding
Half day - 3.5 hours 		Yes 3.5 hours Reasonable $165 $115
Ulva Island Birding
Full day tour 		Yes 8.5 hours* Good $350 $250
Stewart Island
Evening Eco Watch / Kiwi Spotting
2 hours 		Kiwi 2 hours Reasonable $145 $95
Evening Eco Watch / Kiwi Spotting
3 hours 		Kiwi Approx. 3 hours Reasonable $165 $110
Kiwi Journey
Boat in / out 		Kiwi + Other 2 days + 1 night Good $1210 $1060
Kiwi Journey
Fly in / boat out 		Kiwi + Other 2 days + 1 night Good $1420 $1150
Paterson Inlet Wildlife Cruise Yes 2.5 hours Reasonable $175 $130
Kiwi, Dunes & Beach Kiwi + Other 3 days + 2 nights Good $1930 $1585
Pelagic Birding Tours Yes 3 hours Reasonable $190 $150
Birding Road Tour Yes 2 hours Reasonable $120 $75

* Ulva Island tours are of slightly shorter duration during the off-season. Refer to tour pages for timings.

PRICING INFORMATION

All prices include GST (good and services tax).
Child rates apply from 5 to 14 years of age.
Rates shown above are valid to June 2025.  Rates for July 2025 to June 2026 will be published in July 2025, or please enquire.